Welcome to Air Traffic Control

A website for and about Air Traffic Controllers in the United States

Here you can:

• View details about all FAA Air Traffic Control Facilities in the US.
• View a database of all airline call signs authorized in the US.
• View a glossary of terms used in air traffic control.
• Learn how to apply to become an air traffic controller.
• View the FAA payroll calendar.

Why Air Traffic Control?

Air traffic control is an attractive career for many reasons:

• It is lucrative (view salaries), often ranking among the highest-paid jobs obtainable without a college degree. (Although having a college degree is very helpful in qualifying you if you don't have work experience.)
• In the US, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the primary employer of air traffic controllers. Along with federal employment comes solid benefits and very good job security.
• One of the more unique benefits is the ability to retire at age 50 or after 20 years of service with a generous pension plan.
• Air traffic controllers have a strong labor union.
• The work can't "come home" with you; there are no after-hours phone calls, emails, or other stressors once you are off the clock.
• Many people enjoy aviation and seeing how things work behind-the-scenes is interesting.
• The government hires you and pays you while you are in training, in contrast with the typical scenario where you pay for your own certification/education before getting hired for a job.