Current Trends in Air Traffic Controller Recruitment and Training

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) currently employs approximately 15,000 air traffic controllers (FAA, 2004). Over the next 10 years, more than 11,000 members of the air traffic control (ATC) workforce will become eligible to retire (FAA, 2004). How is the FAA planning to offset this impending wave of retirements? In December 2004, the FAA announced its plan to hire 12,500 air traffic controllers over the next 10 years (FAA, 2004). Figure 1 displays projected controller losses and hires through the year 2013