10/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/07/2024 09:25
GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven issued the following statement after the University of North Dakota (UND) submitted its application to the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program. Hoeven has been working to secure the aviation school's role in the new program, part of his broader efforts to address the air traffic controller (ATC) shortage. Specifically, this effort will allow UND's ATC programgraduates to move directly into the workforce rather than attending the FAA's ATC Academy in Oklahoma:
"Air traffic controllers are an essential part of our nation's ability to provide safe, timely air service, and the ongoing labor shortages in this area constrain the operations of airports across the country. The good news is that we have a world-class aviation school at UND, which is primed and ready to tackle this demand for a qualified ATC workforce. As an existing AT-CTI school, UND is well-positioned to move into this new enhanced training initiative, which is a great opportunity for its students to get into the workforce more quickly, bypassing the need to go the ATC Academy in Oklahoma," said Senator Hoeven. "That's why we've been working to secure UND's leadership in this program, having raised this priority with both the Transportation Secretary and the FAA Administrator. With the school's application now submitted to the FAA, we continue our efforts to move this process forward, and ensure the site visit and all required steps are successfully completed in time to begin this program at UND in 2025."
"We are looking forward to working with the FAA in getting our program approved and graduating Enhanced AT-CTI students to help alleviate the controller shortage," said Craig Carlson, Associate Professor of Aviation, who has been leading the application efforts at UND. "We appreciate Senator Hoeven and his team for working with us to make this opportunity a reality, which leverages UND's expertise in aviation to provide a great career opportunity to North Dakota students, while addressing a critical national need."
Addressing the ATC Shortage
The FAA reauthorization bill includes legislation Hoeven cosponsored that requires the FAA to use a more accurate staffing model developed by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association and the FAA's Air Traffic Organization. The bill also sets an updated minimum hiring target for new air traffic controllers.
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