Overview
- FAA aims to close its estimated 3,000-controller shortfall by recruiting nearly 9,000 trainees by the end of 2028
- The agency forecasts only about 1,000 net new certified controllers as retirements and training washouts offset most hires
- It anticipates losing roughly 3,200 candidates during academy instruction and another 800 during facility-level training
- Starting pay for recruits will increase by about 30 percent and trainees will be eligible for $5,000 to $10,000 completion bonuses
- A targeted recruitment campaign at Long Island’s New York TRACON seeks to fill roles at a site operating at half its certified staffing level with a 69 percent trainee failure rate