FAA to boost air traffic controller training

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ An accelerated training program for air traffic controllers could pump up to five (m) million dollars a year into the Oklahoma City economy. <br/><br/>The Federal Aviation Administration

Saturday, January 22nd 2005, 7:40 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ An accelerated training program for air traffic controllers could pump up to five (m) million dollars a year into the Oklahoma City economy.

The Federal Aviation Administration plans to train 12-thousand-500 prospective air traffic controllers over the next ten years to fill shortages caused by retirement. Training could begin in April at the F-A-A Academy at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center.

If funded by Congress, the F-A-A plans to give up to two thousand trainees a year as much as five (m) million dollars for housing, food, travel and other needs during their training.

The full effect of the program is not expected to be felt for a couple of years.

The retirements stem from the 1981 air traffic controllers' strike in which more than ten-thousand controllers were fired.