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Built by former FAA controllers—including an FAA Academy instructor.
Amanda Staniec spent nearly a decade controlling live en route traffic at Oakland Center (ZOA) and served as a ZOA Area Training Representative, the person responsible for taking Academy graduates and preparing them to train on real-world traffic. Since her FAA career, she has continued working in aviation, including supporting NASA research into how next-generation aircraft will integrate into the National Airspace System and affect air traffic control operations—giving her more than 12 years of aviation-industry experience.
Ronnie Williams spent 32 years with the FAA, serving at Indianapolis Center (ZID), Jacksonville Center (ZJX), Oakland Center (ZOA), and Honolulu Tower and TRACON at the Honolulu Control Facility (HCF). Throughout his career, he worked in both en route and terminal operations and served as an On-the-Job Training Instructor (OJTI), training new controllers who arrived at those facilities directly from the Academy. Ronnie also instructed at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, where he trained aspiring air traffic controllers.
Between them, Amanda and Ronnie have trained and worked with hundreds of Academy graduates. They know exactly what FAA training produces, and where it falls short.
4
Major FAA facilities between them — ZID, ZJX, ZOA, HCF
2
Former FAA controllers bringing En Route, Terminal, and training experience
40+
Combined years of FAA air traffic control experience
0
Competitors combining 40+ years of FAA experience
Amanda Staniec
Former FAA En Route Controller, Oakland Center (ZOA) · ZOA Area Training Representative · Founder of ATC Prep Course
12+ Years in Aviation
~10 Years ATC
Degree in Education
Off-the-Street Hire
Amanda came into air traffic control the same way most people reading this would—off the street and with no aviation background. She had a degree in education and planned to become a teacher when her sister encouraged her to apply. She successfully completed the FAA’s hiring process and Academy, then spent nearly a decade controlling live en route traffic at Oakland Center (ZOA).
As her Area Training Representative, Amanda helped prepare Academy graduates to begin training on live traffic. She has continued working in aviation through consulting and research supporting air traffic control operations, giving her more than 12 years of industry experience. Her background in education and firsthand experience entering the field without an aviation background help shape the clear, accessible preparation offered through ATC Prep Course.
Why ATC Prep Course exists
The path to becoming an air traffic controller happens in stages, and each stage requires a different kind of preparation. The ATSA tests cognitive abilities in an unfamiliar format. The FAA Academy moves quickly and introduces a large amount of new information. Facility training is where that knowledge must be applied while learning to control live traffic.
Amanda arrived at the FAA Academy without even knowing the phonetic alphabet—Alpha, Bravo, Charlie—and immediately felt behind. She ultimately succeeded when only half of her class passed, but she never forgot how discouraging it felt to begin without the foundational knowledge others seemed to have.
Years later, Amanda founded ATC Prep Course with Ronnie Williams, one of the instructors who trained her at Oakland Center. Together, they created the clear direction, realistic practice, and accessible preparation they wished had been available when they were training. ATC Prep Course cannot make the process easy or guarantee success, but it can make each stage clearer and help applicants and trainees understand what to expect next.
Amanda's Hiring Timeline
February
Applied on the final day of an off-the-street FAA hiring announcement.
March–May
Passed the ATSA and received a tentative offer, beginning the FAA’s medical, security, and other pre-employment clearance requirements.
June
Received a firm offer to report to the FAA Academy within two weeks. Having just given birth, Amanda postponed her start date.
October
Reported to the FAA Academy with her five-month-old baby and completed both Basics and En Route training.
The Following February
Passed the FAA Academy and reported to her assigned facility.
ATSA Practice Test
The ATSA Practice Test covers all 7 sections with full timed simulation. Section-level scoring shows you exactly where to focus.
If you're preparing for the ATSA — or just want to know where you stand — this is the direct path.
Free Mini-Test
Not sure where you stand? Take the free 8-minute ATSA mini-test. No account, no credit card.
Ronnie Williams
Former FAA En Route & Terminal Controller · FAA Academy Instructor · Co-Founder of ATC Prep Course
32 Years with the FAA
Academy Instructor
ZID · ZJX · ZOA · HCF
En Route & Terminal Certified
Ronnie Williams brings 32 years of FAA experience across both en route and terminal air traffic operations. His career included controlling live traffic, instructing at the FAA Academy, and preparing controllers to earn certification at operational facilities.
Ronnie spent much of his career working with new controllers as they transitioned from the Academy classroom to live traffic. That experience taught him where preparation gaps appear, which concepts and skills trainees struggle with most, and what helps them progress toward certification. His firsthand knowledge helps shape the practical courses and practice tools offered through ATC Prep Course.
Ronnie's Career Timeline
1989
Joined the FAA as an off-the-street hire and began training at the FAA Academy. After graduating, Ronnie reported to his first facility, Indianapolis Center (ZID).
Career Progression
To broaden his operational experience across both terminal and en route environments, Ronnie transferred to Honolulu Tower/TRACON (HCF), then to Jacksonville Center (ZJX), before returning to Indianapolis Center.
End of FAA Career
Transferred to Oakland Center (ZOA), where he met Amanda and served as one of her instructors.
After Retirement
Continued training future controllers as an instructor at the FAA Academy.
Today
Ronnie continues to provide contract services within the aviation industry. He also co-founded ATC Prep Course with Amanda Staniec, bringing decades of operational and instructional experience to the preparation of future controllers.
FAA Academy Basics Practice test
700+ questions. Unlimited timed mock exams. The same format as the Basics final. One student went from 53% to 71% in 13 days.
REAL RESULT
The preparation produces measurable improvement.
One student's data from the Basics Practice Test — four attempts on the full version and five on the 30-minute version over 13 days. Starting below the 70% pass threshold. Finishing well above it. This isn't a curated testimonial — it's account data.
FULL VERSION. 4 ATTEMPTS. 13 DAYS
61% → 88%
+27 pts
Started below the threshold. Finished 18 points above it.
30-MINUTE VERSION. 5 ATTEMPTS. 13 DAYS
53% → 78%
+18 pts
Consistent improvement across both formats.
Data from a real customer account. Individual results may vary. Consistent, targeted practice is the input — score improvement is the output.
THE DECISION TO BUILD THIS
The FAA is hiring thousands of people. Too Many Are Going In Unprepared.
The FAA plans to hire 2,200 air traffic controllers in 2026, 2,300 in 2027, and 2,400 in 2028—nearly 7,000 new hires in three years. Because controllers take years to train and certify, the FAA expects hiring to remain an ongoing priority as it rebuilds and maintains its workforce.
ATC Prep Course was built to help applicants and trainees prepare for what comes next. Our courses and practice tools focus on the specific tests, material, and challenges they will encounter at each stage—so they do not have to walk in blind.
In one analysis, the Government Accountability Office followed more than 106,000 applications through the FAA’s hiring pipeline. Only about 2% ultimately became fully certified controllers or remained in training. That does not mean the other 98% were incapable of doing the job. Capable candidates should not lose their opportunity simply because they did not know how to prepare. That’s what this is.