The Transportation Department’s inspector general has initiated an audit to examine the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) training of new air traffic controllers, according to an official document.
This review follows an announcement last year by the Transportation Secretary to “super-charge” the hiring of air traffic controllers. The initiative resulted in around 600 new trainees, but concerns have arisen regarding the training process.
The inspector general’s office reported that more than 30 percent of these trainees failed in fiscal year 2024. Additionally, the office pointed out that the FAA Academy is dealing with an outdated curriculum and a lack of qualified instructors.
These findings highlight significant challenges in the training of air traffic controllers, which is critical for maintaining aviation safety. The audit aims to address these issues and improve the overall effectiveness of the training program.
