Day 4 of ITR

We finally made it over halfway through our manual. I can't wait to be done with this stuff. We started off the morning with a section on FAA Publications. Now that right there is really a way to be sure that even if we thought we were somewhat awake at 0700 and ready for a lecture, we were wrong. That section covered the 7110.65 (obviously), among other orders and LOAs and SOPs. We also had to fill out a crossword on FAA contractions. After that we moved onto aircraft recognition. Almost the entire lesson was done through an e-learning module on our computers. The program went over the differences between small, large, and heavy aircraft, and then showed a brief list with pictures that consisted of a few planes that fell into each category. There was then a short exercise that showed abbreviated aircraft types and we had to select the full name that matched up to that type (and the other way around). I felt that this section wasn't as extensive as it should have been, as it moved pretty quickly, and I still don't feel like I would remember the abbreviated type to write up on a strip if, for example, a Beechcraft Baron called up and I needed to do so. I guess that's just something I'll have to review on my own time.

A pretty long section that we covered was stripmarking. We reviewed the different blocks that make up a strip, and the proper ways to mark arrival, departure, and overflight strips. There was an extensive e-learning module that involved us clicking and dragging the data from each block on a strip into the correct box that described what it was. Our final section to cover for the day was FDIO (Flight Data Input/Output). This one was long too. It covered the different components of the FDIO system, and how to use the keyboard. We reviewed how to enter a new flight plan, as well as how to amend one and do other things with one. I liked the e-learning module for this one, just because there was a lot more to do with it. For each action that we learned how to do with a flight plan, we had to enter that specific action into a simulated FDIO screen a few times for different aircraft. We're slowly starting to do more on the computer, which makes the lectures more interesting, and slowly starting to work toward getting in that radar room. Supposedly we'll be able to try a few things out in there before we even start RTF, so that should be fun.

It snowed today. The weather here is so random. One day it's in the 60's, the next it drops to the 30's and it snows. The one thing that doesn't seem to change is the wind though. I can't stand it. They've been gusting pretty strong. I hope it warms up next week.

Day 3 of ITR

Well today reminded me of being back in an intro to ATC course much like I had freshman year of college. We knocked out three more sections in our manual, but we're still not even halfway through it. First we covered keyboarding. I figured it might be a little more interesting to listen to the lecture since our instructor told us that we'd actually be able to use the computers to complete an exercise, but I was wrong. He lectured us on the ARTS keyboard and the slew ball device and then brought up radar scopes on our computers. Next to each monitor we have a small touch screen that simulates an ARTS keyboard, and we used that for the exercise. All we did though was enter in call signs that he read aloud. Exciting stuff, let me tell you. Because entering "N428CD" and pressing "Enter" is really something that I couldn't figure out on my own (sense the sarcasm here). Here's a picture I took of the touch screen ARTS keyboard:



Next we covered airspace basics. We used an e-learning module to listen to the main part of the lesson, and it just explained the different classifications of airspace. Nothing that we hadn't seen before. I'm sure even the guys who took the AT Basics course are getting bored with this stuff. Our final lecture of the day was on general control. It was a pretty long section, and still just as boring. It covered transfer of communications, equipment malfunctions, special use airspace, and a few other similar things. We also had a point where we were grouped into two teams and had to complete a word search while following various changing instructions on the overhead. While it was a nice change from the lecture, it felt too much like I was back in a middle school class or something.

Day 2 of ITR

Today was a little more interesting than yesterday, if only because we were actually "learning" things. It was more of a boring review than anything else. We started our way through the course manual and went over the basics of what ATC is (what towers, centers, and tracons are responsible for), positions within the facility, the different traits we need as controllers, and human factors in ATC. Throughout the day we had various other instructors sit in on lectures, as well as a few teach one or two, because they were in the process of getting certified to teach the ITR course and it was a requirement to do so. We ran lectures in 50 minute increments and then had 10-20 minute breaks every hour or so. We finished up a little early, so Dave just told us some stories about being a controller (since they're not allowed to let us leave early).

On a side note, Dave mentioned that the FAA is planning to get all of its 2008 hiring done by March. So if you're in the process right now or have an interview soon, things should move along pretty quickly for you. And if you don't hear anything tentatively by March, you're most likely going to have to wait until October (the start of the new fiscal year) to hear anything more.

