How a NY College Became a Crucial Hub for Air Traffic Control

SCHENECTADY, NY – August 26, 2026 – On Monday, a visit from United States Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy to a community college in upstate New York did more than just create a local photo opportunity. It cast a national spotlight on a burgeoning solution to one of American aviation's most pressing problems: a critical and sustained shortage of air traffic controllers.

Secretary Duffy’s tour of SUNY Schenectady County Community College’s advanced Air Traffic Control (ATC) Simulator Lab was a clear endorsement of the school’s central role in the federal strategy to rebuild the nation's controller workforce. “The Trump Administration is delivering on our promise to supercharge the air traffic controller pipeline,” Duffy stated during his visit. “It was incredible to see firsthand the work being done at SUNY Schenectady to equip the next generation of controllers who will keep our skies safe.”

His visit highlights a strategic shift in how the U.S. is training the professionals who manage its increasingly crowded skies. Instead of relying solely on its own centralized academy, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is now partnering with a select group of elite collegiate programs to create a more robust and accessible pipeline—and SUNY Schenectady is at the forefront of this new model.

An Answer to a National Call

The need for this new approach is undeniable. According to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) review, the FAA’s controller workforce had shrunk by about 6% at the end of 2025 compared to a decade prior, even as the number of flights handled by the system grew by 10%. This staffing crisis has contributed to flight delays, controller fatigue, and concerns over the long-term resilience of the national airspace system.

In response, the FAA has been hiring aggressively, bringing on 1,500 controllers in 2023 and over 1,800 in 2024. But hiring is only half the battle; training is a long and intensive process. This is where the Enhanced Air Traffic–Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) comes in. Launched in late 2024, the program authorizes select institutions to deliver the same rigorous curriculum and training found at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City.

SUNY Schenectady is one of only 11 colleges and universities—and just four community colleges—in the nation to earn this “Enhanced” designation. The distinction is crucial. Graduates from these programs who pass the requisite exams and background checks can bypass the initial, months-long basic training in Oklahoma City and report directly to an FAA facility for on-the-job training. This shaves significant time off the journey from student to certified controller, directly addressing the urgent need for qualified personnel in towers across the country.

Inside the Tower: A Technological Edge

The centerpiece of SUNY Schenectady’s program, and a major draw for Secretary Duffy's visit, is its ATC simulator. Billed as the largest and most comprehensive east of the Mississippi River, the lab is a high-tech marvel designed to replicate the pressures and complexities of a real control tower. It features three tower stations surrounded by seven 75-inch monitors that create a 215-degree immersive view, four radar TRACON stations for approach control scenarios, and seven remote pilot stations where students can provide real human voice responses.

This technology allows students to train for a wide range of situations, from sunny days to winter storms, in a controlled environment. “The simulator we use in our classes has definitely given me much-needed hands-on experience to understand what’s going on visually,” said Jason Winston, a second-year student who relocated from Massachusetts for the program. “It’s a good representation of what I will be seeing in the field.”

The collegiate model itself offers a significant pedagogical advantage. While the FAA Academy is an intensive two- to five-month sprint, the two-year associate degree program at SUNY Schenectady allows students to learn at a more deliberate pace. This provides more time for in-depth exploration of complex topics, hundreds of hours of additional simulation time, and the development of crucial mentor relationships with faculty, who are themselves seasoned aviation professionals.

“We were proud to showcase our Enhanced AT-CTI degree program,” said Dr. Nicole Reaves, President of SUNY Schenectady. “SUNY Schenectady is at the forefront of training the next generation of air traffic controllers as we help fill the need for qualified controllers nationwide.”

Opening the Door: Accessibility and Opportunity

Perhaps the most significant impact of programs like SUNY Schenectady’s is their role in democratizing access to this demanding but rewarding career. Recognizing that financial barriers can deter talent, the college has leveraged state and federal programs to make the path to the control tower more accessible than ever.

This semester, the program was approved for VA tuition benefits under the GI Bill. For students like Johnathan Leung, a U.S. Navy Reservist and first-year ATC student, the impact is life-changing. “If I had to put in one word what it means to receive the VA tuition benefits this semester, I would say ‘relief,’” Leung shared. With his tuition and books covered and a housing allowance provided, he said, “I can focus full time on college and the financial side of things is for the most part covered. That takes away a lot of stress for sure.”

Furthermore, the program is now part of the SUNY Reconnect initiative, which offers free tuition to eligible New Yorkers between the ages of 25 and 55 who are seeking to earn their first college degree. This opens a direct pathway for adult learners and career-changers to enter a high-demand federal career with significant earning potential.

By combining cutting-edge technology with deep-seated faculty expertise and a strategic focus on financial accessibility, SUNY Schenectady is not just educating students; it is building a vital piece of national infrastructure. For students like Leung, the mission is clear and motivating. “The career itself seems amazing,” he said. “Air traffic control is a teamwork-based career that I am excited to be a part of.”