Aviation News

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has selected Lewis University as one of nine new colleges and universities to prepare students for careers as air traffic controllers. The University was recently notified of its acceptance into the FAA’s Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program, which is part of a larger effort by the FAA to train and hire air traffic controllers as current professionals in the field reach retirement.

“Lewis University is pleased to have been designated by the FAA to offer this new degree program,” explained Brother James Gaffney, FSC, President of Lewis University. “Lewis has been a pioneer in aviation education, dating back to our founding in 1932. The University’s participation in the CTI program further advances Lewis as a leader in this field, and assists the nation in meeting a crucial need in the management and safety of air travel.”

The FAA estimates that over the next 10 years more than 15,000 air traffic controllers will be needed due to the retirement of current staff.

Designation as a CTI program is highly coveted and only 23 colleges and universities nationwide are approved participants to date. Lewis is the only university in Illinois with this designation. Lewis University plans to officially launch its new air traffic controller program in the fall of 2008.

Acceptance into the program classifies an educational institution as an FAA partner, and gives hiring preference to those who are graduates of these schools. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for an air traffic controller is more than $100,000.

“Lewis University is positioned to provide students with a strong and rigorous program and internship possibilities better than any existing air traffic control school in the Midwest,” said William Brogan, Chair of Lewis’ Department of Aviation and Transportation Studies.

In addition to the Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) in Aurora, Chicago’s busy Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) in South Elgin, and the automated Flight Service Station in Kankakee, several busy tower-controlled airports operate near Lewis’ main campus in Romeoville.

Located adjacent to the main campus is the Lewis University Airport which serves as a reliever airport for O’Hare International.

“A full array of air traffic facilities exist within close proximity to the University,” explained Brogan. “Lewis University’s access to this range of facilities provides our program with the unique capability of introducing our aviation majors to the real world of air traffic control. In fact, more air traffic controller positions exist in Chicago than anywhere else in the country. Our location combined with our proven academic programs and our long history in aviation education makes Lewis University a preferred institution of choice.”

“A significant number of Lewis students have already expressed an interest in becoming air traffic controllers,” said William Parrot, Associate Professor of Aviation and Transportation Studies at Lewis. “The ATC program is a fitting addition to the University’s other aviation and transportation-related studies. It is only natural that students would be interested in studying to become air traffic controllers at a university with a rich aviation heritage, located in the Chicagoland area, and committed to practical career preparation grounded in the liberal arts.”

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