FAA faces critical shortage of air traffic controllers. Here's a look into methods to retain and train them.
The Federal Aviation Administration's training facility in Oklahoma City serves as the sole location where the agency trains new controllers, but the program faces significant challenges with about 35% of students failing to complete the intensive three-month course. If someone fails, they are not eligible to try again, according to Chris Wilbanks, who oversees training and the FAA's efforts to address the controller shortage.
"It's one and done," Wilbanks said.
The FAA is working to reduce its training washout rate by adding a mentoring program to help students during their roughly three months at the FAA training center.
The agency has also streamlined the application process, and expects more than 2,000 students this year — the most ever.
However, a CBS News data review found that more than 90% of air traffic control towers in the U.S. are understaffed.
The training program includes traditional methods such as tabletop exercises where students use handheld model planes to simulate air traffic scenarios — a technique that may appear outdated but remains effective, according to Wilbanks.
"It slows things down for them. It gives them an opportunity to learn the airspace," Wilbanks said.
The FAA is modernizing its approach with immersive tower simulators installed at 95 facilities nationwide, reducing controller certification time by 27%. These simulators allow for real-time training scenarios that can be implemented within a week of actual events occurring.
Training exercises demonstrate the complexity of air traffic control, with controllers managing multiple aircraft simultaneously, some circling, others taxiing for takeoff, and others approaching to land. Precision in communication is crucial, since a single missing word in radio transmissions can create significant safety concerns.
"That is an absolute crucial part to the training. It slows things down for 'em. It gives 'em an opportunity to learn the airspace," said Wilbanks.
The FAA is also expanding a program to eight colleges, allowing students to complete basic air traffic control training at their schools rather than traveling to Oklahoma City.
Even after completing initial training, new controllers face an additional two years or more of on-the-job training before achieving full certification, highlighting the lengthy process required to address the current shortage.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
You Should Turn on Your Ceiling Fan Every Time You Use Your AC
Lots of factors determine the size of your energy bill in the summer, including whether you use window ACs, central AC, or mini splits, as well as how many window AC or split units you have, how well your home is insulated, the average electricity rate where you live, and of course, how hot it gets. A ceiling fan has its own variables, such as the size of its blades (the longer the blade, the more energy the fan uses) and how efficient its motor is. Even with so many variables, however, running a ceiling fan and raising your AC's temperature setting by a few degrees will use less energy in virtually any situation. Here's just one example: Our favorite budget window AC, the Frigidaire FHWW084TE1, uses 714 watts of power, according to its online specifications. Meanwhile, the Westinghouse Comet 52-Inch Indoor Ceiling Fan, a fan that we recommend, uses only 16 watts of power. Running a ceiling fan and raising your AC by a few degrees uses less energy in virtually any situation. Even if you have an ancient, inefficient ceiling fan, the energy savings can still be meaningful. According to Schiavon, 'an old fan uses maybe 100 watts' of power, which is much more efficient than a modern AC unit. As for how much money you can save, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority states, 'Each degree above 75°F that you set your air conditioner's thermostat saves you 3 percent of the energy used to cool your home.' So if you set your AC to 79 degrees — 4 degrees higher than the recommended 75 degrees — because you're also running your ceiling fan, that would shave about 12% off your bill, with only pennies per day added back onto your bill by the fan. That's similar to the findings from a study of residences in Florida (co-authored by Parker), which found that 'using ceiling fans combined with raising a home's temperature 2° F will generate about a 14% net savings in annual cooling energy use (subtracting out the ceiling fan energy and accounting for internally released heat).' However, Liam explains that the cost savings might not be as much, depending on where your fans and your ACs are located: 'If the fan isn't in the same room as the thermostat, it might not help in terms of energy savings,' he says. Perhaps the best thing about a fan is that practically any model can provide a significantly more pleasant environment amid sweltering heat, even if it's not the most efficient fan. As Parker said, 'it's all about the air motion where you are.' This article was edited by Megan Beauchamp and Maxine Builder. We've spent years testing window ACs to find the coolest, quietest options for your home. Efficiently circulate air and rely less on your HVAC system with a powerful, compact room fan. Midea's U-shaped window AC is whisper quiet and gets me through sweltering New York summers. But installation nearly broke my spirit. The Vornado ARA might not solve all the problems tower fans have, but its multipurpose appeal makes up for a lot of it.
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
The Best Gear for Small Apartments
The Best Gear for Small Apartments Your home is your sanctuary, regardless of its square footage. If you live in a smaller space, intentional design choices can keep close quarters from feeling chaotic and cramped. With a little planning, even the tiniest spaces can feel expansive, cozy, and refreshingly peaceful. To bring you the very best small-space solutions, Wirecutter's experts have put hundreds of home decor and organizing products to the test: We've 'jiggle-tested' shelves full of footwear to find the sturdiest shoe racks. We've jammed heavy tote bags, jackets, and umbrellas onto hooks to identify the best wall-mounted coat racks. And we've stuffed thick towels and jeans into drawers to test underbed storage options. Below, you'll find a roundup of our favorite organizers, compact furniture pieces, and other small-space essentials to help you make the most of every inch. From racks, hooks, and pegboards that maximize vertical space to benches and beds with built-in storage, these expert-vetted favorites will help you take advantage of every nook and cranny in your home.
