Air Traffic Control, Associate of Applied Science
The Air Traffic Control degree prepares graduates for employment as Air Traffic Controllers, Flight Service Station Specialists and for careers in a host of aviation-related industries. Air Traffic Controllers guide pilots to their destinations and are responsible for the safe and orderly flow of aircraft in congested airspace. Flight Service Station Specialists assist pilots in flight planning by providing air traffic delay and weather condition briefings and by disseminating important route and airport information. Many of these positions are with the federal government, and individuals may be required to pass a physical evaluation and qualifying exam.
The Air Traffic Control degree is one of 30 programs approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under the Air Traffic Control Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) and is specifically designed to prepare students for work in airport control towers, Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facilities, and Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC).
This is an FAA Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program. Students considering applying for this program should read the CCBC AT-CTI Handbook available on the CCBC website at www.ccbcmd.edu/aviation.
Some aviation classes have lab fees. Fees are subject to change at the discretion of the Community College of Baltimore County.
Program objectives
Upon successful completion of this degree option, students will be able to:
- secure employment in the FAA Air Traffic Controller workforce;
- coordinate and regulate the flow of air traffic at all levels of airport density;
- interpret flight plans and flight data to manage air traffic patterns;
- function effectively and efficiently in a team;
- monitor and communicate to pilots changing weather conditions;
- apply FAA and NTSB regulations and other aeronautical and security guidelines appropriately in various aviation and safety settings; and
- speak and communicate clearly and decisively using standard industry pilot-controller phraseology.
