Air traffic control simulators come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with varying degrees of difficulty and realism. Amateurs who want a taste of the profession can participate in the program, as can students who are enrolled in a professional air traffic controller (ATC) training program. Non-professional programs allow users to learn about an air traffic control system while performing tasks on a personal computer from the comfort of their own homes. Undergraduate degrees in air traffic control are available at many colleges and universities across the country. Radar and non-radar simulations are used in class to give students hands-on experience with real-world air traffic control situations.
Students and others interested in getting a taste of directing air traffic should go to the NASA website, which has one of the most basic air traffic control simulators available online. Individuals direct incoming aircraft by regulating plane route and speed on a series of runways in the simulator. Aspiring air controllers can gain experience by selecting levels with two to five planes. Individuals learn to safely guide traffic in each control level through a series of problem scenarios.
Air traffic control simulators on the Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network (VATSIM), a large and complex online game, are used by novice airspace controllers looking for a more realistic experience. Hundreds of thousands of people use the website for free and interact with real-life flight simulations. Members choose one of six divisions located around the world after enrolling on the site. The site’s online training program, which has five levels of instruction, is for new air controllers. Students will learn theory as well as practical lessons in flight terminology and control procedures as part of the training program.
Students are guided through the course by documentation as well as audio and visual learning aids at each level of training. Participants must pass theory tests and accompanying practical stimulator tests before progressing to the next level of training. A minimum passing score of 80% is required. While assisting pilots, the VATSIM site teaches controllers the methodology for safely managing arriving and departing ground and air traffic flow. Professionals who want to hone their skills by encountering a variety of scenarios are often drawn to simulators because of the realistic scenarios they present.
Individuals interested in a career in airspace control typically earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree from a Federal Aviation Administration-approved institution (FAA). Students gain practical experience on air traffic control simulators at the facility in addition to general coursework and classroom lectures. Instructors use radar and non-radar simulators, which have a variety of exercises that can be customized for different levels of training. Each exercise has a grading system that assigns points for correct answers and lists errors. Play, record, and replay functions are included in simulated exercises, allowing students to review and learn from various scenarios to which they have responded.