The FAA is confronting a shortage of about 3,000 air traffic controllers, with roughly 35% of trainees failing to complete ...

The Federal Aviation Administration's training academy is trying to get thousands more controllers into chronically understaffed towers. Scripps News got to take a look inside the FAA's largest class.

So we don't net 1,800 controllers," Wilbanks said. The grueling job requires air traffic controllers to retire at age 56, and applicants to the academy can be no older than 30.

The academy “is the introduction into air traffic,” said Chris Wilbanks, FAA vice president for mission support. “This really is giving the students the base of what air traffic really is ...

Applicants must pass a medical exam, an aptitude test and a psychological test that is more stringent than that required of a pilot, said Chris Wilbanks, FAA deputy vice president of safety and ...

The academy “is the introduction into air traffic,” said Chris Wilbanks, FAA vice president for mission support.

The academy “is the introduction into air traffic,” said Chris Wilbanks, FAA vice president for mission support. “This really is giving the students the base of what air traffic really is ...

The academy “is the introduction into air traffic,” said Chris Wilbanks, FAA vice president for mission support.

The academy “is the introduction into air traffic,” said Chris Wilbanks, FAA vice president for mission support.

The academy “is the introduction into air traffic,” said Chris Wilbanks, FAA vice president for mission support.