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Air Traffic Controller Training in South Carolina

Cities in South Carolina with Aviation Schools:

  • Aiken
  • Anderson
  • Beaufort
  • Berea
  • Bluffton
  • Cayce
  • Charleston
  • Clemson
  • Columbia
  • Conway
  • Dentsville
  • Easley
  • Five Forks
  • Florence
  • Fort Mill
  • Gaffney
  • Gantt
  • Georgetown
  • Goose Creek
  • Greenville
  • Greenwood
  • Greer
  • Hanahan
  • Hilton Head Island
  • Irmo
  • James Island
  • Ladson
  • Lake Wylie
  • Lexington
  • Mauldin
  • Moncks Corner
  • Mount Pleasant
  • Myrtle Beach
  • Myrtle Beach North
  • North Augusta
  • North Charleston
  • North Myrtle Beach
  • Orangeburg
  • Parker
  • Port Royal
  • Red Hill
  • Rock Hill
  • Seven Oaks
  • Simpsonville
  • Socastee
  • Spartanburg
  • St Andrews
  • Summerville
  • Sumter
  • Taylors
  • Wade Hamn
  • West Columbia

Air Traffic Controller Training in South Carolina

Air Traffic Control School in South Carolina

Air Traffic Controller Schools in South Carolina are actively recruiting students to replace the thousands of current controllers fromSouth Carolina whose retirement is rapidly approaching. Now is the time to start your air traffic controller training inSouth Carolina. Aviation Schools Online offers a complete list of air traffic controller schools nearSouth Carolina.

Air Traffic Controller quick facts - Nearly all air traffic controllers are employed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), an agency of the Federal Government.

Replacement needs will continue to account for most job openings nearSouth Carolina, reflecting the large number ofSouth Carolina air traffic controllers who will be eligible to retire over the next decade. Competition to get into FAA training programs is expected to remain strong; however, graduates of Air Traffic Controller programs fromSouth Carolina have good job prospects. Air traffic controllers aroundSouth Carolina earn relatively high pay and have good benefits.

Research Careers in Air Traffic Control Here! Do you have what it takes to become an air traffic controller inSouth Carolina? These pages will help you find out. Air Traffic Control jobs pay well and are one of the toughest positions to earn. Start out by doing some research.

Air Traffic Control Career - Where Can I Work?

While aircraft and pilots may steal the show when it comes to aviation, air traffic controllers are an absolutely essential element of the aviation industry. After you're hired as an air traffic controller, you'll go to an FAA Academy where you'll spend twelve weeks learning the basics of the ATC system, regulations, and equipment, plus much more. Students who graduated from an AT-CTI program are allowed to skip the first five weeks of training because they already covered the material in their college coursework.Without their highly-skilled eyes watching over and keeping pilots from running into each other, flying would harder than it already is.

If you're considering an air traffic control career, chances are you already know this, but what you may not know is there are several places air traffic controllers work. Once you complete your training, you can work as a tower, TRACON, or En-route controller.
Tower

Of all the career paths available to air traffic controllers fromSouth Carolina, this is probably the one most people picture. These controllers are generally located at the airport in the tower if there is one. They spend their days and nights overseeing operations at the airport level. They control local weather reporting and issuing clearances for taxi, takeoff, and landing. In short, tower controllers control the airport.

Air Traffic Controller Salary Info - How Much Do Air Traffic Controllers in South Carolina Make?

U.S. Air traffic controllers make a good living and have excellent benefits. According to a 2010 study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most Air traffic controllers average $110,000 per year in salary, with some controllers making less and some making more.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the starting salary for new controllers was $37,070 in 2010. Controllers' salaries increase as they complete each new training phase.

According to the FAA, controllers who have already completed on-the-job training had an average annual salary of $118,000 in 2010. Get more information about air traffic controller jobs here.

Air Traffic Controller Benefits

As an air traffic controller fromSouth Carolina, you can expect excellent benefits. Health insurance and life insurance are standard, and controllers receive 13 to 26 paid days for vacation and 13 days of paid personal time per year. Besides the great pay, controllers have excellent retirement options too.

