Another week flashes by. Seems my time at the Academy will be rather short lived as I'm so busy during the week and weekends that I lose almost all sense of the passage of time.
With three Block Exams this week we finished up the academic portion of tower cab training. This culminated in a Comprehensive Exam on Friday which I scored 95/100 on. During the week the instructors tried to get us into the tabletops in order to prepare us for the new challenge next week, tabletop scenarios and tower 3D.
I don't know if I've touched on what tabletops are before so I'll do so in detail now. Tabletops is an entire room dominated by two things, a "table" version of Academy Airport, and a fake tower cab elevated and overlooking the table. Around the table, instructors and students will move scale aircraft (like toys) around in the traffic pattern or taxiing on the airport proper. Everyone on the floor wears a headset and is plugged in to the proper "frequency", local or ground. Up in the tower cab, three students manage the local, ground, and clearance delivery/flight data positions. An instructor is plugged in with each and teaching them or just watching, depending on how well the student is doing. The entire process is dictated by scenarios that the people on the floor carry out. The scenario sheets give the aircraft, where they are, and when they're going to call in. A typical scenario lasts 45 minutes, and you'll move about 26 aircraft in that time.
When students aren't in the tabletops they're in the classroom running the Tower 3D simulator on the classroom computers. Two stations monitors are put together to create a four monitor spread that gives a wide angle view from the control tower. 3D planes are moved around by an instructor who plays the role of ghost pilot. At another computer station a student will operate the clearance delivery/flight data position. Once again, instructors are plugged in and watching the process, giving feedback as needed.
This will last for about a week, then we'll head into the expensive TSS or "Fishbowl" simulators. I'll give a rundown of those next week when I'm more experienced with their operation.
Weekend wise I've tried to just relax. Since I managed to get to the gym three days in a row on Wed, Thur, Fri, I decided to use Saturday as a rest day. Saturday night Kim and John invited the residents to come out to Club Rodeo, so I drove up there with a bunch of the new guys that have moved in since I came here. Club Rodeo is probably the best club I've ever been to. The atmosphere was a lot more relaxed then what I've usually seen. The place was also packed with "cowgirls". They definitely raise them right down here, that's for sure. The main attraction and Club Rodeo though is the two rounds of live bull riding. That's right, bull riding, real bulls. We had front row seats and it was worth it. Nothing to help you relax like watching some cowboy get pummeled by a bull.
The rest of the weekend should be the usual, hit the gym, relax at the pool, get ready to go back on nights. Next week should be interesting, the beginning of what I consider to be the real training, and the real reason I'm here.
Weekend Relaxation
Bloody hell. Weeks that are too long, weekends that are too damn short.
I don't remember what I talked about in my last post so I may repeat myself here.
Scored perfect on Monday's Block I test. Tuesday I passed the National Weather Service's Tower Visibility Exam. That little number earned me a certification as a weather observer. At some point in the week, I believe it was Wednesday, we got into the tabletops and ran a scenario several times. It wasn't a very serious exercise, mostly just an attempt to get us familiar with the tabletop environment, and probably get some OTS kids used to talking to planes, but the class took it serious enough and it went pretty well. I worked the ground position on one run. It felt outstanding to be up there in the cab talking to planes, I haven't had this feeling since I was in the sims back at ERAU. At some point there was a Block II test, I got a 97% on that one.
Friday finally came and we finished up our long week of nights and headed into a rather short weekend. Saturday a large bunch of us headed down to the Wichita Mountains to a place called Meer's. Supposedly they have world famous Longhorn beef burgers. The wait was pretty long and the burgers were good but not the bestest thing ever. Not really worth repeat trips. I may head back down there again to go to the wildlife refuge though. Apparently it has Bison and you can drive up to the top of Mount Scott.
Sunday I got up and studied in the morning and then headed over to the gym after lunch. Aside from my usual run I tried using some of the weight machines but its all greek to me. After the gym I went to Kim's and relaxed in the pool. A bunch of the guys ended up coming over and we all ended up just relaxing and bullshitting. Headed home, ate dinner, watched the second Pirates of the Caribbean movie on TV and now I'm getting ready to study for my Block III test before I hit the sack for a very early bed time as we go into days tomorrow. This next week should be our last week of classes before we head into the tabletops and 3D. Five weeks left.
I don't remember what I talked about in my last post so I may repeat myself here.
Scored perfect on Monday's Block I test. Tuesday I passed the National Weather Service's Tower Visibility Exam. That little number earned me a certification as a weather observer. At some point in the week, I believe it was Wednesday, we got into the tabletops and ran a scenario several times. It wasn't a very serious exercise, mostly just an attempt to get us familiar with the tabletop environment, and probably get some OTS kids used to talking to planes, but the class took it serious enough and it went pretty well. I worked the ground position on one run. It felt outstanding to be up there in the cab talking to planes, I haven't had this feeling since I was in the sims back at ERAU. At some point there was a Block II test, I got a 97% on that one.
