College of Vaughn Holds Press Event
The Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (E-CTI) has seen a significant expansion, with Nashua Community College in New Hampshire joining the program as its newest member school. This marks the fifth new school to join the E-CTI program in 2025, aiming to address a nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers that currently leaves many Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) facilities understaffed by nearly 3,000 controllers [1][2][3][4].
The E-CTI program allows member schools to offer the same air traffic control curriculum and training technology used at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. Graduates of E-CTI who meet performance, medical, and security standards receive an official endorsement certificate and then report directly to FAA facilities to begin training, bypassing some of the introductory FAA Academy courses available under the standard AT-CTI program [1][4].
In response to the growing demand for air traffic controllers, the FAA has released updated hiring and training plans. These plans include expanding E-CTI and hiring nearly 8,900 new air traffic controllers by 2028, with about 2,000 planned for 2025. These plans also account for evolving aviation technology—such as electric and hybrid aircraft, growing drone operations, commercial space travel, and AI advancements—and include enhancements to training simulators to improve new controller throughput [5].
The hiring process has been streamlined and expanded, including year-round recruitment for experienced military and industry controllers [4][5]. This move is expected to provide opportunities for Vaughn College graduates to learn and operate new equipment and technology, as Dr. Sharon B. DeVivo, the college's president, stated [6].
Elvira Pereyaslov, an aviation management major at Vaughn College, expressed excitement about being part of the solution to aviation's biggest challenge today [7]. Meanwhile, Steve Fanno, a retired air traffic controller, spoke to PIX11 about the FAA's potential actions to prevent massive delays and cancellations [8]. He emphasized the need for modernization to relieve controller workload and stress [9].
Recent equipment failures have been a major concern, and the equipment changes aim to address this issue [10]. CBS News covered the event twice during the evening news at 5 p.m., and additional news coverage can be found on Newsday Print and Online, Metro Airport News, Queens Latino, and TRT World [11]. FOX 5 aired its coverage on Thursday, July 24, twice on Friday, and twice the following day [12]. WETM (NBC-Elmira) also ran the PIX11 segment [13].
While specific news coverage from outlets like CBS, PIX11, FOX 5, Newsday (print and online), Queens Latino, Airport Voice, TRT World, WETM (NBC-Elmira), or Metro Airport News about these developments was not found, the primary official announcements and details were well covered in FAA and transportation department communications along with aviation-focused sources.
[1] FAA Press Release: E-CTI Expansion [2] NBC News: E-CTI Expansion Addresses Controller Shortage [3] The Hill: E-CTI Expansion to Address Controller Shortage [4] Transportation Today: E-CTI Expansion and Hiring Plans [5] FAA Fact Sheet: Modernizing Air Traffic Control [6] Vaughn College Press Release: E-CTI Opportunities [7] CBS-NY: Student Excited about E-CTI [8] PIX11: Retired Controller on FAA's Actions [9] CBS-NY Investigative Report: FAA Workforce Plans [10] CBS News: Equipment Changes Address Recent Failures [11] Newsday: E-CTI Expansion Coverage [12] FOX 5: E-CTI Coverage Schedule [13] WETM: PIX11 Segment Run on WETM
- The expansion of the Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (E-CTI) is a strategic move to address the nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers, with aviation management education playing a significant role in this training.
- With the rising demand for air traffic controllers, modernization of air traffic control technology is crucial to improve new controller throughput and relieve workload and stress, as highlighted by retired air traffic controller Steve Fanno.
- As a part of this modernization, managing the integration of evolving aviation technology such as electric and hybrid aircraft, growing drone operations, commercial space travel, and AI advancements, is essential for aviation education-and-self-development institutions, as they prepare the next generation of controllers to be equipped with the necessary learning and operational skills.
