The partial shutdown of the US govt has caused FAA to close its air traffic controller academy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma—delaying controller training during a staffing shortage. The shutdown that began Dec 22 has also suspended classroom and simulator training at ATC facilities, according to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. Suspending and possibly cancelling classes at the academy could lead to fewer new hires by FAA in the current fiscal year and exacerbate what the NATCA warns is a staffing crisis. The current number of most-experienced certified professional controllers—10,483—has declined more than 10% in the past 6 years, and nearly 1 in 5 CPCs (18%) are eligible to retire, the union said. <br/>