Original air date: April 17, 2024

Flying safely to our destination is something we don’t take for granted, but have you ever thought about the intricate logistics that make it all possible? Air traffic controllers are among the unsung heroes behind the scenes, ensuring the safety and efficiency of our airspace, and we need more of them!

Air traffic control is a challenging career, but for those with the right skills and determination, it’s incredibly rewarding. In this episode from Season 6, we hear firsthand from FAA’s Jose Castellanos, a controller at the San Juan tower in Puerto Rico. Jose shares his journey into the field, which began with his acceptance into the FAA's Minority Serving Institutions internship program. 

If you’re curious about becoming an air traffic controller and want to learn more, tune in to hear Jose share his top safety priorities, continuous learning strategies, and valuable advice for aspiring controllers. He also demonstrates interesting concepts like "phraseology," the specialized language used by controllers to communicate with pilots.

A career in air traffic control offers advanced training, the opportunity to make a real impact, and professional fulfillment. If you're ready to take on this specialized and skilled profession we’re now accepting applications through November 4, 2024. Visit www.faa.gov/be-atc to learn more about the application process. 

Share this episode with your network – you never know who might find inspiration to explore a fulfilling career path they hadn't considered before.

Thanks for sticking around as we take a break for the off-season. It's the perfect opportunity to catch up on episodes you might have missed or revisit your favorites. During this time, we'll be re-releasing standout episodes like this one as we gear up for the second half of Season 7, launching this spring.

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Disclaimer: Reference in this podcast to any specific commercial product, process, service, manufacturer, company, or trademark does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. government, Department of Transportation, or Federal Aviation Administration. As an agency of the U.S. government, the FAA cannot endorse or appear to endorse any specific product or service.