Air Traffic Controller Training in West Virginia
Cities in West Virginia with Aviation Schools:
- Asbury
- Barboursville
- Beckley
- Bluefield
- Bridgeport
- Buckhannon
- Caldwell
- Cassville
- Chapmanville
- Charles Town
- Charleston
- Cheat Lake
- Clarksburg
- Cross Lanes
- Cunard
- Dawson
- Dunbar
- Elkins
- Erbacon
- Fairlea
- Fairmont
- Gassaway
- Grafton
- Granville
- Harpers Ferry
- Hedgesville
- Hinton
- Huntington
- Hurricane
- Inwood
- Jones Springs
- Lewisburg
- Martinsburg
- Montgomery
- Morgantown
- Moundsville
- Parkersburg
- Weirton
- Wheeling
Air Traffic Control School in West Virginia
Air Traffic Controller Schools in West Virginia are actively recruiting students to replace the thousands of current controllers fromWest Virginia whose retirement is rapidly approaching. Now is the time to start your air traffic controller training inWest Virginia. Aviation Schools Online offers a complete list of air traffic controller schools nearWest Virginia.
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 nearWest Virginia, reflecting the large number ofWest Virginia 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 fromWest Virginia have good job prospects. Air traffic controllers aroundWest Virginia 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 inWest Virginia? 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. 
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 fromWest Virginia, 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 West Virginia 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 fromWest Virginia, 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 Stabilator
A movable horizontal tail section, called a stabilator, is a control surface that combines the action of both the horizontal stabilizer and the elevator. Basically, a stabilator is a horizontal stabilizer that can also be rotated about the horizontal axis to affect the pitch of the aircraft.
Fun Aviation Facts - Pilots Eat a Different Meal
There are various rules which are imposed by different airlines, but there is one common rule that states pilots must be fed a different meal from the co-pilots. The copilots are encouraged to eat different entrees to guard against cases of food poisoning.
Air Traffic Controller Training in West Virginia - Where Do I start?
Air traffic controllers in West Virginia 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 inWest Virginia, 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 West Virginia 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 nearWest Virginia 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 inWest Virginia, 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 fromWest Virginia 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 West Virginia
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 nearWest Virginia, 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 West Virginia
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 West Virginia
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 West Virginia Make?
U.S. Air traffic controllers fromWest Virginia 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.
Interesting Helicopter Facts
In 1944, American inventor Stanley Hiller, Jr. made the first helicopter with all-metal rotor blades that were very stiff.
There are two types of helicopter engines; one is Turbine engine and second is Piston Engine.
A helicopter can rotate to 360 degrees while hovering.
Helicopter Spotlight for Beckley
Unusual But Interesting Helicopter Facts in Beckley The new S-434 helicopter builds on the best qualities of the 333 model, including a well laid out cockpit, outstanding flight properties and low cost of ownership. To this, we have added a four-bladed rotor system, upgraded transmission and increased fuel capacity. The result of these improvements are increased useful load, hover performance, cruise speed and lower vibration.
Interesting Helicopter and Fixed-wing Facts for Charleston
In 1997, a Robinson R44 was piloted byJennifer Murray for the first helicopter circumnavigation of the world by a woman, covering a distance of 36,000 miles in 97 days.
The first helicopter to achieve completely untethered flight was the Cornu in 1907, which managed to hover one foot above the ground for 20 seconds.
Helicopter Facts for Charleston
Every helicopter pilot must obtain a private helicopter pilot license to fly. Students must be at least 17 years old, obtain a FAA medical certificate and pass a FAA written test. Additionally, the student must take at least 40 hours of flight time, 10 of which must be solo flight time. As part of those 40 hours, the student must do three hours of dual cross-country flying, three hours of dual nighttime flying and three hours of solo cross-country flying. The student must also do at least one 75-nautical mile cross-country flight and perform three solo takeoffs and landings.
Helicopter Spotlight for Clarksburg
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.
Helicopter Spotlight for Clarksburg
The Bell UH-1 Iroquois (unofficially Huey) is a military helicopter powered by a singleturboshaft engine, with a two-bladed main rotor and tail rotor. The helicopter was developed by Bell Helicopter to meet theUnited States Army's requirement for a medical evacuation and utility helicopter in 1952, and first flew on 20 October 1956. Ordered into production in March 1960, the UH-1 was the first turbine-powered helicopter to enter production for the United States military, and more than 16,000 have been produced worldwide. The first combat operation of the UH-1 was in the service of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. The original designation of HU-1 led to the helicopter's nickname of Huey. In September 1962, the designation was changed to UH-1, but \Huey remained in common use. Approximately 7000 UH-1 aircraft saw service in Vietnam.
Interesting Helicopter Facts for Fairmont
There are more than 11,000 civil helicopters operating just in the U.S. and more than 15,000 civil helicopters operating in more than 157 other countries around the world.
The record for the fastest helicopter in the world is held by the Sikorsky X2 which, during a flyby over Florida, United States, clocked 258mph (416kph). But this was beaten recently. On June 7th 2013, the X3 blew through the previous air speed record for helicopters by cruising at 255 knots (293 MPH) during a 40-minute flight over Southern France near Istres.
