Report says changes needed at FAA's air traffic controller training center in OKC

Dale Denwalt, The Oklahoman
Luther "Dewayne" Davis, right, coaches Transportation Secy. Pete Buttigieg during an air traffic controller simulation at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City during a visit in March 2023.
Luther "Dewayne" Davis, right, coaches Transportation Secy. Pete Buttigieg during an air traffic controller simulation at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City during a visit in March 2023.

Oklahoma City's Federal Aviation Administration training center for air traffic controllers could see significant changes after a report describing the nation's shortage of people tasked with controlling the airspace.

The FAA Academy in Oklahoma City is the agency's principal training facility for air traffic controllers.

The National Airspace System Safety Review Team report published in November identified bottlenecks at the FAA Academy that prevent the FAA from training enough controllers to meet demand. On the current trajectory, the nation will only see a modest increase by 2032.

The team recommended the academy's culture, training atmosphere and teaching methods be examined to find out whether those factors cause pilots to wash out of the program.

Officials recommended the facility increase hours of operation and hire more instructors and reduce outdated curriculum. The FAA was also told to consider offering courses virtually and at other facilities across the country.

The report found a failure rate of over 30% for air traffic controller trainees.

How the FAA will address air traffic control training issues outlined in report

When the report was released, FAA quickly announced several measures it would take immediately:

  • Provide additional support to colleges and universities that have their own ATC training programs

  • Creation of a year-round hiring track for experienced controllers from the military and private industry

  • Fill every seat at FAA Academy and increase classroom capacity beyond current limits

  • Expand the use of advanced training across the country, particularly at new facilities in Chicago, San Diego, Phoenix and Nashua, New Hampshire

  • Deploy tower simulator systems in 95 facilities by December 2025, with the first in Austin opening next month

Last spring, the Biden Administration proposed increasing the number of trainees to 1,800 in 2024, up 300 from what was expected to graduate this year.

The need for a boost in air traffic controllers is part of a nationwide push to build up the country's infrastructure capabilities after the passage of President Joe Biden's 2021 $1 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. In a visit to Oklahoma City and the FAA center, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Biden's infrastructure priorities will test the nation's productive capacity.

More: FAA says no to proposal to build new county jail near Will Rogers World Airport

The controller shortage is already testing the limits of capacity in the skies. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the union that represents air traffic control employees, told USA Today this year that understaffing at airport towers seems to contribute to many of the near-misses that grabbed the nation's attention in recent months.

According to the union, air traffic controllers in many facilities are working mandatory overtime with 10-hour shifts six days per week.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: FAA considering changes at its OKC air traffic control training center

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