Does attending the FAA Academy qualify as prior experience under the FAA’s previous-experience hiring pathway?

No. Students should include FAA Academy attendance wherever our forms request prior training, education, or aviation experience, but Academy attendance alone does not qualify as prior experience under the FAA’s previous-experience hiring pathway. The FAA requires at least 52 consecutive weeks of full-time certified air traffic control experience after receiving an air traffic or facility rating at a qualifying facility. Applicants should review the FAA’s current experienced-controller requirements for complete eligibility information.