For example, air traffic controllers can retire at age 50 with far fewer years in service than other Federal employees, or they can extend their time to age 56 for an even better retirement package. However, if you work for a contract tower or flight service station, do a little research because those entities may operate with different benefits packages. Read more about air traffic controller jobs.

Terminal Approach Control

Terminal approach control, or TRACON, handle everything near the airport. They are usually located in the same facility as the tower controllers, but they don't handle traffic on the ground. TRACON handles every aircraft within a certain range--both inbound and outbound flights.

They may see traffic for a specific field or, as is more common in larger cities, multiple fields. These controllers are primarily concerned with sequencing and spacing aircraft for safe arrivals and departures.

En-route

Last but not least, en-route controllers handle all the airspace between major metropolitan areas. They typically work in dedicated facilities that are much larger than airport towers known as "centers." The center controllers work together to handle all traffic in specific regions by relying on long-range radar and radio services.

Once an aircraft is near its destination, the center controller will hand it off to approach control, who in turn will sequence the aircraft before handing it off to the tower controllers who will issue the landing clearance.

Air traffic controllers are an essential element of the aviation formula. They allow pilots to focus on flying their aircraft by providing weather services and helping pilots maintain separation in the sky. While the job may not come with as much glory as of the pilot, air traffic controllers are the linchpin that keeps the entire system safe and efficient.

Fixed-Wing Aircraft Facts - Wing Configurations

Both the leading edge and the trailing edge of the wing may be straight or curved, or one edge may be straight and the other curved. One or both edges may be tapered so that the wing is narrower at the tip than at the root where it joins the fuselage. The wingtip may be square, rounded, or even pointed. Figure 1-19 shows a number of typical wing leading and trailing edge shapes.

Fun Facts About Flight Dispatchers

FAA flight dispatcher license requirements: Must be at least 23 years of age. High school graduate or international equivalent education.Ability to read, write, and communicate in the English Language. Minimum of 200 hours of instruction. Passing Score on FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test.

Air Traffic Controller Training in South Carolina - Where Do I start?

Air traffic controllers in South Carolina play a vital role in modern aviation. From providing up to date weather information to keeping planes from getting too close, air traffic control is an exciting and necessary career. If you're considering becoming an air traffic controller inSouth Carolina, you must go through a multi-step process that begins early.

Specifically, those training for an air traffic control career must be younger than 30 unless they already have experience as an air traffic controller (such as through the military). From there, you must go to college, apply for an ATC job, and attend the FAA training academy.

For Air Traffic Controller Training in South Carolina Attend College or University

While not totally essential, the easiest way to begin a career as an air traffic controller is to go to college. There are numerous FAA-approved schools nearSouth Carolina offering training through the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) that will help you meet the minimum requirements for applying for an ATC opening with the FAA.

Once you have completed your two-year or four-year degree, you should receive a letter of recommendation from your school and apply for an ATC job.

If you've already gotten a degree or you're switching careers, you must have either progressively responsible full-time work experience or college study to qualify. Specifically, you need three years of work, four years of college, or some combination of the two to satisfy the minimum requirements.

Where You'll Work as an Air Traffic Controller

As an air traffic controller inSouth Carolina, you can expect to work in one or all of these four areas:

At the airport - these controllers work at what's called the "tower" even though you may or may not actually be located in the tower. Tower controllers are responsible for local airport operations including reporting weather, issuing takeoff clearances, controlling aircraft on the ground, issuing runway assignments, handling all arriving and departing traffic, and above all, ensuring that all of these aircraft maintain a safe distance from each other at all times.

Near the airport - Terminal "approach" control, or TRACON for short, handles all inbound and outbound traffic in a specific area near an airport, or a group of airports. A good example is that most big cites have TRACON services that handle all aircraft in the general vicinity of the metropolitan area.

TRACON controllers make sure all aircraft are properly sequenced and spaced for safe arrivals and departures from all airports in the entire area.

En route - Between major metropolitan areas are vast expanses of airspace. "Center" controllers handle all traffic in these areas and rely on long-range radar and radio services to maintain contact with, and separation for, all aircraft under their control.

Flight Service Stations (FSS) - Flight service stations are regional offices that supply vital flight planning, weather, en route, communication, and navigation information via radio to pilots already airborne, and via telephone and computer to pilots planning flights on the ground.

