Contact Us
Dr. Zarina Blankenbaker
President
Tarrant County College Northwest
Email nw-president@tccd.edu
Train the Next Generation of Air Traffic Controllers
Tarrant County College is launching North Texas’ first FAA-aligned air traffic control training program to heighten aviation safety and train aspiring ATC professionals in North Texas.
Help us reach our goal of $1,000,000
Each gift helps prepare the professionals who keep millions of travelers safe every day.
Why North Texas Needs an ATC Program
The Federal Aviation Administration relies on air traffic controllers to manage nearly 45,000 flights a day, but remains thousands of controllers short, placing immense — and unsafe — strain on the aviation system.
The Dallas-Fort Worth region — home to one of the world’s busiest airports and most complex airspaces — doesn’t have an air traffic control training program within 50 miles. TCC is launching an Air Traffic Control Associate of Applied Science degree to help close that gap and strengthen the aviation workforce in North Texas. The program is pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
TCC Partners with FAA
Through the FAA’s Enhanced Air Traffic – Collegiate Training Initiative designation, TCC joins a small group of institutions nationwide authorized to deliver FAA Academy-equivalent curriculum. The Air Traffic Control AAS degree:
- Teaches air traffic basics, Tower IQ and En Route IQ
- Offers state-of-the-art simulation-based training
- Prepares students for FAA Academy entry
What Your Support Builds
Your gift helps TCC develop the training environment that students need to become air traffic controllers:
- High-fidelity ATC simulators
- Radar and tower training workstations
- Instructor development
- FAA-aligned simulation labs
Learn More
This is an exciting opportunity for our region and for donors willing to invest in
preparing students for a high-demand, high-wage aviation career.
Take a Bold Step for Aviation in North Texas
Donate NowUpdated November 05, 2026