-
Who is the Department Chair for the Aviation Department?
The acting Department Chair for the Aviation Department is
Professor Thomas Teller.
His phone number is 603-577-6427; his e-mail is
teller@dwc.edu.
(return to top)
-
What types of courses will I be taking as an ATC major?
ATC or air traffic control consists of communicating to the pilots
and maintaining aircraft separation with the use of radar and radio
communication. Air traffic controllers are set up all over the world
including all of the busy airports. The controllers' job is to help
pilots and abide by Federal Aviation regulations. They work in a
control tower or a dark room in front of a monitor watching the
aircraft on radar, while maintaining contact with them within a
certain airspace.
(return to top)
-
What is air traffic control?
The ATC
courses include courses in federal regulations, math, law, and ATC
labs, along with required ATC courses (one per semester). DWC's
program is a 4-year program leading to a bachelor's degree and rapid
placement in the career field. DWC's ATC program is one of only 19
nationwide programs recognized by the FAA as part of its Collegiate
Training Initiative.
(return to top)
-
How much time will I get in the labs as an ATC major?
At the
freshman level DWC provides 3 hours per week in the simulator
station. As a senior you are in the lab between 5-10 hours per week.
(return to top)
-
How well does a DWC degree prepare me for the ATC industry?
DWC teaches a
variety of skills and knowledge that go way beyond FAA standards. At
graduation you will be very well prepared to begin working as an air
traffic controller. DWC teaches you CRM (crew resource management)
which gives you the ability to work as a team and accomplish tasks
within a group setting. Because the field requires you to work with
other controllers, with each of you controlling a sector of the
radarscope, DWC provides you with required skills to handle group
work. DWC also offers sector management and other ATC management
programs to give you the experience and skills needed in the
management field of ATC.
(return to top)
-
How much does it cost to enroll in the ATC program at DWC?
As an ATC
major the cost will be the standard DWC tuition plus lab costs,
which vary depending on your in school year.
(return to top)
-
Is it possible to minor in ATC as another major student at DWC?
Yes. DWC has
students who are enrolled in flight operations who are minoring in
ATC. This option results in a heavier workload; yet the required
courses can be part of your elective credits.
(return to top)
-
What are the starting salaries available as a graduate with a
bachelor's degree in ATC?
DWC students
who have graduated with a bachelor's degree in ATC have done well.
Recent starting pay being averages of about $25,000. Some major
airports and centers offer $40,000 to start. With a few years of
experience, ATC DWC graduates can expect to make $75,000 to
$100,000.
(return to top)
-
Why do so few people enroll into the ATC program?
Aircraft
control takes a certain type of person. You need to be quick with
knowledge, able to deal with great amounts of stress, and possess
superior communication skills. Many people find that, after giving
it a trial period, they are just not capable of dealing with long
periods of stress and communication. DWC does an outstanding job
training people for the career field and preparing them with
rigorous testing prior to getting out into the field.
(return to top)
-
What does
the average work day consist of for ATC?
The work day
of a typical ATC worker varies. Most controllers are given a break
after two hours in front of the monitor due to eyestrain and fatigue
from brainpower. So your typical day will consist of a series of
2-hour segments in front of the monitor and the rest of the day is
relaxation and break time for personal benefit.
(return to top)