Sometimes flight service specialists (people who work in an FSS) will help other ATC personnel by relaying radio messages to pilots who cannot talk to other ATC controllers because of current location and altitude.

Air Traffic Controller Requirements

Air traffic controllers fromSouth Carolina must be good multitaskers, with the ability to make quick decisions efficiently. Most of the time, controllers are "working" several aircraft simultaneously, and are responsible for giving the pilots correct information via radio, making sure that the aircraft are not too close to each other (separation), and all the while, ensuring the efficient flow of traffic into and out of the controller's sector. Learn more about air traffic controller jobs.

Apply for an Air Traffic Controller Job in South Carolina

Once you've met education or work experience requirements, you must pass an exam. The computer-based pre-employment exam requires about 8 hours to complete and is only offered by the FAA. Typically, there are more applicants than test slots, but AT-CTI applicants in good academic standing are guaranteed an opportunity to take the exam.

Once you've passed the exam, you are technically eligible for an air traffic controller job nearSouth Carolina, unfortunately, you must then undergo an extensive background check and drug testing. It's safe to say, the FAA doesn't let just anyone work ATC.

Attend FAA Air Traffic Controller Training Near South Carolina

Finally, once you're hired, the FAA will send you to Air Traffic Controller training for 12 weeks of intensive training on the ATC system, regulations, and equipment. Thankfully, if you're a graduate of an AT-CTI program, you may be able to bypass the first five weeks of training.

Once you've graduated from the academy, you will receive an assignment to a real air traffic control facility for an additional 2 to 4 years of on-the-job-training. If you make it through all that training, you're all set for one of the most fulfilling careers available today.

As you can tell, air traffic controller careers are not for the faint of heart. The training is extensive, but it has to be because ATC is a high-stakes career. If you think you've got what it takes, now is the time to start training for your air traffic controller career.

Air Traffic Controller Career Center in South Carolina

An air traffic controller's primary responsibility is to "maintain separation" between all types of aircraft. Other responsibilities include aiding the swift and efficient movement of aircraft to and from airports and across great distances en route. Finally, air traffic controllers assist pilots in emergency situations.

Air traffic controllers typically work for the U.S. Government and are employed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), although some controllers work in what are called "contract" towers where air traffic control (ATC) services are awarded to private companies. If you would like to begin training to become an air traffic controller, start now.

You must be 30 years old or less to apply for a job with ATC. Learn more about air traffic controller training.

Air Traffic Controller Salary Info - How Much Do Air Traffic Controllers in South Carolina Make?

U.S. Air traffic controllers fromSouth Carolina make a good living and have excellent benefits. According to a 2010 study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most Air traffic controllers average $110,000 per year in salary, with some controllers making less and some making more.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the starting salary for new controllers was $37,070 in 2010. Controllers' salaries increase as they complete each new training phase. According to the FAA, controllers who have already completed on-the-job training had an average annual salary of $118,000 in 2010. Get more information about air traffic controller jobs here.

The Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook

This volume contains information on airframe construction features, assembly and rigging, fabric covering, structural repairs, and aircraft welding. The handbook also contains an explanation of the units that make up the various airframe systems. Because there are so many different types of aircraft in use today, it is reasonable to expect that differences exist in airframe components and systems.

Fun Helicopter Facts for Charleston

Helicopters can be flown across oceans if additional fuel is made available or in-flight refueling is employed.

As the helicopter approaches the ground, the pilot must then get rid of most of their forward motion and slow the decent using the stored up kinetic energy in the rotors. If done perfectly, the landing will be quite gentle. They accomplish this by executing a flare, pitching the nose up, at the right moment.

In fact, you have a better chance at surviving in a helicopter when the engine fails than you do in an airplane. Helicopters are designed specifically to allow pilots to have a reasonable chance of landing them safely in the case where the engine stops working during flight, often with no damage at all.

Helicopter Training Facts for Columbia:

With enough hours and experience, you can look for jobs with charter companies, tourism and sightseeing organizations and other places that use helicopters in their operations. As well as life flight opportunities. Some employers might also expect their pilots to have some level of college education.

