The Federal Aviation Administration recently announced its approval for the Air Traffic Control Program at Texas State Technical College (TSTC).
Of the 36 schools in the country that offer the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative, TSTC is now the only public college in Texas to offer the program.
“This is great news for Texas State Technical College and for the students of Texas, who now have expanded opportunities to train for critically needed air traffic control jobs,” said Gov. Rick Perry.
The air traffic control program adds to TSTC’s wide variety of aviation and aerospace fields of study. TSTC currently offers aircraft pilot training, aviation maintenance technology and avionics technology curricula.
“Texas has a rich history of aviation,” U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison said. “This announcement designating Texas State Technical College Waco as an Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative school continues this storied tradition while broadening the number of innovative educational programs for our students. With more than 40 percent of air traffic controllers hired from Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative schools, this designation will not only open the door to more job opportunities for these graduates but it will ensure that Texas continues to play a critical role in safe, efficient air travel in our state and across America.”
The new facility will have a formal groundbreaking ceremony in May with construction expected to be completed in the fall of 2011. Students already can register for the program which begins this fall.
“I’m very pleased to report that TSTC has been approved as an air traffic collegiate training initiative school – one of only 36 in the country and the only public college in Texas,” said Jeff Beene, Director of Aerospace Technologies at TSTC. “Our first class will enter this fall, and registration is open now.”
For more information, please visit their Web site at http://www.waco.tstc.edu/apt/air_traffic_control/index. php .
