NATCA President Nick Daniels Addresses Students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

On Tuesday, February 17, NATCA President Nick Daniels and Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) Facility Representative Mike Driscoll visited Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla. for a comprehensive tour of its aviation programs. Daniels also addressed students as the featured speaker for Embry-Riddle’s Plane Talk speaker series as part of Aviation Week at the university.

Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, Embry-Riddle is one of 10 academic institutions nationwide that has met the criteria to be authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to offer the Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (Enhanced AT-CTI) program. Upon completion of the Enhanced AT-CTI curriculum, which is designed to mirror the FAA Academy’s training, graduates are placed directly into facility training upon FAA hiring and completion of required assessments.

During the visit, Daniels and Driscoll were guided through the air traffic control program, observing students performing live training scenarios in tower, TRACON, and en route simulations. They also toured the Aviation Maintenance Science Labs, Advanced Flight Simulation Center, and met with air traffic control students for an in-depth discussion about the profession.

Daniels also sat down with university leaders to discuss how NATCA and Embry-Riddle can work together to develop the next generation of air traffic controllers.

The visit concluded with Daniels addressing the student body as part of the Plane Talk speaking series. Daniels addressed questions from the moderator and students on the profession that touched on current events that have affected air traffic control and many of the real world challenges a prospective air traffic controller could encounter during their career.