# Air Traffic Control News > FAA recruitment, ATSA, training pathways and air traffic technology - dated announcements, verified facts and what they mean for applicants. Canonical: https://www.atcpracticetest.com/news/ Site guide: https://www.atcpracticetest.com/llms.txt Our air traffic control news coverage separates **official announcements**, **results published after those announcements**, and independent explanations for applicants. A hiring target is not a completed hire; a trainee hire is not yet a fully certified controller. Every update below links to its primary source. **Editorial source check: 8 November 2026.** The date beside each original article is its _publication date_, not a claim that the news event happened on that date. Open the story for the dated update and official documents. For current vacancies, use the [FAA hiring portal](https://www.faa.gov/atc-hiring), not an archived announcement. ## Latest confirmed FAA developments These are dated FAA releases, not claims that our independent site has already published a separate report on each event. - **6 November 2026 - digital towers operational.** The FAA announced digital tower systems at **Bartow Executive Airport, Florida** and **Kenai Municipal Airport, Alaska**. This is an operational technology announcement, not a change to ATSA eligibility. [Read the FAA announcement](https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-deploys-first-digital-air-traffic-control-towers-florida-and-alaska-equipping). - **16 October 2026 - FAA/NATCA pay agreement announced.** The FAA described a **2.8% pay-increase agreement** linked to workforce reforms. An agreement announcement is not an individualized compensation quote. [Read the FAA announcement](https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/trumps-transportation-department-air-traffic-controller-union-announce-28-pay-increase). - **1 October 2026 - FY 2026 hiring target exceeded.** The FAA reported **2,235 controller trainees hired** against its **2,200 target**. These are hires, _not_ newly certified professional controllers. Read the [updated hiring-plan analysis](/news/faa-2026-controller-hiring-plan/) or the [FAA result release](https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-breaks-all-time-record-air-traffic-controller-trainee-hiring). ## Our air traffic control news articles The list below uses each article's original publication date and includes later corrections within that article. New official developments can be noted above without creating a misleading backdated article. ### [FAA Mobile Clearance: Eligible Pilots, 2026 Test Airports, 2027 Rollout](/news/faa-mobile-clearance-digital-departure-clearances/) Article published: July 24, 2026 · Reviewed: November 9, 2026 The FAA is evaluating IFR departure clearances via selected pilot apps. Its September 2026 programme update identifies eligibility, airport phases and a February 2027 target, not a guarantee of universal availability. ### [FAA FMDS vs SMART: From June Contract to September 2026 Limited Use](/news/faa-fmds-smart-air-traffic-flow-software/) Article published: July 24, 2026 · Reviewed: November 9, 2026 The FAA's June 22 FMDS/SMART award is no longer the latest development: on September 21 the agency introduced SMART in limited operation around Washington, DC. FMDS and nationwide deployment remain separate milestones. ### [FAA 2026 Hiring Plan: 2,200 Target, 2,235 Trainees Hired](/news/faa-2026-controller-hiring-plan/) Article published: July 23, 2026 · Reviewed: November 9, 2026 The FAA's May 2026 workforce plan set a 2,200-hire goal for FY 2026. Its October 1 result reported 2,235 trainee hires. Hiring is not the same as fully certified controller staffing. ### [Angelo State's Enhanced AT-CTI Pathway: FAA Academy and ATSA Rules](/news/angelo-state-enhanced-at-cti-program/) Article published: July 23, 2026 · Reviewed: November 9, 2026 The FAA's May 28, 2026 announcement named Angelo State the first Texas Enhanced AT-CTI school. Its approved tower pathway can bypass the FAA Academy for eligible graduates, but federal hiring and the ATSA still apply. ## Background: verify the actual recruitment route The [Angelo State Enhanced AT-CTI announcement](/news/angelo-state-enhanced-at-cti-program/) describes an alternative training route, not guaranteed FAA employment or an exemption from the ATSA. The [workforce-plan report](/news/faa-2026-controller-hiring-plan/) distinguishes fiscal-year targets, actual trainee hires and fully certified staffing. For eligibility and selection, consult [FAA controller requirements](/faa/requirements/), the [FAA hiring process](/faa/hiring-process/) and [what the ATSA assesses](/atsa/what-is-the-atsa/). Our [editorial policy](/editorial-policy/) explains how we use primary sources and correct previously published information.