Re: ATC Acronyms/Definitions
Alrighty then, let's see how much I can remember... lol, probably not much. I may not get these 100% but I have no doubt I will be corrected.
PUBNAT#- Public National Announcement. The FAA has been posting openings for employment for the general public who are interested in becoming Air Traffic Controllers. The job title would indicate PUBNAT followed by a number. The PUBNATs started with 1 in 2008 and have continued approximately every month, currently at PUBNAT6 which opened in August.
OTS- Off The Street. An OTS applicant is one who generally has had no previous ATC experience or training. These applicants apply to PUBNAT job openings targeted to the general public.
FEBOTS- A term coined as a nickname to the original applicants to PUBNAT1, which opened in February 2008. FEB = February OTS = Off the Street.
TOL- Tentative Offer Letter. A TOL is received by applicants as a job offer which is tentative pending background investigations, medical evaluations and psychological review. The TOL typically includes your facility, Academy Pay (with locality), facility pay (with locality). The TOL also in a sense freezes your age as you must start your career as an ATC before you 31st birthday, by receivng a TOL before your 31st birthday you may actual begin Academy after your 31st birthday.
FOL- Firm Offer Letter. This is your final letter of job offer which typically includes your start date at Academy.
ARTCC- Air Route Traffic Control Center. Also called 'En Route' and 'Center'.
GEO PREFs- Geographical Preferences. Once an applicant qualifies after the AT SAT, they are sent an invite to submit their preferences of work type and state. Applicants are sent an email with a link to a website which they log into and select two states and whether they wish to work in En Route or Tower. If a large state is selected there is a box in which are able to type in specific counties you are willing to work. Typically applicants are given 4 weeks to complete their preferences.
AT SAT- Air Traffic Selection And Training. Once an applicants ASAP application meets the minimum standards set forth in the job announcement they are authorized to take the AT SAT which is an all day "test" of various ability, none of which are directly related nor require any previous experience in aviation or air traffic.
ASAP- Automated Staffing and Application Process. This is the system applicants use to submit applications for open announcements at the faa.gov job site.
MMPI- Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. One of the most frequently used personality tests in mental health. This test is used by trained professionals to assist in identifying personality structure and psychopathology. All applicants for Air Traffic Control are required to take this test of 372 questions and succesfully "pass" review of your results.
ATC- Air Traffic Control
