Guest ContributorThe Federal Aviation Administration announced last week that it has chosen Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott campus as the first school in Arizona to join the Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program, marking a significant expansion of the state’s role in strengthening the nation’s aviation workforce.
Embry-Riddle Prescott becomes just the ninth institution nationwide authorized to provide the advanced curriculum and training technology previously available only at the FAA’s Air Traffic Controller Academy in Oklahoma City. Students who complete the Enhanced AT-CTI program and meet FAA standards can transition directly into on-site facility training, bypassing portions of the traditional academy process.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the initiative reflects the FAA’s commitment to modernizing its workforce pipeline.
“We’re taking aggressive action at the FAA to recruit the best and brightest into our controller workforce by making the training process more efficient than ever,” Duffy said. “These jobs are critical to keeping our skies safe, and with the expansion of our training capabilities through Enhanced AT-CTI schools, we are bolstering our aviation workforce and ushering in a higher volume of controllers beyond our previous capabilities.”
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford highlighted Embry-Riddle’s role in preparing the next generation of controllers.
“The safety of the National Airspace System is our number one priority, and the Enhanced AT-CTI program will help build the next generation of air traffic controllers,” Bedford said.
Arizona’s growing role in aviation
Embry-Riddle President P. Barry Butler said the FAA’s approval of both the Prescott and Daytona Beach campuses underscores the university’s strong training standards.
“Having both Air Traffic Management programs at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach and Prescott campuses approved for this critical FAA initiative demonstrates the high level of training and education Embry-Riddle provides,” Butler said. “We are proud to see our highly skilled, professional graduates immediately join the controller ranks for training to keep air traffic moving safely and efficiently.”
Grace Applebe, executive director of the Arizona Manufacturers Council, said the announcement sends a strong signal about Arizona’s role as a hub for advanced aviation technology and workforce development.
“The FAA’s decision to bring the Enhanced AT-CTI program to Embry-Riddle Prescott highlights Arizona’s growing reputation as a center for aviation and aerospace excellence,” she said. “Companies making decisions about where to invest in next-generation technology see that Arizona not only offers the right business climate but also the talent pipeline to sustain long-term growth.”
The FAA has stepped up its recruitment and training efforts in response to increased demand for air traffic controllers. During its most recent “Supercharge” hiring campaign, the agency received more than 10,000 applications, with over 8,300 moving forward to testing. In August, more than 600 students were in training at the FAA Academy, the highest number in the agency’s history. The Enhanced AT-CTI program aims to accelerate this pipeline by leveraging partner institutions like Embry-Riddle. Students must still pass rigorous testing, medical, and security requirements before reporting directly to FAA facilities for hands-on training.
Image courtesy Embry-Riddle Prescott – Embry-Riddle Image Repository, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29442337
Danny Seiden
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