In this episode, I talk about some of the things that have happened to me in my now 12 years of working in an air traffic control tower. I talk about some of the lighthearted moments and some of the not so lighthearted moments in my career. In the middle, I talk about a free guide we are giving away. It's titled, "Top 10 Tips to Succeed at the FAA Air Traffic Control Academy." We think it will be helpful for all of you who are at the Academy now or are planning on going to the Academy in the near future. You can get the free guide at sidebysideatc.com/success . Thank you for listening to our podcast. Have a great day!

In this episode, I tell some of the "Tall Tales" I have from my time as an instructor at the Academy.

Some of the stories are of victories, and some of defeats. Hopefully, you can get something useful from each story.

The main reason for my telling these stories is to let you know that others have gone through this journey you are on before you. They have had highs and they have had lows, but they have always come out the other side. Your journey will not end at the academy.

I hope that you all like the stories. I hope you laugh, and maybe cry as well( I know that I do telling them).

Thank you for listening. Please leave a comment, or, if you prefer, you can email me at tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com .

On this episode, I talk about what it is like to work at an enroute center. I discuss what a normal day is like, what the traffic is like. I talk about what kinds of sectors I worked in my specialty.

I describe the different positions there are at a center. What they do and how they are staffed.

I talk about breaks. How often you get them and how long they may last. I also talk about some of the things you can do around the center on your breaks.

I talk about weather, the impact it can have, and how that impact is different from the impact it has at an airport.

From there, I go into what my time was like at ZFW, FT Worth Center. I talk about the impact my trainers had on me; even if I didn't enjoy being a trainee.

I spend a little time on how I DID enjoy being a trainer and helping new controllers learn the ropes.

That is what led me into offering an online coaching program for academy students. I briefly touch on it today and ask for your input about what you might like to see in that type of program.

I want to thank you all for listening and supporting these podcasts.

If you have a comment or question, please let me know and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

My email is: tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com .

Thank you again!

In this episode, we’ll dive into the unique experience of working in an air traffic control tower. We’ll explore daily responsibilities, challenges, and the excitement that comes with the job, drawing on my 30 years of experience and insights from former colleagues.

Segment 1: The Basics of Tower Operations

• Overview of the air traffic control tower's role in aviation.
  • Importance of tower controllers in ensuring safe aircraft operations.
• Explanation of the different positions in a tower:
  • Clearance Delivery
  • Ground Control
  • Local Control
  • Radar

Segment 2: Daily Life as a Tower Controller

• Walkthrough of a typical shift.
  • Pre-shift preparations (briefings, weather checks).
  • The flow of traffic during peak hours vs. quiet times.
• Interaction with pilots and other personnel.
• Real-time decision-making and problem-solving.

Segment 3: Challenges of Tower Work

• High-stress environment: Managing multiple aircraft and communication.
• Dealing with weather-related challenges (storms, wind).
• Handling emergencies
• The importance of teamwork and communication among controllers.

Segment 4: The Rewards of the Job

• The thrill of the job: excitement of coordinating takeoffs and landings.
• Sense of accomplishment from ensuring safety and efficiency.
• Long-term relationships with colleagues and pilots.

Segment 5: Insights from Former Tower Controllers

• Story that highlights a unique lesson learned in the tower.

Conclusion

• Recap of key points discussed.
• Invitation for listeners to share their questions or stories related to air traffic control.

Thank you so much for listening. Leave a question or a comment at:

tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com .

If you like the music, you can find more at:

Gregorianrock.com .

Segment 1: Understanding the Academy Structure and Expectations

• Overview of the FAA Academy:
  • The curriculum, phases, and training environment.
  • Types of evaluations (academic tests, simulations, etc.).
• What the Academy expects from students:
  • The importance of discipline, focus, and quick learning.
  • Key areas of study: airspace structure, aircraft performance, communication protocols, and decision-making.
• Why proper preparation matters:
  • Understanding the high attrition rates.
  • The difference between students who arrive prepared and those who don’t.

Segment 2: Academic Preparation

• Familiarizing yourself with key subjects:
  • Basic air traffic control concepts (airspace, flight paths, aircraft separation).
  • Terminology and phraseology used in ATC.
• Resources for learning before the Academy:
  • Suggested reading materials (LOA’s, SOP).
  • Joining ATC communities or forums for additional guidance. Discord
• Building study habits:
  • How to develop a study routine that mimics the intensity of the Academy.
  • Recommended tools (flashcards, apps) to reinforce learning.
  • Practice tests and quizzes to gauge progress.

