(Nashua, NH) - Long-recognized for its nationally-accredited Air Traffic Control (ATC) Management Program, Daniel Webster College was pleased to learn its program ranked #1 in New England - and #4 in the nation  - among the FAA-approved CTI (College Training Initiatives) colleges and universities. The college was the top private institution for Air Traffic Control programs, with the first three being public colleges or universities.

Air traffic control consists of communicating to 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. Controllers abide by Federal Aviation regulations and 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.

Daniel Webster's ATC programs include courses in federal regulations, math, law, and ATC labs, along with required ATC courses. DWC's program is a 4-year program leading to a bachelor's degree and rapid placement in the career field, and it is one of only 23 nationwide programs recognized by the FAA as part of its Collegiate Training Initiative.

The FAA implemented these partnership agreements in October 1997. CTI colleges will serve as one of the primary hiring sources for FAA air traffic control specialists during the next ten years.

Daniel Webster's ATC baccalaureate program recently saw significant upgrades to its simulation facilities. Housed in The Business Center and DWC, adjacent to the Nicholas N. Tamposi Aviation Center a short walk from campus, the ATC's facilities boast new radar and air traffic control tower simulators that provide very high fidelity simulations of the tower, terminal radar, and en-route radar environments.

The radar simulator is a full voice-recognition system for highly realistic simulation of the procedures used in the control of air traffic.

The tower simulation is based upon a very high-quality, three-screen visual display system allowing for simulations of a wide variety of training scenarios for an air traffic control tower.

Daniel Webster teaches a variety of skills and knowledge that go beyond FAA standards, ensuring that graduates will be well prepared to begin working as an air traffic controller.

Students learn CRM (crew resource management), which provides the ability to work as a team and accomplish tasks within a group setting. Because the field requires controllers to work with other controllers, with each controlling a sector of the radarscope, DWC provides its students with the required skills to handle group work.

DWC also offers sector management and other ATC management programs to give graduates the experience and skills needed in the management field of ATC.

Daniel Webster ATC graduates may qualify for appointment as Air Traffic Control Specialists with the Federal Aviation Administration. Additionally, they possess the broad education, management, and communication skills to serve effectively in supervisory or management positions with the Air Traffic Division of the FAA, supervisory or management positions in a variety of aviation business settings, or for continued education in an appropriate masters degree program.

DWC students who have graduated with a bachelor's degree in ATC have done well, according to Provost Dr. Michael Fishbein. With a few years of experience, ATC DWC graduates can expect to make $75,000 to $100,000.

Daniel Webster's ATC program was among the 13 original programs approved by the CTI.