Who knows what an Air Traffic Controller does? Raise your hands. What do you think of when someone talks about air traffic control. Well I'm gonna tell you a little of what I'm learning so I can do what those guys do. Within a 5 week period we learn the basics of air traffic controlling and then we get to apply our knowledge in the sims and the lab. (I'm sure everyone will be messing up quite a bit in the beginning.)
There are 5 "blocks" in the first basics class...the one I'm in now. Each block ends in a block test. So far we've taken 2 block tests. I think our 3rd on is at the end of this week. So far we've gone through regulations, the radar system, air traffic management and where they fit into the whole picture. We've gone over who does what in each facility; I've learned a bunch of acronyms or the FAA language. (The government sure does like to make up their own languages...NASA did it, and apparently FAA does it too.)
In This block we're learning about the differences in airspace classes, what the rules are for flying in each class, fundamentals of aerodynamics and wake turbulence and what causes it. Tomorrow we will continue our lesson on Basic Navigation. And when I say basic I mean basic. Who doesn't know what latitude and longitude lines are, where the equator is and what the Prime Meridian is? And really, how hard is it to calculate time, distance, and speed.
s = d/t
This lesson is definitely boring for me, but then again, I am a rocket scientist as they keep pointing out in class. Sometimes I feel like I have to live up to being a rocket scientist even though I know as much about being a pilot as I do about bungee jumping! I've liked learning all I have though and I'm sure I'll love it once we get into the actual flight control part of the job.
The good thing about this job is there is ALOT to expand upon. Three facilities to train in (if I choose to do so); Tower, TRACON, and the En-Route Centers, at least 4 positions in each facility (some have more than 4), Traffic Management (again if I choose to go that path). And of course each time I move to a higher rated facility (airport/area that increases in the amount of traffic per year) my pay increases. Anyway, until tomorrow, or the next time I decide to post. *smile*.
To find out more about ATC click on the title of this post.
2 comments:
Wow! I'm so glad there are super smart people like you who love to learn and do this stuff! I'd be so lost! Just not my forte! Sounds like really interesting stuff though! It sounds like you are doing awesome there! Good for you! You hubby is still alive. I saw him at church on Sunday....he misses you terribly! (isn't that awesome)!?
Long time no see! Congrats... I knew you were going to end up with aeronautics somehow, but had no idea you were interested in ATC. If you have a chance, I'd definitely recommend getting a few hours in the air; I think it'd be helpful to see the system through the eyes of a pilot, just as I found it helpful to spend some time in the tower when I was learning to fly.
Yes, your pay goes up as you move from small to large traffic airports and to the TRACON, but so does the stress!
I really miss flying. Sadly, most of my disposable income left me when I bought the house eight years ago. Then I had a child, and that took care of the rest of it. Someday! ...and who knows. Maybe I'll hear your voice as I dial 121.3 reporting my position inbound on the ILS!
Hope all is well...
Dan
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