Segment 3: Mental and Emotional Preparation

• The mental demands of air traffic control:
  • The need for quick decision-making and high levels of concentration.
  • Staying calm under pressure: why emotional stability is key.
• How to build mental resilience:
  • Techniques to improve focus and reaction time (meditation, mental exercises).
  • Simulating high-pressure environments to acclimate your mind.
  • Importance of self-awareness and stress management before arriving at the Academy.

Segment 4: Communication and Assertiveness Training

• Why communication is crucial for success:
  • Air traffic control revolves around clear, concise instructions and responses.
• Ways to improve your communication skills:
  • Understand proper ATC phraseology and practice saying it aloud.
  • Engage in role-playing exercises where you simulate ATC scenarios.
• Feedback loops:
  • Actively seek feedback on your communication style from peers, mentors or instructors.

Segment 5: Physical and Lifestyle Preparation

• Physical health’s impact on mental performance:
  • Importance of getting enough rest, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy diet.
• Daily habits that support success:
  • Time management tips for balancing study, practice, and personal life.
  • Establishing a routine that mirrors the rigorous schedule of the Academy.
  • Avoiding burnout by taking regular breaks and ensuring downtime for mental recovery.

Segment 6: Building a Support Network and Seeking Mentorship

• The value of a support system:
  • Surrounding yourself with people who understand the journey.
• Seeking mentorship from experienced ATCs:
  • Finding a mentor to provide guidance, advice, and motivation.
  • Joining groups or online communities where you can connect with others going through the process.

Conclusion & Key Takeaways

• Recap of the essential preparation strategies:
  • Understanding the Academy’s structure and expectations.
  • Strong academic and mental preparation.
  • Enhancing communication skills.
  • Taking care of physical health and establishing productive habits.
  • Seeking mentorship and building a support system.
• Final encouragement:
  • Reassure listeners that with the right preparation, they can confidently face the challenges of the Academy.
• Call to action:
  • Direct listeners to additional resources or offer a coaching program for personalized preparation strategies.

I hope you enjoy this episode. If you did, please hit Follow, Like and leave me a rating.

Please leave me an email at: tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com if you have a question or comment about any episode or if you have a question you want me to discuss on a future episode.

Thank you all so much! Can't wait for next time!

In this episode, I break down the most common reasons students struggle or fail at the FAA Academy. I highlight key challenges that students face and offer actionable advice to overcome them.

The podcast begins by addressing:

1) Unrealistic expectations, explaining how many students underestimate the mental and academic demands of the program.

2) Pressure of high-stakes decision-making, stressing how stress can impair judgment. How you can practice making decisions by just making them, and go on to the next decision.

3) Communication skills, which are essential in air traffic control. Many students struggle with clear, concise communication under pressure, I discuss how you have to actively listen in order to excel as a controller.

4) The inability to adapt to feedback, I talk about how you WILL get negative feedback during the Academy and how to turn those negatives around and use them to challenge yourself.

5) Mental endurance and resilience, explaining how fatigue and burnout affect students.

The episode concludes with words of encouragement, reminding listeners that, with preparation and the right mindset, these challenges can be overcome. Students have overcome them before, and YOU CAN TOO!

Thank you for listening. Please hit Follow or Like and leave me a review.

You can always email me at: tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com .

If you like the music, you can get more of it at: gregorianrock.com .

In this episode, I tackle a great question,

What qualities do I see in trainees that go on to have long and successful careers as air traffic controllers?

That is a deep question.

I talk about how the main thing to do is to show up every day. That's number 1! Next, is to show up prepared every day. Be ready to train. Know more than what they expect you to know. you have to know more than they know.

The last thing I talk about is that you have to be responsible for your training. whether you succeed or not is not dependent on your trainer or your instructor. It depends on YOU! You have to care about your success because your trainers and instructors won't care about it as much as you do.

I hope I have answered the question. If you still have questions about this subject, or any other ATC subject, let me know. You can email me at tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com and I will get back to you as quickly as I can.

Thank you all so much for listening!

In this episode, I talk about the ways you can become an air traffic controller.

I discuss:

• the FAA "Open bid"
• the FAA "Experience bid"
• CTI schools
• the military
• Advanced ATC school

With the FAA "Open bid" coming Oct. 11, this is a good time to think about the ways you can become a controller.

If you have any questions about any of the ways you can become a controller, or have a question about any other area of air traffic control, you can email me at tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com .

Thank you all for continuing to listen to these podcasts!!

If you like the music, you can always get more at gregorianrock.com .