Patrick Mattson began his aviation career in 1969 as an Air Force air traffic controller during the Vietnam War. His academic degrees include a Bachelor of Science, Management; Master of Science, Administration; and Doctor of Education in Leadership—Higher Education. He holds FAA Ground Instructor and Control Tower Operator certificates. Additionally, he is a Certified Member (CM) of the American Association of Airport Executives and has completed the FAA ATC facility instructor training course.

In addition to writing Air Traffic Control Career Prep, he has conducted research on air traffic control training methods, authored and co-published several articles on ATC technology, and has co-written published papers about aviation industry-related gender and cultural issues pertinent to aviation undergraduate students. Dr. Mattson was certified 11 years as a radar approach-departure and VFR tower controller in a variety of complex USAF air traffic environments; he also worked two years as a contract training instructor at the FAA Minneapolis, MN ARTCC. Memberships include the American Association of Airport Executives, Air Traffic Control Association, Alpha Eta Rho International Aviation Fraternity (co-educational), American Association for Collegiate Independent Study, Association of Internet Researchers, National Academic Advising Association, and the University Aviation Association.

Recently retired after 20 years of teaching, he co-taught (in 1991) the first collegiate level History of Women in Aviation course. His academic career started in 1986 and he has developed and taught classes in several subject areas including air traffic control, aviation management, aviation careers, business management, marketing principles, airport management, airline management, aviation research issues, and air transportation.