DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students are set to take a big leap into their careers, thanks to a groundbreaking Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) program.

For the first time, graduates will have the opportunity to step directly into air traffic control towers immediately after graduation.

At Embry-Riddle’s Air Traffic Control (ATC) labs, students gain hands-on experience that allows them to bypass several FAA Academy requirements. This innovative approach means they can transition directly into the workforce, a major change from the traditional path.

Watch the video below to see how high-tech labs are helping a national shortage of traffic controllers.

Kyra Hanson is among the first four graduates of Embry-Riddle’s Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training program. She described to News 6 her excitement about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

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“That’s where I find the fun in it, that’s where the challenge is,” Hanson said. “I think that’s what appeals to a lot of people: the creative problem-solving. It’s never going to be the same.”

Previously, graduates faced a lengthy wait before being hired as air traffic controllers, often taking years to secure positions. Now, they can be hired immediately by the FAA, bypassing the typical three to four months spent at the FAA Academy.

“They can be immediately hired into the FAA, completely eliminating that one-to-two-year bureaucratic backlog,” said Mike McCormick, an air traffic management expert at Embry-Riddle.

With a national air traffic controller shortage, this program could expedite the hiring process, ensuring that graduates are ready to take to the tower.

“If the FAA continues its current trajectory, when you factor in retirement and other attrition, we’ll have a net increase of 200 controllers between now and 2032,” said Robert Sumwalt, executive director at the Center for Aviation & Aerospace Safety at Embry-Riddle.

Filling these gaps quickly is crucial for enhancing safety and efficiency in air travel. More controllers mean more eyes on the runways, allowing for additional flights and fewer ground stops for passengers.

On top of the immediate career opportunities, the job of an air traffic controller comes with attractive benefits.

“The median salary for an air traffic controller in the United States is over $150,000 a year. It’s a great career to be in,” McCormick noted.

With the program now up and running, Embry-Riddle anticipates graduating between 60 – 120 students each year, further contributing to the future of air traffic control.