Experience question about FCT

chris13650 Senior Member

I know most of the FCT have a requirement of 6-24 months experience to apply. I am with the ANG and will only have about 8 months of experience working up to my CTO, followed by 1-2 months being rated once my active duty orders are up. Does anyone know if my experience counts while I'm in training to get the CTO and how strict they are on that requirement?

I'm looking to get a job as soon as my active duty orders are up and just trying to get a heads up on what to expect while applying through different places, if I even qualify.

MikeATC Retired FAA, NATCA Member Nashville TN

The clock starts ticking once are rated at your first facility. Training doesn't count. We've had individuals (Army and some CTI's) that receive a CTO card but no indorsements on it and think that they are certified air traffic controllers, it just doesn't work that way.

Ram_Tough Senior Member Wisconsin

Just cause I was bored and felt like looking it up.

§ 65.39 Practical experience requirements: Facility rating.

Each applicant for a facility rating at any air traffic control tower must have satisfactorily served—

(a) As an air traffic control tower operator at that control tower without a facility rating for at least 6 months; or

(b) As an air traffic control tower operator with a facility rating at a different control tower for at least 6 months before the date he applies for the rating.

However, an applicant who is a member of an Armed Force of the United States meets the requirements of this section if he has satisfactorily served as an air traffic control tower operator for at least 6 months.

[Doc. No. 1179, 27 FR 7973, Aug. 10, 1962, as amended by Amdt. 65–19, 36 FR 21280, Nov. 5, 1971]

JoshATC Senior Analyst

They will go by the date on your CTO card.