Helicopter Spotlight for Columbia

The RotorWay Exec is a family of American two-bladed, skid-equipped, two-seat kit helicopters, manufactured by RotorWay International and supplied in kit form for amateur-construction. The Exec 162F is the latest in the Exec series of helicopters manufactured by RotorWay International.The RotorWay Scorpion design was updated with an aluminum tail and full fiberglass cockpit enclosure to become the Exec. The Exec 90 was developed in the early 1990s, it was, at the time, the only piston-powered helicopter to utilize an asymmetrical airfoil for improved autorotation characteristics and safety.In 1994, a fuel injection system with electronic ignition, and FADEC was added to the Exec 90, producing the Exec 162F. Unlike most U.S.-designed helicopters, the main rotor on the Exec 162F rotates clock-wise, as seen from above. The Exec series was further developed into the RotorWay A600 Talon, which replaced the Exec in production.

Helicopter Pilot Jobs for Goose Creek

A relatively common helicopter pilot job is working for emergency medical services. This typically involves flying solo and in weather conditions and over terrain that is challenging and sometimes dangerous. Some territories can be extremely remote and it is safer to send in helicopter teams than teams on the ground.

Helicopter Spotlight for Goose Creek

The TAI/AgustaWestland T129 is an attack helicopter based on the Agusta A129 Mangusta. The T129 was developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) with AgustaWestland as the primary partner. The helicopter is designed for hot and high environments.

The ATAK programme was begun to meet the Turkish Armed Forces' requirements for an attack and tactical reconnaissance helicopter. The T129 is the result of the integration of Turkish developed high-tech avionics and weapon systems onto the combat proven AgustaWestland A129 airframe with upgraded engines transmission and rotor blades. It is in use by the Turkish Army and is being offered to other air forces.

Fun Helicopter Facts for Greenville

In recent years, however, private industry has probably accounted for the greatest increase in helicopter use, as many companies have begun to transport their executives via helicopter. In addition, helicopter shuttle services have proliferated, particularly along the urban corridor of the American Northeast. Still, among civilians the helicopter remains best known for its medical, rescue, and relief uses.

Aviation History for Greenville

In 1937 German designer Heinrich Focke built an aircraft with two huge variable pitch rotors instead of wings and achieved a controlled hover. Months later, German Anton Flettner built the first true helicopter.

Helicopter Factoid for Hilton Head Islands for Hilton Head Island

Helicopters are classified as rotary wing aircraft, and their rotary wing is commonly referred to as the main rotor or simply the rotor.

Helicopter rotor systems consist of between two and six blades attached to a central hub. Usually long and narrow, the blades turn relatively slowly, because this minimizes the amount of power necessary to achieve and maintain lift, and also because it makes controlling the vehicle easier.

Helicopter Spotlight for Hilton Head Island

SpeedHawk is a concept aircraft based on applying X-49A compounding concepts to a production UH-60 Black Hawk offering better performance range and increases in useful load. The SpeedHawk aircraft includes an SPU (third engine) high forward-swept wing concept a 45-inch fuselage plug cabin extension and several other drag reducing and performance-oriented improvements including a rotor hub fairing.

Helicopter Factoid for Mount Pleasants for Mount Pleasant

The helicopter was put to military use almost immediately after its introduction. While it was not utilized extensively during World War II, the jungle terrain of both Korea and Vietnam prompted the helicopter's widespread use during both of those wars, and technological refinements made it a valuable tool during the Persian Gulf War as well.

Helicopter Spotlight for Mount Pleasant

The Atlas Oryx (named after the Oryx antelope) is a medium-sized utility helicopter which is manufactured by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation (now Denel Aviation). The SAAF was the largest user of Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma. The Oryx can trace its origins back to the Bush War. Despite the efforts of the gunship Alouette, the need for a dedicated gunship was recognized. Atlas Aircraft Corporation produced an experimental attack helicopter, the Alpha XH-1. This helicopter was used for feasibility studies and could not serve any practical purpose - this led to the more powerful XTP-1 in April 1987. Two XTP-1s were converted, and based on a Puma J airframe. Various weapons and other systems were tested on XTP-1 and paved the way for Project: Denel Rooivalk. However, the dynamic flight components of the XTP-1 made Atlas realize what advantages an upgraded Puma could have.

