All MTSU students are invited to attend an April 18 reception in the Department of Aerospace’s air traffic control lab to learn about air traffic control and lucrative career opportunities in that industry.

Aerospace students will provide an air traffic control demonstration to visitors in the new $3.2 million ATC simulator, said Raymond E. Johnson, an ATC simulator training instructor.

Students and their parents can drop by from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 18 to observe the simulation in the lab located in the Room S-112A in the south portion of the Business and Aerospace Building. A printable campus map with parking instructions is available at http://tinyurl.com/MTSUParkingMap13-14.

MTSU students and their parents can drop by from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 18 to observe a demonstration of the air traffic control simulator (shown above) inside the Business and Aerospace Building. (MTSU photo)

All visitors will have the opportunity to observe the lab in use, ask questions and determine if they are interested in pursuing a career in the aerospace field, organizers said. A pizza lunch will also be served.

“We want any interested students to come watch our students demonstrate their skills, and see how exciting an air traffic control career can be,” Johnson said. “The labs are challenging and fun, but not easy. It takes a special skill-set to do this work, and our veteran controllers can make a good assessment of that potential.

“If you complete the coursework and are hired by the FAA, there is the potential to make $100,000 to $175,000 a year.”

Johnson asks that interested students RSVP by email to MaryLou.Cornett@mtsu.edu by April 16.