DAB to DEN to OKC for ITR and RTF :)

Just a short background here... I'm a CTI graduate from Embry-Riddle in DAB. I graduated in May of 2007 and I couldn't wait to hear from the FAA. I chose PA, MD, and CO for my geographic preferences, and CO was my first choice (if only because I wanted a change of scenery and the ability to go skiing on the weekends). I took the AT-SAT about two weeks after graduating. I found out that I was referred to CO about two weeks after graduating as well, so I was pretty ecstatic. In August I found out that I had been selected for ZDV, and I was glad that I got picked up so quickly. I went to my interview at ZJX and also took my 16PF. However, after giving things a little more thought, I realized that I really didn't want to work enroute, so I turned down ZDV after much debate. I had talked to the people out at OKC and they informed me that there would be a hiring panel meeting for CO again in a few weeks. I called up the manager at D01 (Denver Tracon) and he agreed to request me. I felt confident that things would work out, so I had to decline ZDV quickly to make the next hiring panel. I was referred out to CO again around the end of September, and heard that I'd been selected for D01 in the middle of October. All of my paperwork was submitted on October 31st, and it only took two weeks for me to get offered an OKC class date. They told me that I had to wait for a Tracon only class (which they had only just started offering), so I was given a start date of January 28th.

So anyway, I'm finally in OKC. It's a relief to say the least, but now I can't wait to be done so that I can get started at my facility. I took a week last week to visit CO (drove 28 hours to get there from FL, ugh) to look for places to live and to go skiing. I visited the Tracon and it was pretty cool. They let me plug in and listen to someone work. I just got to OKC last night after driving down from CO. I'm staying in a house with a girl who had a room for rent who I found off of craigslist. I triple-checked with the FAA to find out if I'd still get per diem for it, and they assured me I would as long as I had a lease with specific information as well as receipts.

I'm in an ITR class for 9 classroom days, and then I go straight into RTF class for 18 classroom days. It's a new Tracon schedule that they're still trying to get certified, and I like it because I'm only in OKC for about 5 weeks. Plus, I don't have to go to my facility and then return to OKC for RTF later.

I started class today bright and early at 7am. We work a 0700-1530 shift each day with a half an hour for lunch. I got to MMAC around 0625 or so, which was a good idea for the first day. The line at the gate was a little long, and first I had to check in as a visitor. They didn't have a list on file for our specific class for some reason, so it took just a few extra minutes for them to get the go-ahead to give us our badges. After getting a temporary badge and a visitor's parking pass I had to find the RTF building. I ran into someone else going to D01 and we headed into class together. I think it was about quarter to seven when we got into our classroom. There are a total of 10 students in our class. Ed Hatherley is our course manager and Dave Simpson is our lead instructor. They're both awesome and anyone out there who gets either one is lucky. They're both very friendly and it seems like they're willing to help any one of us out with anything. I think we'll learn a lot from them. They also brought us all coffee, bottled water, donuts, candy, and snacks.

Of the ten of us, there are four OTS people who went through the AT Basics course just before this one (one of which went to part of the CTI program at CCBC), there is one person from Mt. SAC, two from UAA, one from UND, one from Vaughn, and myself from ERAU. We started off the day with introductions, and then had talks from the FAA Credit Union people and the travel office about our travel vouchers. Keep in mind that if you're coming out here for training, you have to wait at least 15 days before submitting your first travel voucher. You're also not likely to get paid until about 2-3 weeks after you start class, just because of the way the pay periods are laid out.

We had a long talk from HR about benefits and had to watch an even longer video. I'd suggest anyone coming to OKC soon go to this website to research your available health plans: http://www.opm.gov/insure/08/spmt/plansearch.aspx Enter in the zip code where you'll be working to see what will be available to you. Compare everything you can and choose the plan that works best for you. Don't forget about dental and vision coverage if you need it. It's not too expensive and it may be good for you to have. Once you get out here, you have 30-60 days to enroll in health plans (depending on which part of the plan, etc.), and it can be a little overwhelming if you haven't researched it ahead of time. Once you submit the paperwork, your health insurance goes into effect during the next pay period after you submit it. You may also want to look at http://tsp.gov/ You can elect to put a certain amount of money into a TSP and the government will match up to a certain amount. You really can't afford not to do it.

Anyway, we also got sworn in today and received our ID badges. Then we watched a long video on the EEOC and sexual harassment, as well as the No Fear Act. Boring stuff, but it had to be done. We had some extra time at the end of the day, so our instructors showed us the radar labs which was pretty cool. I can't wait to get started in there.

That's it for the first day. Hopefully tomorrow will be a little more interesting!