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Firefighters Know How to Cook for a Crowd. Here's the Kitchen Gear They Swear By.
Cooking isn't just a necessity for firefighters working daylong shifts — it's part of the culture. 'The two most important times of our 24-hour shift are lunch and dinner because it's the time when all eight people come around the table,' said Mitchell Harr, a lieutenant on Engine 16 of the Aurora Fire Department in Colorado. 'We eat, we talk, we counsel, we make fun of one another — that's where all the therapy within the firehouse truly happens. If you can provide a good meal, it makes the experience that much better.' Of course, feeding a firehouse crew means planning for a crowd — and then some. 'If I'm cooking for nine, then I'm making enough to feed 15 to 20,' said Ben McGraw, a Richardson Fire Department firefighter in Texas who shares easy meal inspiration on Instagram as @firehousegrub. 'The last thing you want to do is run out of something. We're firemen. I would say we eat more than the average person does.' Whether you're meal-prepping for the week or cooking for a large group, you can learn a lot from these firehouse cooks. Below are the go-to tools firefighters rely on when they're whipping up meals for the entire crew. Plus, we share some helpful tips you can use in your own kitchen. Lieutenant Mitchell Harr (left) and Kevin Albert (right), the Aurora firehouse cooks. Elissa Sanci/NYT Wirecutter To observe the inner workings of a firehouse kitchen, I visited the Aurora Fire Department, where I spoke with Harr and Kevin Albert, two firefighters responsible for most of the meals at the AFD. I watched them make dinner for the crew in the bustling commercial-grade kitchen and then sat with them around the table once they called, 'Chow's up!' One thing was immediately clear: When you're cooking several meals a day for a large group, you need tools that can stand up to constant wear and tear. In the Aurora firehouse kitchen, there's nothing quite as instrumental as a cast iron skillet. 'There's not a day they're not used,' Albert said of the AFD's fleet of Lodge cast iron skillets, which also happen to be a top pick in our guide. The Aurora Fire Department has several Lodge cast iron skillets in varying sizes. Elissa Sanci/NYT Wirecutter Cast iron skillets are workhorses and can be used to cook just about anything, including searing steaks, frying eggs, roasting vegetables, and even baking cornbread or cakes. And, as long as they're cared for properly, they can last a lifetime. And few kitchen tools are as emblematic of that tradition than the cast iron pans that have been used by generations of firefighters. 'I don't even know how old they are,' McGraw said of the cast iron skillets he uses in the Richardson firehouse kitchen. 'These same pans were being used 70, 80 years ago. And that's not even specific to my firehouse — you go to any firehouse in the country, and they're gonna have the same cast iron pans from when the station was originally [opened]. The fire service is very big on tradition.' The AFD's Lodge cast iron dutch oven in action. Elissa Sanci and Jason Toledo/NYT Wirecutter But cast iron isn't only for skillets. 'Dutch ovens are big here,' Harr said, not only because they're versatile enough to cook a variety of meals, but they're also roomy enough for large-batch cooking. On the night I visited the AFD, Harr used the kitchen's Lodge 6-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven to prepare braised short ribs, moving the Dutch oven from the stovetop to the oven to finish cooking while we talked. The Lodge 6-quart Dutch oven, the top pick in our guide to the best Dutch ovens, has short sides and a wide base, which our experts say allow steam to escape more easily than deeper-walled pots. This gives you a better sear on meat and helps to concentrate flavors during cooking. Of all the tools in the kitchen, Albert considers a reliable instant-read thermometer the most indispensable. 'It's such a game changer,' he said. 'It's like looking inside the meat.' The Aurora firehouse kitchen has a ThermoPro TP15H on hand, but Albert says he prefers to use the ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2 when he's cooking at home. The ThermoPop 2 (a Wirecutter pick) provides fast, accurate temperature readings, displayed on an easy-to-read, backlit screen. According to our guide, it's also completely waterproof and able to withstand kitchen sprays and splashes. A good chef's knife is essential in any kitchen, and keeping it in good shape is a challenge in a firehouse. 'Guys will use knives then throw them in the dishwasher, and that's how they get dull,' McGraw explained, which he said can be frustrating. (Anyone who's been on a group trip probably knows the feeling.) To get around this, the RFD has two separate sets of knives. 'We have station knives, and then we have shift knives,' McGraw said. 'The station knives are the ones that get thrown in the drawers, and, you know, they're all beat to hell. So my crew, we all threw in together and bought a set of knives for us that we keep in our food locker.' Before the crew bought a new set, one of McGraw's co-workers brought in his Topfeel 3-Piece Butcher Knife Set from home to tide them over. They liked using the knives so much that they decided to buy a set of their own to keep in the kitchen. They've used the knife set now for a year, and he says that they've held up great despite being relatively inexpensive. The knives at the AFD have also seen better days. 