FAA targets gamers to fill air traffic controller shortage
GREENSBORO, NC – Your subsequent flight could possibly be impacted by an ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers.
The Federal Aviation Administration is now on the lookout for video gamers to assist fill the hole.
The US Government Accountability Office finds that the FAA employs 6% fewer controllers than a decade in the past, whereas the variety of flights has risen by 10% over that very same time-frame.
in its latest recruitment campaignthe FAA is wanting to appeal to gamers to be a part of the management tower. The company says it is specializing in reaching “talented young people pursuing alternative careers paths.”
Christina Baker, a junior at UNC Greensboro, performs technique and first-person shooter video games.
“It feels really competitive, and I like being with a team,” Baker mentioned. “I like to communicate and be able to play with friends too.”
She is considered one of many UNCG college students who’re studying that gaming might be greater than a pastime by serving to folks enhance teamwork, problem-solving, and communication abilities.
“You have to be able to think quickly on the spot, adapt, and communicate with your teammates well to win the game, or win something,” Baker mentioned.
Baker says video games have helped her handle tense conditions.
“Especially when you have a lot of people in your ear at one time when things are getting kind of crazy, you have to work under pressure really well and you just have to be able to be strong enough to not fold under it too,” Baker mentioned.
John Borchert, director of esports at UNCG, says this name from the FAA exhibits that gaming can put together folks for the actual world.
“Playing video games is not just a high tech skill, but a skill that also evolves people’s social understanding, sense of community, sense of team, and in a way kind of complex problem solving around what a real world scenario is that the FAA is looking for,” Borchert mentioned.
Baker, whereas not planning to apply to turn into an air traffic controller, says validating gamers is an enormous step, and he or she hopes this recruitment effort helps.
“Because a lot of people will down on gamers and be like ‘oh it’s just some little hobby,’” Baker mentioned. “But if you can apply people who have been working on the skill set for as long as I have, or just in general for as many years as they want, it really validates the hard work and effort they’ve been putting into it.”
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says the FAA acquired a ‘record breaking’ 12,000 applicants inside 24 hours of the applying window being open in April.
Duffy says there are about 11,000 present air traffic controllers with greater than 4,000 in coaching.
The company says it has already hit almost half of its 2026 hiring objective, and plans to rent 8,900 extra controllers by 2029.
Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for information and different happenings throughout North Carolina.
