Fortnite ads help FAA hire record 2,000 air traffic controllers in one year
A US recruitment drive targeting gamers for air traffic controller jobs has delivered a record result: more than 2,000 candidates were hired in a single year, the highest number ever. Another 2,000-plus applicants are now moving through the pipeline toward the FAA Academy.
The Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration launched the gaming-focused campaign in April to tackle the country's long-running controller shortage. The promotional video featured footage from Fortnite with the message, "You've been training for this." The agencies believe experienced gamers often have valuable skills for the role, including spatial awareness, multitasking, rapid decision-making, sustained concentration, and problem-solving.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the initiative reached 94% of its hiring target faster than any previous campaign. He said the effort is building "the strongest, sharpest workforce in aviation history." It is worth noting that the record numbers cover the entire campaign, not just avid gamers, although the ads were specifically designed to reach younger players.
Applicants must meet the FAA's standard requirements: US citizenship, fluency in English, and being under 31 at the time of application. They also need to pass the 3.5-hour Air Traffic Skills Assessment, medical and psychological evaluations, drug screening, fingerprinting, and federal background checks.
Those accepted attend the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City before completing one to three years of on-the-job training. Trainees start at $22.61 per hour, with health and housing benefits included. Certified controllers earn over $155,000 annually on average within three years of graduating from the academy.
Gaming experience alone is not enough: roughly one-third of recruits reportedly fail to complete training. The job also carries intense pressure, as controllers must safely coordinate multiple aircraft while working shifts.
