CTI school capacity?

jonieison Newcomer

Ok so I am watching the new schools get approved for CTI and reading about all the OTS-Military-CTI debate. then I stumble across a report by the GAO report dated June 2002 FAA Needs to Better Prepare for Impending Wave of Controller Attrition http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d02591.pdf - on page 31 Table 8: Current Capacities of Air Traffic Controller Schools, as of November 2001 shows the enrollments and capacity for the 13 original schools. That information along with the excellent map of CTI schools(degrees offered and tuition) is great help.

So I am thinking the GAO data is somewhat old and was wondering if anyone had an idea about current data and capacity? Now that there are 31 schools and it looks like some more may be added this year.

Joe Nieison
PS - Keep 'em separated (or at least on different frequencies).

rogersjf Trusted Contributor New Jersey

I believe they are getting these numbers from the amount of seats per classroom times the amount of classes. With that said most schools do not have specific ATC degree it is just in addition to another degree, some schools do have specific ATC degrees. But still the FAA only requires the three classes (ATC I, ATC II, and Aviation Weather) for the CTI program. There should be no problem with capacity at any school you go to as long as you get into the school. A school cannot withhold you from a class if you are a student. However most schools have registration preference according to your current grade.

I would be more worried about the amount of schools they are adding which increases the potential pool of CTI applicants, especially due to the fact the kids entering 4 year programs will be done right when the hiring plan is about to finish up.

With that said your OTS, CTI and Military comment is a no brainier. The FAA looks at the following people in order VRA, CRI, OTS(only when a pubnat is out), Your chances to get in are much more substantial going the CTI route then the OTS route. However all CTI student should apply to the OTS because it does not hurt

my .02