The United States is facing a shortage of approximately 3,000 air traffic controllers as many trainees quit before completing their certification, contributing to travel delays at airports across the country this summer.
The Federal Aviation Administration’s training facility in Oklahoma City serves as the sole location where the agency trains new controllers, but the program faces significant challenges with about 35% of students failing to complete the intensive three-month course. If someone fails, they are not eligible to try again, according to Chris Wilbanks, who oversees training and the FAA’s efforts to address the controller shortage.
“It’s one and done,” Wilbanks said.
The FAA is working to reduce its training washout rate by adding a mentoring program to help students during their roughly three months at the FAA training center.
The agency has also streamlined the application process, and expects more than 2,000 students this year — the most ever.
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Author: Dillon B
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