Vaughn College to Train FAA Air Traffic Controllers Amidst Shortage

New FAA Controller Training Program

• ✈️ Vaughn College in Queens is now an official training site for new FAA air traffic controllers as part of a nationwide program.
• 💡 This initiative aims to address the concerning nationwide controller shortage by expanding training capacity.

On-Campus Training Benefits

• 🎓 Sophomore Omaris Romero highlights the advantage of training on campus, allowing her to stay home while pursuing FAA certification.
• 🏫 Previously, new FAA controllers had to complete a 3-month training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City.
• 📍 Vaughn College will be the fifth institution and the first in the Northeast to offer this on-campus training.

Program Details and Oversight

• 🎯 The program is designed to streamline the training process and leverage the FAA Academy's limitations.
• 🧠 Instructors at Vaughn, including retired controllers, believe the localized training can be as effective, if not better, than the academy.
• 📝 The FAA will oversee the curriculum, with Vaughn instructors teaching FAA-hired graduates.
• 🗓️ Vaughn College is aiming to start training new controllers as early as September.

Addressing Regional Shortages

• ⚠️ The program is expected to improve the pipeline of controllers for New York's air traffic control centers, which have been particularly affected by the shortage.
• 🌐 New hires will still require years of additional training at FAA-assigned centers after completing the initial program.