FAA convenes inaugural Western Service Area Regional Council to expand air traffic controller pipelines
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Summary
FAA leaders and CTI/ECTI partner schools held the first Western Service Area Regional Council meeting to align K–12, higher education and industry on air traffic control career pathways, hiring pools, training costs and timelines for enhanced CTI certification.
The Federal Aviation Administration convened its first Western Service Area Regional Council to coordinate regional education and workforce efforts aimed at easing projected shortages in air traffic control and other aerospace careers. Rao, the FAA program manager for the Aviation Workforce and Education Division, opened the meeting and said the councils "serve as focused convening spaces where the FAA and educational leaders come together to strengthen the nation's aviation and aerospace workforce."
FAA officials framed the session around practical pathways into air traffic control, from high-school dual-enrollment to collegiate training initiative programs and the FAA Academy. Chrissy Garrison of Aviation Careers described the application steps applicants must follow on USAJOBS, the role of the ATSA (Air Traffic Skills Assessment), and the security and medical clearances required after a tentative offer. "If you are found qualified for the announcement, you will be sent to take the ATSA testing," she said, and warned candidates that failure to complete clearances on time can remove them from the hiring process.
Speakers from four CTI or ECTI institutions—University of Alaska Anchorage, Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University (Prescott), Metropolitan State University of Denver and Green River College—summarized program offerings, simulators and outreach efforts. Raymond Weber of UAA noted the school’s simulation capabilities and said UAA is pursuing enhanced CTI certifications with a tower inspection planned for spring 2026 and en route certification targeted for spring 2027. "The full program runs about 22,000," Weber said when asked about student costs, adding that the figure excludes room and board.
Panelists emphasized multiple entry points and alternative career pathways for students who choose not to become controllers, including aviation maintenance, dispatcher roles and flight service station positions. Chad Kendall of Metropolitan State University of Denver described dual-enrollment partnerships and hands-on opportunities that include shadowing at Denver Center and Denver International Airport. "We put our pilots into fundamentals of ATC curriculum," he said, describing cross-disciplinary training intended to broaden career options.
The meeting closed with FAA staff urging continued local and regional engagement and directing attendees to shared QR-code resources and contact lists for follow-up. Rao said the councils are intended as a starting point for further conversations between educators, community organizations and industry about expanding access to aviation careers.