Aviation Quotes for Fairmont
Flight Instructor Facts for Fairmont The usual cost for a refresher course is roughly $200 US Dollars (USD). There are, however, additional costs for course options, such as in-house certification. This option allows you to obtain your updated certification certificate directly from the course provider instead of traveling to your local Federal Aviation Association (FAA)
Helicopter Fun Facts for Huntington
Whereas the latter require long runways on which to reduce forward velocity, helicopters have to reduce only vertical lift, which they can do by hovering prior to landing. Thus, they don't even require shock absorbers: their landing gear usually comprises only wheels or skids, or both.
Helicopter Facts for Huntington
Helicopter Training Facts for Huntington: There are a lot of facts, laws, rules, and regulations that must be memorized in helicopter pilot training. The ability to quickly memorize information and retain it is very important. Almost 60 percent of training is completed in the classroom. Be prepared for hours of class, followed by long hours of studying.
Fun Helicopter Facts for Martinsburg:
If you include military helicopters it is estimated that there are more than 45,000 operating worldwide.
The record for the fastest helicopter in the world is held by the Sikorsky X2 which, during a flyby over Florida, United States, clocked 258mph (416kph). But this was beaten recently. On June 7th 2013, the X3 blew through the previous air speed record for helicopters by cruising at 255 knots (293 MPH) during a 40-minute flight over Southern France near Istres.
Helicopter Spotlight for Martinsburg
The Eurocopter UH-72 Lakota is a twin-engine helicopter with a single four-bladed main rotor. The UH-72 is a militarized version of the Eurocopter EC145 and is built by American Eurocopter division of EADS North America. Initially marketed as the UH-145 the helicopter was selected as the winner of the United States Army's Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) program on 30 June 2006. In October 2006 American Eurocopter was awarded a production contract for 345 aircraft to replace aging UH-1H/V and OH-58A/C helicopters in the U.S. Army and Army National Guard fleets.
Interesting Helicopter and Fixed-wing Facts for Morgantown
Igor Sikorsky built the first four-engine plane in 1913 and, after decades of development, he crafted the first working helicopter, with its first test flight in 1939. He designed and built the first military helicopter named XR-4. He delivered it to Colonel Franklin Gregory of the U.S. Army in 1940. In 1958, Igor Sikorsky's rotorcraft company made the world's first helicopter that had a boat hull and could land and takeoff from water. It could also float on the water.
Helicopter Facts for Morgantown
Helicopter Training Facts for Morgantown: Before you commit to a full program of lessons, it can be a good idea to take a test lesson in a helicopter to make sure that you like flying in the rotor-powered vehicles.
Helicopter Pilot Jobs for Morgantown 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.
Helicopter Facts for Parkersburg
If the engine stops on a helicopter the rotor continues to spin allowing the machine to slowly land generally without crashing to the ground. Although Hollywood would have you thinking otherwise if the power is lost in flight the helicopter is safer than if you were flying in an airplane and the same thing happens. Helicopters do not have the best of glide ratios but as long as the rotor blades keep turning helicopters can do something airplanes cannot do; autorotation. Because of the rotating wings (rotors) instead of fixed wings like the airplane acting like a windmill as it floats down.
Helicopter Facts for Parkersburg
The Boeing/Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche unveiled in 1999 is the first helicopter using stealth technology. It is made of carbon-fiber and other composite materials, and the rotor hub is hidden.
Interesting Helicopter and Fixed-wing Facts for Weirton
Over 3 million lives have been saved by helicopters in both peacetime and wartime operations since the first person was rescued from the sea in 1944.
Fixed-Wing Aircraft Factoid Stabilator
A movable horizontal tail section, called a stabilator, is a control surface that combines the action of both the horizontal stabilizer and the elevator. Basically, a stabilator is a horizontal stabilizer that can also be rotated about the horizontal axis to affect the pitch of the aircraft.
Helicopter Facts for Weirton
Helicopter Careers - Military: The other factor to consider is the time commitment required to obtain your helicopter pilot license in the military. The military absolutely expects that you are a military officer first and a pilot second. This exchange requires a lot of give and take and should be considered prior to making a concrete decision. If you feel strongly about the military and are willing to sacrifice a block of your time
Helicopter History for Wheeling
The airframe, or fundamental structure, of a helicopter can be made of either metal or organic composite materials, or some combination of the two. Higher performance requirements will incline the designer to favor composites with higher strength-to-weight ratio, often epoxy (a resin) reinforced with glass, aramid (a strong, flexible nylon fiber), or carbon fiber.
Helicopter Facts for Wheeling
Pilot ratings remove flying restrictions. An instrument rating says that a pilot doesn't need visual references to fly, and can instead rely solely on a plane's instruments. It's required for airline transport pilots, though private and commercial pilots also commonly earn it. Without a multi-engine rating, pilots can fly only single-engine planes. Commercial pilots need the multi-engine rating for employment.