FAA Seeks Air Traffic Recruits in High Schools

NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have established a cooperative agreement that will offer schools a broad range of occupational educational activities, the first of which is "Smart Skies," an online air traffic control simulator for fifth through ninth grade students. The intent of the program is to foster student development of science, technology, engineering and math skills. Participating students will take a tour of the Air Traffic Control System Command Center at the David J. Hurley Air Traffic Control System Command Center, 13600 EDS Drive, Herndon, Va. and will have the opportunity, with the aid of FAA experts, to solve air traffic control problems using the Smart Skies simulator. NASA developed the program with assistance from air traffic controllers at the FAA's Oakland, Calif., facility. 50 local students will join NASA Assistant Administrator for Education Joyce Winterton and FAA Associate Administrator for Region and Center Operations Ruth Leverenz for a demonstration of the new program on this coming Wednesday, May 9, at 10 a.m. According to the FAA, Smart Skies provides a fun and exciting way for students to learn math and be exposed to high technology careers related to aviation. The FAA is interested in recruiting new ATCO's because of an anticipated looming shortage in the next five to ten years.