Friday finally came and we finished up our long week of nights and headed into a rather short weekend. Saturday a large bunch of us headed down to the Wichita Mountains to a place called Meer's. Supposedly they have world famous Longhorn beef burgers. The wait was pretty long and the burgers were good but not the bestest thing ever. Not really worth repeat trips. I may head back down there again to go to the wildlife refuge though. Apparently it has Bison and you can drive up to the top of Mount Scott.
Sunday I got up and studied in the morning and then headed over to the gym after lunch. Aside from my usual run I tried using some of the weight machines but its all greek to me. After the gym I went to Kim's and relaxed in the pool. A bunch of the guys ended up coming over and we all ended up just relaxing and bullshitting. Headed home, ate dinner, watched the second Pirates of the Caribbean movie on TV and now I'm getting ready to study for my Block III test before I hit the sack for a very early bed time as we go into days tomorrow. This next week should be our last week of classes before we head into the tabletops and 3D. Five weeks left.
Back to School
After a mere two days of class I'm already studying feverishly. Monday morning first thing we have the Block I test which is a check on what we've covered so far. A score of 80% or more is required on all block tests. I also have to memorize the airfield layout and airspace we'll be working, practice my phraseology, and study for my CTO (Control Tower Operator) exam. Its really a lot. Working nights doesn't help much either.
Saturday I studied in the morning, and then after lunch went to the gym and then over to Kim's. I didn't have a pair of swim trunks that fit so I just hung out. Kim took a whole group of us out to eat later. We went back home and I studied some more till we had a bunch of students come over to watch the UFC fight. After that was over and everyone headed home I studied some more and hit the sack.
Sunday I slept in quite a bit before going to the gym again. Since it was closed until 1300 I used the time to go to Kohls and buy a new pair of swim trunks. After working out we went over to Kim's again and this time I got to get in the pool. After a while I got back out and studied a bit there, then came home and continued studying. Lots of studying, and I'll do more tonight before bed and tomorrow before work.
After the block test Monday we'll be getting the Tower Visibility briefing from the National Weather Service. Tuesday morning we'll start with the Tower Visibility Exam, which should properly certify us as weather observors.
Morale among AT Students is very low. While I think the prevailing weather (over 100 every day) has a lot to do with it, I think the majority of the blame rests in the beauracracy of the academy and our proximity to the "higher ups". The very demanding class work lends quite a bit as well and many students who have been here for basics have stays of up to and over 3 months. While for a single young person like me coming from unemployement this isn't a big deal, I'm in the vast minority out here. Most people I've met are either married or in some sort of relationship, and some of kids. Many have left decent paying jobs and are stuck out here on 20k a year for 3 months, with the contant chance of losing even that little income due to bad test scores or any other number of reasons they have for canning us. I think the stress level out here exceeds what's actually out in the field. I don't know if there is an easy solution for it, but I'm glad there's people out there like Kim who understands what kind of pressure the students are under and tries to compensate for it with activities like golfing and gym memberships.
I for one am very thankful for the gym membership. Just my first week on the job left my desperatly wanting to get out and run to relieve the tension. I'll be going regularly any week I'm on days. For know I'll just survive till the weekend.
That's all for now, maybe pictures next time.
Saturday I studied in the morning, and then after lunch went to the gym and then over to Kim's. I didn't have a pair of swim trunks that fit so I just hung out. Kim took a whole group of us out to eat later. We went back home and I studied some more till we had a bunch of students come over to watch the UFC fight. After that was over and everyone headed home I studied some more and hit the sack.
Sunday I slept in quite a bit before going to the gym again. Since it was closed until 1300 I used the time to go to Kohls and buy a new pair of swim trunks. After working out we went over to Kim's again and this time I got to get in the pool. After a while I got back out and studied a bit there, then came home and continued studying. Lots of studying, and I'll do more tonight before bed and tomorrow before work.
After the block test Monday we'll be getting the Tower Visibility briefing from the National Weather Service. Tuesday morning we'll start with the Tower Visibility Exam, which should properly certify us as weather observors.
Morale among AT Students is very low. While I think the prevailing weather (over 100 every day) has a lot to do with it, I think the majority of the blame rests in the beauracracy of the academy and our proximity to the "higher ups". The very demanding class work lends quite a bit as well and many students who have been here for basics have stays of up to and over 3 months. While for a single young person like me coming from unemployement this isn't a big deal, I'm in the vast minority out here. Most people I've met are either married or in some sort of relationship, and some of kids. Many have left decent paying jobs and are stuck out here on 20k a year for 3 months, with the contant chance of losing even that little income due to bad test scores or any other number of reasons they have for canning us. I think the stress level out here exceeds what's actually out in the field. I don't know if there is an easy solution for it, but I'm glad there's people out there like Kim who understands what kind of pressure the students are under and tries to compensate for it with activities like golfing and gym memberships.
I for one am very thankful for the gym membership. Just my first week on the job left my desperatly wanting to get out and run to relieve the tension. I'll be going regularly any week I'm on days. For know I'll just survive till the weekend.
That's all for now, maybe pictures next time.
