New program looks to fill air traffic controller need

BARTOW, Fla. — The Polk County School District is hoping a new state-of-the-art program can help fill the need for air traffic controllers in the county and nationwide.

The past few weeks have been busy for students in the control tower operator program at Traviss Technical College.

They’re learning the ins and outs of the demanding air traffic control industry. For students like Macklin Deangelo, this program has allowed him to find a career he enjoys.

His favorite part has been stepping into the control tower.

“Being able to look out over the airfield and a pattern that is being actively controlled, it was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen,“ he said.

Bartow Executive Airport is the current home of the program. No experience in the aviation industry is necessary to enroll.

Students like Isaiah Cruz receive hands-on training that will prepare them for a future career.

“This course is giving me a lot of knowledge that I never knew and it’s very interesting to know all the intricate different ways you can talk to pilots and all the commands you can tell them,“ he said.

The ten-month program includes an academics portion and simulation trainings.

“We focus on each section of becoming an air traffic controller individually and definitely whenever the students show that they have the aptitude for it then we start trickling them up to the tower to get them live air traffic control time,” said Randy Clayton, the chief instructor of the Control Tower Operator program.

Program leaders say this will help fill positions quicker, because typically entry-level applicants must complete several months of training and additional job experience before being placed in an air traffic controller position.

The FAA reports a total of more than 6,000 current employees will leave the industry from now until 2028.

Officials with the program are hoping to reduce the impact, while attracting more students to the aviation industry.

“You got to understand a lot about this industry and about the planes that you’re working with in order to be an effective controller, “says Macklin.

The goal is to get more eyes on the sky to keep pilots and passengers safe.

Once students are certified they can apply to the FAA as a prior experience applicant to help place them in air traffic control positions.