| A radar distance learning program needs to be | | | | Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). The |
| approved by the FAA to have value. There is a big | | | | FAA-approved colleges may not provide radar |
| demand for radar operators and technicians in the | | | | distance learning programs. |
| military, as well as in the civilian world. The majority of | | | | After enrolling in an FAA-accredited program, students |
| civilian air traffic controllers are employed by the FAA | | | | must take the FAAs authorized pre-employment test. |
| (Federal Aviation Administration). | | | | You must receive a qualifying score in the |
| In the military, radar operators are responsible for | | | | FAA-approved pre-employment test, complete the |
| determining the position of ships, tracking aircraft and | | | | FAA-approved program and receive an official school |
| missiles, directing artillery fire, forecasting the weather | | | | recommendation, to be eligible for employment by the |
| and aiding navigation. Radar operators also play a very | | | | FAA. |
| important role as civilian air traffic controllers, ship | | | | FAA-Approved Courses |
| navigators and service technicians. | | | | Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology has |
| To become an FAA air traffic controller, you need to | | | | formed a partnership with the FAA, which is called the |
| be a US citizen and be less than 30 years of age. It | | | | Air Traffic Control - Collegiate Training Initiative |
| helps if your high school subjects included science, | | | | program. This program is meant to academically |
| algebra and geometry. A radar distance learning | | | | prepare students who are interested in a career in air |
| program from a college that is not approved by the | | | | traffic control. |
| FAA may not have much value. | | | | The Department of Aviation at Hampton University |
| Training | | | | offers a Bachelor of Science Degree program in Air |
| The military provides classroom training as well as on | | | | Traffic Control. This is one of the programs that have |
| the job training to help you to operate and maintain the | | | | been approved by the FAA. |
| equipment, identify aircraft, missiles, ships and | | | | A radar distance learning program that is not approved |
| submarines. You are also taught to compute the | | | | by the FAA may not help you to find employment as |
| direction, speed and altitude of an aircraft, or missile. | | | | an air traffic controller. So be sure to find out if the one |
| At present, the FAA hires people who have graduated | | | | you are interested in has such approval. If it is |
| from 14 approved schools across the US. The list of | | | | approved, investigate it further to determine whether it |
| approved schools is available on the FAA website, as | | | | meets your other needs as well. |
| well as on the on the website of the National Air | | | | |