Gail Zlotky

gzlotky@mtsu.edu

Gail Zlotky

Aerospace

Discipline specific equipment

BAS S112B

New Technology

N/A

MTSU Aerospace Department is one of only 13 universities selected in the United States to train individuals to become Air Traffic Controllers. MTSU has the best reputation within the FAA academy for sending students that are prepared and knowledgeable, these students graduate top of the class. These results are accomplished through the use of air traffic control simulators. By exposing our students to the simulated world of air traffic they have a major advantage and I am confident that this is why MTSU has a 100% placement rate. Last year, I received an email stating that “current workstations are no longer manufactured nor are they maintainable for much longer. [The supplier] highly recommends replacing the workstations no later than late 2003 or early 2004.” Our workstations are 8 years old. The software required allows faculty to create simulated radar screens, which can replicate up to 120 aircraft and allow the use of pseudo-pilots that can further challenge the students’ ability to deal with real-world circumstances. Voice recognition trains students to use correct phraseology. The software requires a network of workstations for students to practice communicating, controlling, operating and managing air traffic. During December 2004 the Federal government issued a statement saying that the Air Traffic controllers in this country are retiring at a high rate and that in the next ten years the selected schools will need to train 12,500 controllers to meet the needs of the nation. This statement made the Associated Press, creating national news coverage. Because of this the Aerospace department has had over 100 people apply for the training program in the three weeks that school has been in session. The Aerospace department is expecting a large enrollment increase in the Fall of 05. This semester (Spring 05) the ATC class increased 500% over the previous year. It is for this reason that I am requesting additional Air Traffic Control computer based simulators