These questions are addressed to those who have been to Air Traffic Control School.

1) What are some things we (potential CCT's) can do do better prepare ourselves
for the academic requirements of ATC school?

Are there particular areas of study should we focus on - math, physics, engineering?

I would appreciate it if someone could get back to me on this.

- Variable -

You will not be studying any math, physics or engineering at ATC school. ATC is a new language, with the stress of crashing planes into each other. Go there with an open mind and prepped to spend hours hitting the books. Spend a lot of time with your teammates quizzing each other and going over scenarios you'll be presented with. ATC school itself is tough (academically), plus you'll be required to keep up with PT (CCT wise).

are there any good books out that can give an overview of ATC? i dont want to learn the whole system, thats what the school is for...im talking about describing basics of it, just to let me know a bit of what to expect?

cpaquette,
On the start page of this site (specialtactics.com) scroll down and there is a list of books. One of them is:
ATC Handbook (7th Edition)
Great start for CCT! Learn the fundementals of ATC and get a head start on ATC school!!

I'm not in ATC or CCT, but judging by the description that TE gave with this book I'd say it's probably a good start.

PRC117F,

With all due respect, what do you mean when you say that ATC school is academically tough?

As far as the math, physics, and engineering is concerned, are you telling me that at ATC school we will NOT be using math formulas and principles to solve existing and potential problems that may be related to flight control?

I appreciate the response.

-Variable-

You will NOT (to my 18 years ATC/CCT experience) be using any calculations to solve any supposed, proposed, or imagined flight control problems. That is NOT your job. That is the responsibility of pilots. Your job/task as a ATC is really quite simple: Keep Planes Separated.

Yes, I meant what I wrote: ATC school is tough academically. Have you ever learned a new language? Imagine learning Russian or Japanese, a daunting task, wouldn't you say? You will be learning a new language called Aviation. Words like: Minimum separation, three in the green, downwind, base, final, full-route clearance, 7110, etc. Words that are unique to ATC and the flying community.

Can you imagine this scene: You are controlling 14 planes in the local pattern, and one advises that he is an emergency. He tells you that he's got 16 souls on board, 14K JP-4 and smoke and fumes in the cockpit. Do you have time to pull out your handy Texas Instruments calculator and use the latest trig formulas to figure out the parabola of the final arc this aircraft will fly in order to make the approach end the runway on a 2.5 degree glide slope angle? I DON'T THINK SO.

Hope this gives you some insight. For more background on ATC surf the web and lokk in your local library for basic ATC books. Good luck and hope to see you in the pipeline!

PRC117F,

First, let me say that I meant no disrespect by asking my questions. The way you responded to my inquiries make me want to believe that you were upset at the way I asked them...

Second, I appreciate the clarification about ATC school. I just wanted to be certain about what to expect and not to expect...

Three, since you asked, yes, I do speak two other languages outside of English... Russian and Korean. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

You can bet that your A$$ that you will see me in Combat Control. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Thanks,

-Variable-

Variable,

Look at your own response. PRC said you would not use math, etc then you question his answer. You will need a good imagination and the ability to think logically for ATC. You have to keep a 3D picture of all the aircraft, call sign, altitude, heading, intentions in your airspace. Oh yeah I forgot, sometimes you have to do this without seeing the aircraft and you have to make decisions and respond immediately not think about the problem. You will use some math for explosives calculations, airdrop release points but this is no big deal. The ability to look at a situation and determine a viable solution is more important than determining the "perfect" solution.

IMHO

Some things you could do to improve your odds at ATC School:

1. Attend the private pilot ground course; it&#8217;s the least expensive part of learning to fly.

2. Make friends with a private pilot to get VFR flight time. Help him with cleaning and maintaining his aircraft and always pay for as much of the fuel bill as you can afford. While in flight, pay attention to air traffic procedures in the control zone. Always wear a headset and if you don't understand what was said between the controller and pilot, ask the pilot when he isn't too busy. The ability to hear and understand what&#8217;s said over a radio is important. Learn to read a FLIP.

3. Learn to say the alphabet phonetically.

4. Learn to recognize all of the U.S. military aircraft, learn their designations and characteristics.

Best of luck.

Has anyone tried the microsoft ATC simulater program that is available for most computers and if so how realistic is it?

Does it have the tower, ground, arrival, departure, rapcon , et?
any info would be appreciated....
PD
OUT

Damn you guys. Don't worry so much. Just pay attention in class, do your reading, quiz and cram with your mates and you will be fine. ATC is not a smoke school. book work, studying, and hte simulator, that is it. For ATC school at least. There is CCT Trainee stuff to be done also.
OK, bear in mind I went thru Keesler back in 1993, so I imagine that things have changed. I just want to stress that you may be over prepping yourslves for this.
Good luck either way.
BG

I agree with matrix, of course knowledge is POWER, but if you are focused on your goal, you will SUCCEED!!!! I am not saying not prepare, but a person who knows what he wants, will get it!

-2 cents

Flame,

I'm making at a decision that will affect my life for the next several years... Of course I'm going to ask very specific questions about what my career choice involves... To include ATC school...

You all have been helpful with information. Thank You.

-Variable-

You could order the ATC book on the main page, and gain some insight into the whole ATC thing...thus being better prepared...just a thought...

ATC Basics

TE,

Your insulting my intelligence... About the book, it hasn't arrived yet!

-Variable-

Well since you started...it shouldn't be "your" which indicates a possessive...it should be "You're" which is a contraction indicating "you are"...didn't mean to insult you, just trying to help...

Some other pet peeves:

Can not (wrong) as as apposed to cannot (correct)...
There (as in over there), their (possessive as in "their ball"), and they're (contraction as in "they are")...
To, two, and too (as in go to the game, two balls, and he went too (also))...

Just FYI to all...

TE,

I'm afraid your right! A gross spelling error on my part, but the concept remains the same. Thanks for the correction. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

-Variable-

Damn! did it again...

-Variable-

Maybe some of you don't know this, but our good book, the 7110.65, is available online for free!!

This FAA publication is basically the bible for ATC. Procedures, rules, correct phraseology, etc.

http://www.faa.gov/atpubs/ATC/

Also, as for Air Force ATC procedures that go along with the 7110.65 there is AFI 13-203

http://afpubs.hq.af.mil/search.asp?keyword=13-203&Go.x=16&Go.y=5

Have fun,

PY

I love it ! Useful advice about special tactics and English class all in one. Guys, save TE the headache of having to mention things like grammar and spelling. I'm sure there are better things he could be doing with his time.