Helicopter Fun Facts for North Charleston

The helicopter was eventually perfected by Igor Sikorsky. Advances in aerodynamic theory and building materials had been made since Sikorsky's initial endeavor, and, in 1939, he lifted off the ground in his first operational helicopter. Two years later, an improved design enabled him to remain aloft for an hour and a half, setting a world record for sustained helicopter flight.

Helicopter Spotlight for North Charleston

The Bell Model 309 KingCobra was an experimental attack helicopter developed by Bell Helicopter based on the Bell AH-1 Cobra. Bell announced the KingCobra program in January 1971. Two prototypes were built one with a P&WC T400-CP-400 Twin Pac dual turboshaft engine system much like that used on the AH-1J but with a stronger drive train allowing full 1800 shp (1340 kW) operation and the other with a single Lycoming T55-L-7C turboshaft engine with 2000 shp (1490 kW). The twin engine KingCobra first flew on 10 September 1971. It looked much like an AH-1J except for a longer and distinctive buzzard beak nose and a ventral fin like that on the original Model 209 demonstrator. However there were significant changes that were less noticeable:

Helicopter Pilot Jobs for Rock Hill

Helicopter pilot jobs range from sightseeing and aerial photography to working with emergency rescue groups or news-gathering agencies. Other career opportunities include instruction, forestry, surveying and mapping, heavy-lifting, and flying for the military.

Helicopter Spotlight for Rock Hill

The Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon, (Super Frelon - Super Hornet) is a three-engined heavy transport helicopter produced by Aérospatiale of France. The helicopter is still in use in China where the locally produced version is known as the Z-8. The SA-3210 Super Frelon was developed by Sud-Aviation from the original SE-3200 Frelon. Sikorsky was contracted to supply the design of a new six-bladed main rotor and five-bladed tail rotor. Fiat supplied a design for a new main transmission. The first flight of the Super Frelon was December 7, 1962. A modified prototype Super Frelon helicopter was used on July 23, 1963 to break the FAI absolute helicopter world speed record with a speed of 217.7 mph.

Helicopter Pilot Facts for Summerville: Specialized training, based on the kind of aircraft the pilot flies, is another requirement. Helicopter pilots are also required to have and maintain excellent physical and mental health.

Lift is proportional to the change in the air's momentum (its mass times its velocity): the greater the momentum, the greater the lift.

Lift is proportional to the change in the air's momentum (its mass times its velocity): the greater the momentum, the greater the lift.

Helicopter Spotlight for Summerville

The Lockheed Martin VH-71 Kestrel is a variant of the AgustaWestland AW101 (formerly Eh401) built to replace the United States Marine Corps' Marine One U.S. Presidential transport fleet. It was developed and built by the Lockheed Martin–led US101 Team of Lockheed Martin Systems Integration – Owego (LMSI) AgustaWestland and Bell Helicopter.

In February 2009 President Barack Obama asked Secretary of Defense Robert Gates about placing the project on hold or canceling it because of its high cost: over $13 billion for the planned 28 helicopters. In June 2009 the U.S. Navy terminated the contract after spending about $4.4 billion and taking delivery of nine VH-71s. The helicopters were then sold to Canada for $164 million for use as spare parts for its fleet of AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant search-and-rescue helicopters.

Helicopter Pilot Jobs for Sumter

Helicopter pilots in emergency services fields are often called upon to airlift victims of accidents, fires, or natural disasters such as flooding or the aftermath of a severe storm. Hospitals may hire pilots and pay for equipment, or the services may be provided to a hospital by an outside company.

Famous Quote in Sumter You Should Know

The helicopter: The flying carpet of the Scientific Age.” ~Michael Hampson

Everyone is a student in a helicopter -Unknown

Helicopter Spotlight for Sumter

The Mitsubishi MH 2000 is a 7/12 seat light utility helicopter. Low levels of interest in the aircraft forced Mitsubishi to halt sales of Mh4000 in September 2004. The Mh4000 is Japan's first indigenous helicopter with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) having sole responsibility for developing and manufacturing the fuselage and engines.

In the development of the Mh4000 MHI aimed for safety economy and low noise levels. The program was launched in 1995 to fulfill a variety of missions include passenger and business transport law enforcement search and rescue and emergency medical services.