The Aviation Department at Nashua Community College will be launching an Air Traffic Control degree program this fall. Courtesy photo/Nashua Community College

NASHUA – Although the spring semester has ended, work has not stopped for professors in the Aviation Department at Nashua Community College as they prepare to launch the Air Traffic Control Associate’s degree program this fall.

Department Chairman Douglas Mitchell said nine of the program’s 12 available seats have already been filled.

“Up until now, the (Collegiate Training Initiative) was the highest certification you could get as a college student,” he said. “But with the Air Traffic Control shortages last year; they have established a new way for schools to do the full curriculum versus having to go to the Air Traffic Control Academy in Oklahoma.”

Mitchell also said this will be the only ATC program in New Hampshire as Southern New Hampshire University ended its Air Traffic Management program two years ago. The next closest program is in New York and another one, in Augusta, Maine, remains under development.

As of early May, the Aviation Department was waiting for the initial certification from the Federal Aviation Administration. The department is also in the process of obtaining an Enhanced Collegiate Training Initiative. This will allow students to complete their initial ATC training in Nashua.

“Once we get our final certification, you can get everything you need at NCC,” said Mitchell. “We have a formal relationship with the FAA and they will support us in getting everything we need to get certified.”

According to Talent.com, the average starting salary for an air traffic controller in

New Hampshire is approximately $57,428 per annum.

However, despite the higher salaries, Mitchell said the FAA has strict requirements for new employees.

“You have to be younger than 31 by completion of the program,” he said. “You have to be a U.S. citizen, fluent in English and there’s going to be medical clearance, drug testing and background checks; all required before they are hired.”

In addition, students must score a minimum of 85 on the Air Traffic Control Assessment exam.

“This score is part of the package that will go to the FAA,” said Mitchell. “If they don’t score high enough, they won’t be looked at by the FAA. That’s why we have them take the assessment early.”

Students can take the exam twice while they are in the program.

Anyone who would like to apply for the program should contact Donna Lisa Sanchez at DSanchez@ccsnh.edu.