While Greeley and Weld County are known for agriculture, it’s great that the city will be home to Colorado’s first Enhanced Air Traffic Control Initiative Program.
How Long Has AIMS in Greeley Had an Aviation Program?
AIMS Community College (AIMS) in Greeley has had an an Aviation/Air Traffic program for over 50 years; AIMS earned the upgrade, and the opportunity to offer the program. As of 2026, there were only 10 other schools/institutions with the Enhanced Air Traffic Control Initiative (E-CTI) program:
- Tulsa Community College.
- University of Oklahoma.
- University of North Dakota.
- Middle Georgia State University.
- Nashua Community College (New Hampshire.)
- Vaughn College of Aeronautics & Technology (New York.)
- SUNY Schenectady County Community College.
- Embry-Riddler Aeronautical University (Prescott, Arizona.)
- Embry-Riddler Aeronautical University (Daytona Beach.)
- Sacramento City College.
According to KKTV, by having the E-CTI program at AIMS, students can bypass having to go to the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City once they pass AIMS’ program. This is not only convenient for students, but again shows how advanced AIMS’ Aviation Program has become.
I have a friend who is an Air Traffic Controller; he went to the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. He then went on to 2-3 years of facility training and “On-the-Job” training. He can tell you, without question, that it is a very tough job; but, he takes great pride in it. You have to commend those that make it through the training and become one of those in charge of so many people’s safety.
With the nation needing nearly 15,000 Air Traffic Controllers and only having about 9,000 as of 2026, having AIMS be a place to up those numbers is a win…