Overview
- The FAA unveiled a gamer‑focused recruitment ad Friday and said applications open April 17, with the window closing after 8,000 people apply or by April 27.
- The agency reports about 11,000 certified controllers and roughly 4,000 trainees, short of a full‑staffing goal near 14,663.
- Officials say certification can take up to six years, though onboarding has been cut to about six and a half months and washout rates have improved, with noticeable staffing gains projected in two and a half to three years.
- The pitch leans on gaming‑built focus and fast decisions and advertises about $155,000 after three years, with applicants required to be under 31, U.S. citizens, and fluent in English.
- NATCA, the controllers’ union, supports broader outreach as long as rigorous selection and training are preserved, as a GAO report found controller ranks fell about 6% over the past decade while flights rose roughly 10%.