Onboarding plan
Air Traffic Controller Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)
A practical, printable plan to take a new air traffic controller from first day to full productivity.
Air Traffic Controller onboarding at a glance
Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.
Before day one
- Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
- Verify required credentials: FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist certification, Class II medical certificate (as applicable)
- Prepare equipment and access: radar displays; radios and headsets; flight strips or electronic flight data; weather displays
- Assign a buddy or preceptor
- Enroll the new hire in Air Traffic Controller training so foundations are covered before or during week one
Week one: orient and protect
- Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
- Follow fatigue rules and required breaks
- Use standard phraseology
- Scan runways and radar continuously
- Report errors and safety concerns
- Shadow an experienced air traffic controller through a full shift
- Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)
Days 1–30: learn
Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.
- Supervised practice: issue a takeoff clearance
- Supervised practice: handle an aircraft emergency
- Supervised practice: conduct a position relief briefing
- Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
- 30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins
Days 31–60: contribute
Goal: handle a regular workload independently.
- Issue takeoff, landing and taxi clearances: independently
- Maintain separation between aircraft: independently
- Monitor radar and flight data: independently
- Communicate with pilots by radio: independently
- Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
- Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
- 60-day check-in
Days 61–90: own
Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.
- Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
- Begin cross-training on a secondary task
- Agree on a credential goal (for example, FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist certification)
- Discuss the career path: Developmental Controller → Certified Professional Controller → Supervisor or Trainer
- 90-day review
Competency checklist
| Skill or task | Trained | Observed | Signed off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issue a Takeoff Clearance | |||
| Handle an Aircraft Emergency | |||
| Conduct a Position Relief Briefing | |||
| Aircraft separation standards | |||
| Radio phraseology | |||
| Radar operation | |||
| Airspace and procedures |
How to measure onboarding success
- Units per hour or stops per day versus target
- Pick, scan or delivery accuracy
- Incidents and equipment damage
- 30- and 90-day retention
How Air Traffic Controller training maps to this plan
- Introduction to the Air Traffic Controller Role
- A Day on the Job
- Essential Air Traffic Controller Vocabulary
- Core Duties and Responsibilities
- Common Tasks, Step by Step
- Tools, Equipment and Technology
- Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
- Skills Employers Look For
- Launching Your Air Traffic Controller Career
- Final Knowledge Check