Former Phoenix-based pilot talks industry safety following recent U.S. plane crashes

A shortage of air traffic controllers is a problem at airports across the country, a shortage that has been acknowledged by the new Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy.

While air traffic control staffing in Phoenix sits about average, a former pilot who is based in Arizona said the landscape has changed, with a decrease of people entering the aviation industry in general.

Captain shares his worries

"There’s a shortage of people available who want to do the job," said Cpt. Ron Nielsen. "It's a very technical, complicated job."

By the numbers:

In Phoenix, FAA figures show that Sky Harbor Airport has 60 of 61 Tracon positions, or positions in charge of aircraft landing and departing, are filled.

Meanwhile, of the 35 tower positions at Sky Harbor, 28 are filled.

"We have a complex aviation system with all the takeoff and landing that we have now. It all hinges on a lot of stuff," said Cpt. Neilsen.

We have reached out to the FAA and the Phoenix tower on what they seen day-to-day.

Dig deeper:

The FAA’s 2024 Workforce Plan states new controllers are being hired two to three years in advance to make up for the shortfall, but it’s not keeping up with the demand.

Trevor Cristoffersen has got a taste of it, with a degree in Air Traffic Control Management. However, that doesn’t not guarantee a spot in the FAA’s air traffic control specialists program in Oklahoma.

"I mean, compared to high school, it’s like foreign," said Cristoffersen.

As for the job, it's is high stress and long hours, which can cause burn out.

"I’m talking about a high wash out rate. That’s just like two hours at a time looking at a scope, and then there is stress because you know that you don’t want to miss anything on that. You know the other night, I mean no matter what happened with what we find out the outcome, those guys in the tower are going to carry that with them the rest of their lives," said Cpt. Nielsen.

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