TheFederal Aviation Administrationis looking for the "next generation of air traffic controllers," and gamers might be the ones to fill the role.
TheFAA announcedApril 10 that it would open the annual air traffic control hiring window on Friday, April 17, and the agency seems to be eyeing young people who play video games to apply.
"This campaign’s innovative communication style and focus on gaming taps into a growing demographic of young adults who have many of the hard skills it takes to be a successful controller," Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement.
Here's what to know about the campaign and what it takes to become an air traffic controller.
Travelers are getting a mood boost from therapy llamas making surprise appearances at this busy airport terminal.Therapy llamas, Beni (left) and Prince, at the Portland International Airport. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
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Travelers are getting a mood boost from therapy llamas making surprise appearances at this busy airport terminal.Therapy llamas, Beni (left) and Prince, at the Portland International Airport.
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When does the annual air traffic control hiring window open?
The hiring window will open on Friday, April 17 at 12 a.m. ET.
What are the requirements needed to apply?
Applicants must meet the following requirements to be hired as an air traffic controller, according to theFAA's website:
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Must be a U.S. citizen
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Be under 31 years old at the time of application
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Speak English "fluently and clearly"
After applying, air traffic control hopefuls will need to take the Air Traffic Skills Assessment, a 3.5-hour computer-based test and pass medical and security clearances, which include fingerprinting, federal background checks and medical exams.
Candidates who are hired are then sent to Academy Training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. Once they graduate, they will be deployed and gain one to three years of on-the-job experience before becoming Certified Professional Controllers.
"Safety is the FAA’s top priority, and that starts with hiring top talent and equipping them with world-class tools," FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said in a statement. "We need the best people, the best training, and the best tools because we expect the best results."
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Over 100,000 applied, but very few are hired
From 2017 to 2022, 106,500 people with prior experience applied to become air traffic controllers, according to theU.S. Government Accountability Office. Around 4,000 people were hired.
The number dwindled even further as candidates' training began during that period, and only about 2,300 became fully certified or completed on-the-job training.
Air traffic controllers staffing shortage
The new hiring campaign comes after the air traffic controller workforce decreased by 6% from 2015 to 2025, despite the FAA increasing hiring every year since 2021, the GAO said.
Prior to the government shutdown in November 2025, 11,000 fully certified controllers worked in theU.S.'s air traffic control system, according to USA TODAY's previous reporting. But that number was still 30% fewer than what the government says is needed.
Last year's shutdown only made matters worse, and air traffic controllers, who were already working 10-hour workdays, six days a week, suddenly stopped getting paid.
Many had to take on second jobs, and went on sick leave or used vacation time.
Between 20% to 40% of air traffic controllers were out of the office on any given day during the shutdown, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford previously said.
Contributing: Zach Wichter, USA TODAY
Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers popular toys, space phenomena, scientific studies, natural disasters, holidays, and trending news. Connect with her onLinkedIn,X,Instagram, andTikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:FAA looking for gamers to become air traffic controllers