'We have horrible knives. Nobody knows how to take care of them,' said Harr. Albert added that hiding high-quality knives is a common practice across firehouses. In a past role at another station, he said he kept his Wüsthof Classic Ikon Chef's Knife squirreled away in his locker to keep it in tip-top shape. 'A lot of our stuff gets used so much that we get the commercial-grade stuff,' McGraw said, adding that his firehouse usually procures their wares from restaurant supply stores. 'Most of our cutting boards are the big, heavy-duty plastic cutting boards that you would see inside of a restaurant.' Plastic cutting boards are easier to clean and maintain than wooden boards, which make them the go-to in fast-paced firehouse kitchens. McGraw says the Choice White Polyethylene Cutting Board, a sturdy option sold by restaurant supply stores, is warp- and crack-resistant and can withstand heavy use. Plus, it's roomy enough to accommodate the volume of food prep necessary for feeding the Richardson firehouse crew. Harr learned to cook while on the job. When he joined the fire service in 1996, he had never cooked a meal before. On his very first shift, he found himself in the kitchen preparing dinner for eight people. Using canned vegetables and other prepackaged ingredients, he nervously threw together an enchilada casserole. 'Was it edible? Yes,' Harr said, but it wasn't necessarily good. 'I'm mortified — we would never make that today.' Almost three decades later, Harr has moved away from the bland firehouse staples that he used to keep on rotation — like boiled meat and potatoes and casseroles made with canned soups — opting for more-creative, flavorful meals made with fresh ingredients that take more time, effort, and a few extra kitchen appliances to pull off. The KitchenAid 5.5 Quart standmixer made quick work of whipping potatoes into a creamy puree. Elissa Sanci and Jason Toledo/NYT Wirecutter Though not an essential for the firehouse cooks I spoke with, a stand mixer is nice to have when they're planning to make something more adventurous. On the night I visited the AFD, they used a KitchenAid 5.5 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer to whip together creamy mashed potatoes (it's a recommendation in our guide to stand mixers). In the past, they've used the mixer to make fresh pasta and homemade bread. On the menu: Braised short ribs, mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, and salad. Elissa Sanci/NYT Wirecutter Harr has found that a reliable rice cooker comes in handy when cooking for a crowd, too. Instead of tending to a boiling pot while juggling a number of other tasks, he can set it and forget it until it's time to eat. When preparing big batches of rice, the Aurora firehouse cooks use a Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker & Warmer, the top pick in our rice cooker guide. Though it's on the pricier side, Harr says the Nuero Fuzzy Rice Cooker is worth the cost. 'It's so consistent,' he said, adding that it makes the exact same rice every time. And, if cared for correctly, the machine can last years. 'My mom has had hers for … I don't even know how long!' The AFD Engine 16 crew sits down for dinner together every night. Elissa Sanci/NYT Wirecutter 'In our line of work, it's stressful. We see a lot of bad things,' McGraw said. Gathering around the dinner table offers the crew a chance to decompress and connect. 'It makes it that much better when it's a good meal that everyone enjoys.' Sometimes, though, dinner can be interrupted by an emergency call. 'That's the hardest thing' about cooking family dinner, Harr said. 'We try to make really good meals and we get interrupted.' When a call comes through, someone pushes an emergency button that cuts the power to the kitchen, which safely brings the cooking process to a standstill while they respond. On those nights, 'we eat a lot of cold food,' Harr said. This button cuts the power to the kitchen so the Aurora firefighters can safely respond to emergencies even if they're in the middle of cooking dinner. Elissa Sanci/NYT Wirecutter Because they're always cooking for a crowd, the firehouse cooks usually have leftovers to pack up after every meal. 'A lot of the single guys will take the leftovers home,' Harr said. 'And if it's something that I made that I like, then maybe I'll take it home.' To store all that extra food, the crew relies on durable Pyrex glass containers that can handle just about anything. Firehouse kitchens run on teamwork, tradition, and the kind of cooking that brings people together. No matter how many mouths they're feeding, these firefighters rely on tools that are tough enough to handle daily use and dependable enough to keep the crew well fed. And while their meals might occasionally go cold, the ritual of cooking and eating together always makes the effort worth it. This article was edited by Megan Beauchamp and Maxine Builder. Cooking can seem intimidating, but having the right tools makes all the difference. These 12 items are bound to give your kitchen ego a big boost. These buy-it-for-life Wirecutter picks will pass the test of time thanks to durable materials, solid construction, and generous warranties. They have one job, and they get it done! From our favorite cherry pitter to a leak-stopping peanut butter stirrer, here are the one-trick ponies we recommend.