Welcome to the FAA
Yesterday I managed to complete my first day with the FAA. I can't really say much about it since it was a day full of sitting around listening to people talk about rules and benefits and such. Basically the entire day was spent in indoctrination. There with me were 2 more CTI students, one from ERAU although I don't recognize him, 2 VRA's from the Navy, and one girl who's here for retraining. The highlight of the day, although it wasn't nearly as dramatic as it sounds was the taking the oath of office and swearing in for government service. For the rest of this week and next week we're on night shift so the work schedule is 1530 - 2400.
After work went to the landlord's place, Kim's, for dinner. Met some more students, one of whom is in the class that's my class's opposite. He warned me of the OTS kids we'll be meeting up with today. Talked with Kim and her family for a bit before driving home. I spent the rest of the night trying to stay awake so I could readjust to the night schedule. Its like going right back to the sleeping schedule I was on when I was unemployed, although now I don't get to run at 1700.
That's all for now. Today and for the next couple weeks will be the ever exciting class work I've heard so much about. Can't wait...
After work went to the landlord's place, Kim's, for dinner. Met some more students, one of whom is in the class that's my class's opposite. He warned me of the OTS kids we'll be meeting up with today. Talked with Kim and her family for a bit before driving home. I spent the rest of the night trying to stay awake so I could readjust to the night schedule. Its like going right back to the sleeping schedule I was on when I was unemployed, although now I don't get to run at 1700.
That's all for now. Today and for the next couple weeks will be the ever exciting class work I've heard so much about. Can't wait...
Will Rogers
I learned three important things today while traveling through Oklahoma.
In closing, the only photo I took on my road trip. I'll have you know this was quite the perilous photo to take...
- According to Oklahomans, Will Rogers is the second coming of Jesus
- Despite the fact that the surrounding states are a comfortable 75 degrees, Oklahoma is not. In fact Oklahoma is 92 degrees, and today is a cold day.
- Although Oklahoma has more toll roads then any other state in the union, none of the proceeds are actually spent on fixing what is left of their roads. My educated guess would be that a majority of the toll proceeds are spent on bronze Will Rogers statues.
In closing, the only photo I took on my road trip. I'll have you know this was quite the perilous photo to take...
Opening Moves
A new life necessitates a new blog. The black and red of the previous roost proved a bit...juvenile for my tastes.
In about 10 hours I'll be westward bound. I'll be the guest of the government in Oklahoma City for an exciting 6 weeks of Air Traffic Control Training at the FAA Academy. Specifically Tower Cab Training for my eventual position at Spokane International Air Traffic Control Tower. Not entirely positive what is going on with my housing at this point. I know I have a booking, I'm fairly certain the government is footing the bill, but I'm not 100% on where exactly I'm going once I get in town. I'm going with the address listed on the invoice.
Moving is never a fun ordeal. 4 1/2 years of college made me used to moving "easy-mode". Packing your entire life up and moving it across the entire country is a bit more work. However, difficult as it may be, my entire life is now boxed and bagged away. Hopefully I haven't forgotten much, but there's always something.
Yesterday we had a sort of family get together/cookout/celebration that Matt is finally leaving. Was interesting I suppose, a good way to leave on a pretty positive note with everyone. Kind of tired of everyone telling me to drive safe, as I'm the safest driver in the family. I'm more concerned with my navigational abilities, I always manage to miss my turn or exit. Lets hope the combination of a new Rand McNally road atlas and the Google Maps printout will keep me on course.
Opinions welcome on the new look of the blog and the title. I'm not 100% set on anything. I'm using a heavily modified 3rd party template, CSS code is such a pain but its worth it for the customization.
That's all for tonight. I'll try to write regularly while at the academy and settling into Spokane. On a side note for anyone who doesn't know me that well reading this, I've never been out west really, and now I'm driving across it and moving out there so it's going to be a bit of a journey...
Night.
In about 10 hours I'll be westward bound. I'll be the guest of the government in Oklahoma City for an exciting 6 weeks of Air Traffic Control Training at the FAA Academy. Specifically Tower Cab Training for my eventual position at Spokane International Air Traffic Control Tower. Not entirely positive what is going on with my housing at this point. I know I have a booking, I'm fairly certain the government is footing the bill, but I'm not 100% on where exactly I'm going once I get in town. I'm going with the address listed on the invoice.
Moving is never a fun ordeal. 4 1/2 years of college made me used to moving "easy-mode". Packing your entire life up and moving it across the entire country is a bit more work. However, difficult as it may be, my entire life is now boxed and bagged away. Hopefully I haven't forgotten much, but there's always something.
Yesterday we had a sort of family get together/cookout/celebration that Matt is finally leaving. Was interesting I suppose, a good way to leave on a pretty positive note with everyone. Kind of tired of everyone telling me to drive safe, as I'm the safest driver in the family. I'm more concerned with my navigational abilities, I always manage to miss my turn or exit. Lets hope the combination of a new Rand McNally road atlas and the Google Maps printout will keep me on course.
Opinions welcome on the new look of the blog and the title. I'm not 100% set on anything. I'm using a heavily modified 3rd party template, CSS code is such a pain but its worth it for the customization.
That's all for tonight. I'll try to write regularly while at the academy and settling into Spokane. On a side note for anyone who doesn't know me that well reading this, I've never been out west really, and now I'm driving across it and moving out there so it's going to be a bit of a journey...
Night.