Day 6 of ITR

At 0700 today when we got to class, Dave took us straight downstairs to look at the ACD pilot lab. He just wanted to show us what the computers were like in there, since we'll have to act as pilots for each other when we run a few brief scenarios this week. He just explained how the keys on the keyboard worked for making aircraft change altitude, speed, and ident. Then we headed back upstairs where we ran the same FDIO exercise that we ran last Friday (to make sure that we didn't forget anything).

We covered a section on data blocks next which explained the differences between full, partial, and limited data blocks. There was a short e-learning module that involved us clicking and dragging data blocks into the category that they fell into (full, partial, or limited). It also involved clicking on various data blocks before they moved off of our scope and then answering questions about the information contained within each one.

Dave reviewed for our Block 1 and Block 2 combined test just before we had to take it. The questions were taken from the end of lesson tests that are at the end of each section in our manual. The test was only about 45 questions long. The review covered the same questions that were on the actual test, so it was a piece of cake.

We took lunch a little earlier than usual today (we usually have lunch around 1045), so that we could make it back in time to get into the RTF labs while the RTF students took their lunch break. It was optional to try out the RTF labs today, but of course everyone showed up. There are only six positions in each lab, so six people went in an ACD lab and the remaining four (myself included) went in a STARS lab. There are subtle differences between the scopes in each lab, and Dave said that once we start RTF the instructor will try to place us in the lab that has the scopes similar to what our facility has. We spent about an hour just getting used to the keyboard. Dave showed us how to set up our scopes, and we took a little bit of time messing around with the options to find what we liked best. Then we ran a short exercise similar to the one we did on Day 3. Dave would read off an aircraft ID, type, type of approach, and destination, and we had to enter each one into the computer. For example, you might get this type of call (granted, this is an abbreviated call that Dave gave for practice purposes): "Academy Approach, Skyhawk 345MV requesting flight following to Academy Airport." And you'd have to enter this into the computer: N345MV (space) (VFR key) (space) C172 (space) (delta symbol)AAC

After we were done in the labs we had to get back to the lecturing. We had a lecture on a long section about approach plates and IFR charts. This explained all the parts that make up various charts, and it wasn't nearly exciting as being in the labs (obviously). We finished with about an hour left in the day, and the instructors didn't want to start a new section that we wouldn't be able to finish today, so we ran another exercise like before on the computers in the classroom. Dave pulled up the STARS simulator and we entered in aircraft again based on his radio calls. Here's what the screen looks like in the classroom (this is what the scope looks like for the most part in any of the labs, this one is just on the computer):

We had a few spare minutes at the end of this exercise, so Dave pulled up a short powerpoint on optical illusions and sensory reception. It was basically just looking at pictures and thinking you see one thing, but there's something else in that picture too. I'm sure you've all seen optical illusions like that before. It was meant to demonstrate how difficult it can be to look at the big picture of all of your traffic on the scope, because if you're focusing on one aircraft, your peripheral vision isn't so good and you basically have to constantly scan the entire scope to make sure everything is going alright.

On a side note, I joined the academy gym today. It's located in the basement of the registry building. It's a decent gym, with racquetball courts, a lot of weight machines, free weights, treadmills, stationary bikes, and a jogging track that loops around the entire gym. It cost me $50 for the four weeks that I have left here at the academy.

It was also surprisingly warm today. The temperature got up to about 76 degrees and it felt nice out, but of course, this is Oklahoma so it doesn't last long. Tomorrow it's supposed to be in the low 40's with chances of snow.