The Federal Aviation Administration has hired more than 2,000 video gamers to train as air traffic controllers, meeting 94% of its hiring goal, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the figure in a recent social media post, describing the recruitment campaign targeting gamers as a 'game changer' for the agency.
FAA Hires More Than 2,000 Video Gamers to Train as Air Traffic Controllers
The Federal Aviation Administration has hired more than 2,000 video gamers to train as air traffic controllers, meeting 94% of its hiring goal, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the figure in a recent social media post, describing the recruitment campaign targeting gamers as a 'game changer' for the agency.
Duffy launched the gamer recruitment initiative in April, saying the department needed to broaden its outreach to find prospective controllers. He told CBS News senior transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave in an interview at Newark Liberty International Airport that the skills involved in gaming — thinking quickly, staying focused, and managing multiple sources of information — closely mirror those required to guide more than 80,000 flights to their destinations daily.
Duffy also noted that many current trainees began as gamers, and that only about 25% of working controllers hold a traditional college degree. Former controllers have echoed the view that gaming and air traffic control share core cognitive demands.
In 2024, the most recent year for which federal data is available, the median annual wage for air traffic controllers was $144,580. Pay varies widely by experience and location; less experienced controllers at smaller airports earn close to $60,000 a year on average, according to aviation experts.
A December report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office identified a significant shortage of air traffic controllers and warned the shortfall could lead to increased flight delays or cancellations. A government shutdown late last year further discouraged some workers from entering the profession, as controllers — classified as essential personnel under law — were required to work without pay.
Before qualifying to train at the FAA's Air Traffic Controller Academy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, candidates must complete a rigorous application process. Requirements include U.S. citizenship, being under the age of 31, and passing FAA pre-employment tests, including an aptitude exam. Historically, fewer than 10% of applicants have met the FAA's requirements to gain admission to its training program.
- No independent assessment of the quality or readiness of the gamer recruits is provided.
- No response or commentary from air traffic controller unions or professional associations is included.
- The article does not specify how the FAA identified or targeted video gamers for recruitment.
- It is not stated how many of the 2,000-plus pipeline candidates are expected to complete training successfully.
- No timeline is given for when the pipeline candidates will complete the hiring process.