Great at gaming? US air traffic control wants you to apply
Great at gaming? US air traffic control wants you to apply
The U.S. government is urging individuals skilled in video games to consider careers as air traffic controllers, as it seeks to resolve a growing personnel gap in the sector. To attract applicants, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched a fresh campaign emphasizing the link between gaming prowess and the demands of air traffic control. The initiative is set to begin next week, with the ad showcasing the Xbox One logo before transitioning into visuals of gamers and controllers working in tandem.
The promotional video blends scenes of gamers engaged in online play with air traffic controllers focused on their computer screens. A voiceover states, “You’ve been training for this,” underscoring the parallels between gaming and the precision required in aviation control. The ad also highlights the financial incentive, noting that controllers can earn $155,000 (£115,000) after three years of service.
“The FAA must evolve to connect with the next generation of controllers,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. He added that the agency is targeting “a rising group of young adults who possess many of the technical skills needed for success in this field.”
The campaign draws inspiration from a 2021 effort under the Biden administration, which used the phrase “level up” to symbolize progress in gaming. That initiative also aimed to draw from the gaming community to fill vacant control positions. Air traffic control remains vital for ensuring safe aircraft operations, with controllers tasked with monitoring and directing planes to prevent collisions at airports, in the skies, and around runways.
Despite its importance, the profession faces a persistent shortage. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of unfilled roles is expected to increase annually. Last year, the FAA reported that it would be fully staffed with 14,663 active controllers, yet it was still 3,000 short. The agency projected that double the current workforce could leave by 2028. While staffing levels are now at their highest in six years, specific figures were not disclosed.
Industry leaders, including Nick Daniels of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, have endorsed the approach. “We support innovative methods to broaden the talent pool,” Daniels said. “As long as these pathways uphold the strict standards of a safety-critical role, gamers can contribute meaningfully.”
Recent high-profile incidents have intensified the need for new recruits. In early 2025, a military helicopter collided with a passenger jet above Ronald Reagan Airport, near Washington, DC, resulting in 67 fatalities. This year, an Air Canada flight crashed into an airport fire truck at La Guardia Airport, claiming two pilots’ lives.