TCC Student Becomes First Enhanced Air Traffic Control Graduate Hired by FAA

TCC’s Rebecca Nobles became the first graduate of an Enhanced Air Traffic Control program in the United States to be hired directly by the Federal Aviation Administration. Nobles bypassed the traditional FAA Academy thanks to TCC’s participation in the FAA’s Enhanced Air Traffic–Collegiate Training Initiative.

At just 20 years old, Rebecca Nobles has become the first graduate of an Enhanced Air Traffic Control program in the United States to be hired directly by the Federal Aviation Administration. This milestone is a personal victory for Nobles, a recent graduate of Tulsa Community College, and a breakthrough moment for the future of air traffic control training in the country.

“I chose air traffic control because I am drawn to the high-stakes environment and the responsibility of ensuring safe and efficient air travel, and I also had relatives who worked in the field, sparking my interest,” Nobles says, reflecting on the path she committed to at the age of 17.

Nobles entered the program just before TCC became one of the nation’s first colleges to join the FAA’s Enhanced Air Traffic – Collegiate Training Initiative in Fall 2024, a designation that allows graduates the opportunity to bypass the traditional FAA Academy in Oklahoma City and go directly to on-the-job training.

“I was very grateful to be in the right place at the right time,” Nobles says. “Bypassing the academy was a huge opportunity. It saved significant time in becoming a certified controller, and it’s helping the FAA increase their number of controllers faster.”

Growing up in Texas, Nobles searched for a practical yet robust route into the industry and landed on TCC, one of less than 40 air traffic control programs in the country.

“TCC was the closest school to me that was known to be a good two-year program,” she says. “I was able to get a degree in ATC and get a head start in my career quickly.”

Nobles immersed herself in TCC’s School of Science and Aeronautics, excelling in the classroom and serving as the director of public relations and marketing for the school’s Aviation Club. In that role, she helped lead student outreach and managed the club’s social media, a position she says helped her feel more connected to TCC’s aviation community.

Nobles’ experience and instructors at TCC played a pivotal role in shaping the kind of air traffic controller she’s becoming.

“TCC emphasized the importance of precision, attention to detail, and the ability to problem-solve before a problem even occurs, all while staying calm and composed,” she says. “I always think about how my professors, Terry Daniel and Taylor Williams-Busque, say that air traffic control is more than just guiding planes. It's about thinking ahead and being efficient. That’s when you really begin to become a good controller.”

“Rebecca represents exactly what our Enhanced ATC program is designed to produce—students who meet FAA Academy standards and exceed expectations in every way. Her focus, professionalism, and performance set the bar for what success looks like in this field,” says Daniel, ATC program coordinator and assistant professor.

“Rebecca joined us with the core qualities that make a good controller. She can multitask, think quickly, and she’s coachable,” says Williams-Busque, assistant professor. “As her air traffic skills developed, it quickly became clear she was going to make a great controller. We’re incredibly proud of Rebecca and excited to see where her career takes her.”

As the aviation industry faces a growing need for qualified air traffic controllers, Nobles’ achievement signals a promising new chapter, not just for her, but for TCC and the students who will follow in her footsteps.

For those considering TCC’s Air Traffic Control program, she offers a clear endorsement: “TCC offers excellent training, great simulator resources, knowledgeable instructors, and speeds up the job process through their enhanced program.”

Nobles has returned to her Texas roots and is now stationed at Waco Tower, a Level 7 FAA facility located in Waco, Texas. She will begin her career stepping into a role that few her age, or background, have achieved.