This is a document from the FAA for frequently asked questions about the academy.
Air Traffic Control Specialist Students
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will I need to pay for anything during my first few weeks at the Academy if I am using the new credit card payment process for lodging? Yes. You will be required to pay for your meals and incidental expenses. You can request reimbursement 15 days after arrival at the Academy and monthly thereafter.
2. Will I still need to submit a travel voucher (SF 1012) if using the new credit card payment process for lodging? Yes. You will submit a travel voucher to be reimbursed for your meals and incidental expenses only. You can submit a travel reimbursement voucher 15 days after arrival at the Academy and monthly thereafter.
3. How do I contact the Travel Office? The Travel Office (AMZ-132) is located in Headquarters Building, Room 366. Their phone number is 405/954-9453.
4. What is the daily per diem rate effective 10/01/08? The new long-term (16 or more class days) per diem rate is $80.40 per day. This will apply only as an exception to the credit card payment process for lodging. This flat rate per diem includes; lodging expenses, meals, local transportation and personal phone calls.
5. How do I get to Oklahoma City (OKC) for training? After receipt of your firm offer of employment, you are authorized to call American Express at 1-800/423-7458 and book airfare to OKC. The airfare will be at no cost to you. If you choose to drive, you will be reimbursed for your actual expenses not to exceed the cost FAA would have paid for your flight to OKC.
6. Will I be reimbursed for “Excess or Overweight Baggage” charges by the airline? Yes. You can claim reimbursement by providing a receipt along with other travel documentation when you submit your travel voucher for reimbursement.
7. Will I be reimbursed for a rental car while I am at the Academy? No. Local transportation, including rental cars, is not authorized.
8. When will I receive the packet of information from the Academy? You should receive the package of information from the Academy within one to two weeks prior to the class start date. If you have not received it within a week prior to arrival at the Academy, please call 405/954-6327.
9. Do I have to stay at an apartment or hotel on the Student Services Website list of Housing? No. The providers are listed as a service to assist you with obtaining lodging.
10. How many days in advance of my class start date should I arrive at the Academy? You should plan to arrive in OKC one day prior to the start of your class.
11. When will I have an FAA email account? Your account will be established after you complete training and arrive at your facility.
12. When will I know my assigned shift for Academy training? All Air Traffic Courses begin at 0700 on the first day. Shifts are then assigned by the instructors. At some time during your training at the Academy, you may be required to work night shift.
13. Are Academy students off work for federal holidays? Yes. Class is dismissed for recognized federal holidays.
14. What type of dress code is acceptable? Business casual is the acceptable dress code for students. (No shorts, flip-flops, tank tops, etc.)
15. Is there someone I can talk with about changing my facility assignment after I have arrived at the Academy? Once you are at the Academy, this is only considered in rare cases. You would need to talk with the facility manager at the facility and phone number listed in your firm offer letter.
16. Is there someone at the Academy who can help me with G.I. Bill questions? We do not have a military liaison on campus. You can call 1-888-GIBILL-1 or go to the following website:
- (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
17. Can I request a roommate? The FAA Academy cannot endorse or arrange roommate situations. After arrival at the Academy, students do sometimes meet other students wishing to share accommodations.
18. Is childcare provided? There is an onsite childcare facility with enrollment based on availability. The Launching Pad is open from 0630 to 1800, Monday through Friday. Their phone number is 405/954-4901. If there is no availability, or if you require childcare while attending evening courses, you may call Oklahoma Child Care Resource and Referral Association, Inc. at 405/525-3111. They offer a free service to help you find the right child care situation.
Travel, Housing, and Per Diem Update
Air Traffic Control Specialist
New Hire Lodging - Credit Card Payment Process
The FAA Academy is implementing a policy to pay for commercial lodging costs for Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) New Hires (ONLY applies to ATCS New Hires) attending Courses 50043, 50143, 50046, 50145, 50146, 50043001, 50055001, or 50034 if also attending one of the other courses listed.
This applies only to lodging costs which can be charged to a government credit card.
This will be effective for class start dates on or after 10/01/08.
The maximum allowable daily lodging rate is $49.80, not including taxes. You will be responsible for charges in excess of this amount. If you are unable to locate lodging within the allowable amount, please contact Student Services at 405/954-3081 for assistance.
The instructions and guidelines for housing, meals, and incidental entitlements effective with class start dates on or after 10/01/08 are listed below. If you require assistance or clarification, please call Student Services at 405/954-3081.
Instructions:
1. Call the lodging provider to secure a reservation. You may access the list of Hotels or Apartments on the Student Services Website. You may be required to provide a personal credit card number to hold the reservation. If you do not have the means to do this, please contact Student Services at 405/954-3081.
2. Once you have secured a reservation, forward your lodging confirmation to
ATCStudenthousing@faa.gov. Student Services will then contact the lodging provider to convert the authorization from your personal credit card to a government credit card and provide an FAA confirmation number for payment.
3. You will not need a receipt from the lodging provider at the end of your stay since you will NOT be claiming these costs on your travel reimbursement voucher.
Meals and Incidentals
You will receive $30.60/day for meals and incidentals. You may submit your initial travel reimbursement voucher 15 days after arriving at the Academy and monthly thereafter.
Important Notes and Guidelines:
FAA will not pay for lodging reservations that have not been assigned an FAA Confirmation Number.
FAA will pay only for lodging accommodation costs with the government credit card. All other costs including meals, incidentals, phone calls, laundry service, movie rental, entertainment, damages, etc. will need to be guaranteed by the student’s PERSONAL credit card.
Exceptions to Credit Card Payment Process
1. If your lodging provider does not accept credit cards, you will not be included in the credit card payment process. If you will be at the Academy for at least 16 class days, you will receive a total of $80.40/day for lodging, meals, and incidentals, regardless of your lodging cost. You must submit a valid receipt for your lodging expenses. You may submit a travel reimbursement voucher 15 days after arriving at the Academy and monthly thereafter.
2. If you elect to stay with friends or family, you will not be included in the credit card payment process. You will receive $30.60/day for meals and incidentals only. You may submit a travel reimbursement voucher 15 days after arriving at the Academy and monthly thereafter.
3. Local residents (50 miles or less from the Academy) will not be included in the credit card payment process and will receive mileage to and from the Academy only. You may submit a travel reimbursement voucher 15 days after arriving at the Academy and monthly thereafter.
FAA Academy FAQ
