Angelo State University’s new air traffic operations degree track in its commercial aviation program is flying high with national recognition and endorsements less than a year after its launch, according to a media release.
The Federal Aviation Administration has designated ASU an Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative, and the FAA has also approved the university joining the FAA’s Control Tower Operator Partnership Program.
“We’re extremely excited about the future of our air traffic program and the multiple opportunities available for our students,” Mark Arzate, ASU’s lead air traffic operations instructor, said.
Angelo State is only institution in Texas and the 12th in the U.S. to attain the enhanced training initiative designation, ASU officials said in the media release.
What’s more, ASU students who earn a bachelor of commercial aviation degree through the air traffic operations track will be eligible to bypass the FAA Academy and immediately start training as an air traffic control specialist at an FAA air traffic control tower, ASU officials said.
In addition, the university is just the seventh in the U.S. and the only one in Texas approved for the Control Tower Operator Partnership Program, officials said. So ASU air traffic operations graduates are eligible to bypass the FAA Academy and start on-the-job training at an air traffic control tower in the Federal Contract Tower system.
And San Angelo Regional Airport-Mathis Field is one of 265 federal contract towers in the system, officials said. Private companies staff the towers to manage air traffic in smaller cities and around municipal airports.
Earning FAA’s designation as a enhanced training initiative and approval for the partnership program required a full investment by ASU’s commercial aviation faculty to meet the agency’s standards, officials said.
Specialized new simulators from UFA Inc., recognized globally for its advancements in air traffic control simulation technology, supported their efforts, officials said. Students started training in the new simulator lab in January.
In April, the FAA did a site visit to evaluate ASU’s air traffic operations program and its lab, officials said.
Arzate said pursing the enhanced training and the partnership program endorsements was daunting.
“The FAA’s rigorous requirements are a testament as to why the U.S. air traffic control system is one of the safest in the world,” he said. “ASU had to step up to meet those same requirements through simulator scenario development. With the aid of UFA, we were able to construct the required 17 scenarios in a very short period prior to the FAA site visit.”
The new FAA designations require highly-qualified faculty members such as Arzate.
A 1998 ASU alumnus, he graduated through ROTC Detachment 847, officials said. Then he had a distinguished U.S. Air Force career. Arzate’s career included air traffic control operations, airfield and airport management, logistics, administration, training and deployments, including overseas tours in support of U.S. combat units.
The addition of the air traffic operations track and earning the enhanced training and partnership designations are prime examples of why funding for hands-on learning and career preparation is a top priority of ASU’s ongoing Leading the Charge capital campaign ahead of ASU’s centennial celebration in 2028, university officials said.
Details on the fundraising effort and how to contribute are online at angelo.edu/leading-the-charge, or call the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at 325-942-2116 for more information, officials said.
Trish Choate is the executive editor for the Abilene Reporter-News, San Angelo Standard-Times and Wichita Falls Times Record News. Contact Trish with news tips at tchoate@USATodayco.com. Read her recent work here.
This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Angelo State students get fast track to air traffic jobs
Reporting by Trish Choate, San Angelo Standard-Times / San Angelo Standard-Times
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