FAA Announces Aims Community College Joins Air Traffic Controller Training Program

FAA Press Releases

Published March 2nd, 2026

Detected March 14th, 2026

Summary

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that Aims Community College in Colorado is the 11th institution to join the Enhanced Air Traffic – Collegiate Training Initiative (E-CTI) program. This expansion aims to streamline the hiring process for future air traffic controllers.

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What changed

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), through U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, has announced that Aims Community College in Colorado has been approved to join the Enhanced Air Traffic – Collegiate Training Initiative (E-CTI). This marks the 11th institution and eighth under Secretary Duffy to join the program, which allows students who pass the E-CTI program to bypass the FAA Academy and proceed directly to on-site facility training for air traffic controller positions.

This announcement is primarily informational, highlighting an expansion of the FAA's training network. While it streamlines a pathway for future controllers, there are no immediate new compliance obligations or deadlines for regulated entities. The FAA's stated goal is to bolster the American workforce and address the national shortage of air traffic controllers, with the agency having surpassed its Fiscal Year 2025 hiring goal.

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Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Announces First Colorado College to Join Air Traffic Controller Training Program

Monday, March 2, 2026 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has greenlit Aims Community College in Colorado as the next school to implement the Enhanced Air Traffic – Collegiate Training Initiative (E-CTI). Students who pass the E-CTI program can apply to become a controller on a fast track – skipping the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City and jumping straight to on-site facility training.

“Thanks to President Trump, we are unlocking new ways for Americans to achieve their American Dream,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “By adding institutions like Aims Community College to the FAA’s training network, we can bolster the American workforce and deliver the world-class air traffic control system the American people deserve.”

This is the 11th institution to join the E-CTI program, and the eighth school under Secretary Duffy, as part of his mission to recruit the next generation of air traffic controllers.

“This partnership with Aims Community College in Greeley creates another strong pipeline to bring new air traffic controllers into the FAA,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “By expanding opportunities here in Colorado, we’re advancing our mission to strengthen the controller workforce and keep the flying public safe.”

The Trump Administration is modernizing the controller workforce with streamlined hiring processes and higher starting salaries for trainees. As a result, the FAA surpassed its Fiscal Year 2025 air traffic controller hiring goal by onboarding 2,026 new controllers. Under Secretary Duffy, the FAA remains laser-focused on the best and brightest recruits.

“I’m thrilled that Aims Community College will join a select group of institutions implementing the Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative. As a former Blackhawk helicopter pilot, I know firsthand how critical air traffic controllers are to aviation and to keeping our airways, pilots, and passengers safe,” said Congressman Gabe Evans (CO-08). “I’m grateful to Secretary Duffy for his commitment to training the next generation of aviation professionals and for giving Aims and Colorado’s 8th District the opportunity to help lead the nation in this important effort.”

“I’m thrilled to see Aims Community College become the latest institution to join Secretary Duffy’s Enhanced Air Traffic – Collegiate Training Initiative,” said Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-04). “This program is a game-changer for Colorado students and our aviation workforce, providing a direct pipeline to high-paying, critical careers in air traffic control while helping address the longstanding national shortage. By bringing elite training opportunities to northern Colorado, we're investing in the next generation of aviation professionals who help keep our skies safe every day.”

Additional Information:

E-CTI school students who pass final performance and written assessments receive an official endorsement certificate. These graduates can then apply to become a controller and be placed directly in an FAA facility, bypassing the agency’s Air Traffic Controller Academy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to begin their facility-specific training, provided they pass the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) test and meet medical and security requirements.

This is different than the Standard AT-CTI, where graduates go to the FAA Academy but can bypass the introductory Air Traffic Basics Course.

This partnership between the FAA and Aims Community College is for the school’s Tower and En Route program, where students will have the opportunity to be placed in an FAA Air Traffic Control Tower or Air Route Traffic Control Center upon passing the aptitude-based ATSA.

The FAA also offers a year-round hiring opportunity for experienced controllers from the military and private industry and continues to expand its use of modernized simulators that enhance training by immersing trainees in real-world scenarios.