From the Radar Room to the Classroom: Carrie Merlin’s Journey from the FAA to Embry-Riddle

When Assistant Professor Carrie L. Merlin steps into the Air Traffic Management lab at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University, she brings with her nearly three decades of experience from one of the nation’s busiest and most complex control centers, Washington ARTCC. Her calm authority, honed through years of managing the safe flow of thousands of aircraft, now guides students learning to do the same through simulation and scenario-based instruction.

A Calling That Took Flight Early

Merlin’s path to air traffic control began long before she ever donned a headset. “My interest started in the tenth grade when a controller spoke at my high-school career day,” she recalled. “I was captivated by the precision, responsibility and calm confidence the job required.”

Her father, a Marine and an air traffic controller himself, never pushed her toward the field but encouraged her to pursue excellence and integrity in whatever she did. That encouragement would one day come full circle, as both father and daughter went on to serve as Air Traffic Manager at Washington ARTCC, three decades apart.

“Before I even joined the FAA, I worked at the credit union inside the ARTCC just to be near the environment,” she said. “From that moment, I knew this was the profession I wanted to dedicate my life to.”

From Managing the Skies to Mentoring Minds

After an impressive career overseeing airspace operations and safety at Washington ARTCC, Merlin expected her next chapter to involve consulting or contract work. But a required cooling-off period after leaving the FAA created space for reflection and led her to rediscover what had always inspired her most: developing people.

“I realized that my greatest satisfaction came from mentoring others, guiding new controllers, helping managers grow and leading teams through complex challenges,” she said. “Teaching at Embry‑Riddle lets me return to those roots and shape the next generation of aviation professionals.”

Now, as an Assistant Professor of Air Traffic Management, Merlin teaches Introduction to Air Traffic Management and assists with Advanced En Route Operations. Her courses emphasize both technical mastery and real-world decision-making. She recently introduced a foundational model launch of an interactive training prototype simulating the National Airspace System, complete with En Route, Approach, and Tower components designed to enhance applied learning.

“Students engage in a hands-on experience, moving aircraft through the air traffic environment, in the introductory phase of learning it helps to conceptualize the airspace system,” she explained. “They act as controllers, practice phraseology and analyze conflicts. It helps them think in three dimensions and develop the spatial awareness that they will begin to apply in the air traffic simulation labs next semester."

Leadership Grounded in Collaboration

Merlin’s leadership philosophy was shaped by decades of operational experience, from managing disruptions and route changes along the East Coast to navigating labor challenges and safety initiatives.

“Early on, I leaned toward a command-and-control style that’s common in high-pressure environments,” she reflected. “But over time, I learned that real leadership isn’t about control; it’s about empowerment.”

She emphasizes the same lesson to her students: teamwork is the backbone of aviation. “Controllers, pilots and operators will all work together for the next 30 years, just at opposite ends of the microphone,” she said. “Understanding each other’s environments is essential to collaboration and safety.”

That philosophy shows up in her classroom, where she frequently invites pilot-students to share their perspective on airport signage or runway operations. “Recognizing their expertise enriches everyone’s learning,” she added. “It also shows that leadership means knowing when to teach and when to learn.”

The Human Side of Air Traffic Control

For Merlin, what separates a good controller from a great one is more than technical proficiency. “A good controller applies procedures correctly,” she said. “A great controller understands why those procedures exist and adapts them thoughtfully to real-world situations.”

Great controllers, she believes, balance precision with empathy. “Every data block on a radar screen represents real people depending on your judgment,” she said. “That awareness, that humanity, is what defines this career.”

Looking Ahead: Technology as a Partner, Not a Replacement

As the aviation industry looks toward increasing automation and the integration of artificial intelligence, Merlin sees a future where technology supports, but never replaces, human expertise. “AI will help process information and predict conflicts, but human judgment will always be the defining factor,” she said. “Technology is an ally, not a substitute.”

A Legacy of Learning and Integrity

Merlin’s enthusiasm for her students is palpable. She describes them as “bright, dedicated and deeply motivated,” and credits her colleagues — Professors Stephen Bond, Stacy Eisen, Romulo Gallegos, Clyde Rinkinen, Mohamed Rostom and Dr. Michael McCormick — for fostering a program built on excellence and innovation.

“I love it here,” she said. “Embry‑Riddle is an environment built on collaboration and shared passion. Together, we’re preparing students to lead with skill, judgment and integrity."

And when those students step into the radar room for the first time, Merlin knows exactly what success will look like. “When my students eventually step into a radar room, my hope is that they not only become exceptional air traffic controllers but that they also find joy and purpose in the work,” Merlin said. “If they build meaningful careers and have the time of their lives doing it, then I’ll know I’ve done my job."

Merlin joins an accomplished team of Embry‑Riddle faculty who bring decades of real-world experience from the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Airspace System. The Air Traffic Management program, part of Embry‑Riddle’s FAA-approved Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI), is known for pairing rigorous academic instruction with hands-on learning that mirrors real operational environments. By integrating former FAA professionals into the classroom, the program ensures students gain not only technical expertise but also the judgment, composure and communication skills that define successful controllers.

“Hiring Carrie was an easy decision,” said Dr. Thomas Guinn, department chair of Applied Aviation Sciences. “Our priority is to bring in exceptional faculty with extensive operational backgrounds because that experience directly enhances student learning. When someone like Carrie joins the team, she doesn’t just teach the curriculum; she brings it to life. Her years of managing complex airspace operations help our students understand not only what to do, but why it matters.”