Almost afraid of this answer

titansox

titansox

Well-Known Member
A while back I asked you if I could become a pilot being dyslectic. You told me "You need to be able to read to study for the written (which is given on a computer) and to read weather briefings." Well my real intentions in life is to be an air traffic controller (although I am having a few second thoughts). Is there such a thing as a dyslexic Air Traffic Controller? I've read that you can't have a speech impediment but I don't know if dyslexia is considered a speech impediment.
 
I am only a pilot, but simply thinking about the implications of this. What if you have similar callsigns/flight #s on frequency, what if the briefing strips have airport codes that are similar or almost the same (think working clearance delivery), or even giving out squawk codes. I shudder to the think of the mistakes that could be made. Controllers without this impediment have to be careful enough, let alone with it. However I could be completely wrong, after all in the federal govt. there is a waiver for everything.
 
Soku39 said:
I am only a pilot, but simply thinking about the implications of this. What if you have similar callsigns/flight #s on frequency, what if the briefing strips have airport codes that are similar or almost the same (think working clearance delivery), or even giving out squawk codes. I shudder to the think of the mistakes that could be made. Controllers without this impediment have to be careful enough, let alone with it. However I could be completely wrong, after all in the federal govt. there is a waiver for everything.
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Ya the more I think of it the more I feel I shouldn't do it. Even if the FAA allows it, I don't know if I can morally do it. People's lives are at risk. I don't have a server case of it but it can't be ignored. I do want to do something in aviation though.
 
titansox said:
Ya the more I think of it the more I feel I shouldn't do it. Even if the FAA allows it, I don't know if I can morally do it. People's lives are at risk. I don't have a server case of it but it can't be ignored. I do want to do something in aviation though.
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Become a mechanic. The scheduling is better, pay is similar, you're almost never gone, and in general nuts and bolts only turn two ways.
 
titansox said:
A while back I asked you if I could become a pilot being dyslectic. You told me "You need to be able to read to study for the written (which is given on a computer) and to read weather briefings." Well my real intentions in life is to be an air traffic controller (although I am having a few second thoughts). Is there such a thing as a dyslexic Air Traffic Controller? I've read that you can't have a speech impediment but I don't know if dyslexia is considered a speech impediment.
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Dyslexia is not a speech impediment. You can retrain your brain to help deal with dyslexia. I have mild dyslexia and I do fine when it comes to receiving and broadcasting freq.

It is all about how you train your brain to compute the information you are receiving.

How dsylexic are you? How you ever been to a therapist to help deal with it?
 
CBpilot said:
Dyslexia is not a speech impediment. You can retrain your brain to help deal with dyslexia. I have mild dyslexia and I do fine when it comes to receiving and broadcasting freq.

It is all about how you train your brain to compute the information you are receiving.

How dsylexic are you? How you ever been to a therapist to help deal with it?
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I'd guess I'd be considered mildly dyslexic. I've never seen anyone about it. The first 11 year of school (through 11th grade) I was part of the LD program. Even when I was apart of the LD program, I didn't have to many advantages. They allowed me to use a computer on all writing assiments and they game me extended time on tests. However some time mid 11th grade, they re evaluated me and I "graduated" from the LD program. Senior year in HS I did just fine. Like I said, I had a 3.91 my senior year. I feel like I could over come my dyslexia in this sorta job. I've learned to over come my disability over the last 19 years of my life. There is no doubt in my mind that I could do it. HOWEVER, I do make mistakes. People's lives are eat stake and if I'm not allowed to do this, I won't.

Hey, doc, what do you think? I know what the assumption is, but whats written in the books?
 
titansox said:
I'd guess I'd be considered mildly dyslexic. I've never seen anyone about it. The first 11 year of school (through 11th grade) I was part of the LD program. Even when I was apart of the LD program, I didn't have to many advantages. They allowed me to use a computer on all writing assiments and they game me extended time on tests. However some time mid 11th grade, they re evaluated me and I "graduated" from the LD program. Senior year in HS I did just fine. Like I said, I had a 3.91 my senior year. I feel like I could over come my dyslexia in this sorta job. I've learned to over come my disability over the last 19 years of my life. There is no doubt in my mind that I could do it. HOWEVER, I do make mistakes. People's lives are eat stake and if I'm not allowed to do this, I won't.

Hey, doc, what do you think? I know what the assumption is, but whats written in the books?
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IF you think you can do the job and be safe and the feds give you a waiver then go for it and do your best. Then if your managers/trainers, or feds say no then you've done all you can do to persue your dream.

Good Luck!
 
Bandit_Driver said:
IF you think you can do the job and be safe and the feds give you a waiver then go for it and do your best. Then if your managers/trainers, or feds say no then you've done all you can do to persue your dream.

Good Luck!
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These are my thoughts here:

1) If its not against FAA regulations (Ie not a speech impediment) then I want to give it a try.
2) I want to keep everyone safe
3) If I can't keep everyone safe, I won't make it through CCBC/OKC no?
4) If I do make it through CCBC/OKC, I'll be just as qualified as anyone else who did.
5) I really want to get my facts strait because if I choose to do go to CCBC, I'm all in with my educational savings. If I do this and something goes wrong, I've got nothing. This is a very scary thought.
 
Titan,

I understand your thought process and you are using good foresight when it comes to being realistic about your abilities to become a pilot or ATC. I will give you my .02 on this.

As I stated before I was diagnosed as mild dyslexia. I have not had any problems with it in my pilot training to date. I do however make sure that when I am receiving info like freq's that I write them down.

In my previous job I was an Army Medic and I was responsible for the lives of 30+. In Many instances I was required to rely on training and memory to save or treat injured people. I never outright killed anyone under my care:D.

Proper training will help you overcome your obstacles. Many pilot's and ATC controllers have made mistakes and many more will. Don't let the notion that you have this problem stand in the way persuing your goals.

Maybe have your instructor take you up in Class B Airspace and see how you do on the radio's. Just an idea.
 
Well I just talked with my parents and they told me I have never been diagnosed with dyslexia. Although I don't doubt that I have some level of it. This is some of the best news I've head in a long while.

CB, thats really good to hear. Don't be surprised if I keep in touch with you over the next few months (years?).
 
titansox said:
These are my thoughts here:

1) If its not against FAA regulations (Ie not a speech impediment) then I want to give it a try.
2) I want to keep everyone safe
3) If I can't keep everyone safe, I won't make it through CCBC/OKC no?
4) If I do make it through CCBC/OKC, I'll be just as qualified as anyone else who did.
5) I really want to get my facts strait because if I choose to do go to CCBC, I'm all in with my educational savings. If I do this and something goes wrong, I've got nothing. This is a very scary thought.
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If you want to cover all your bases then find a place that does adult dyslexia testing and find out for sure. Then if you don't have it for sure you can stop worrying about it and concentrate on becoming a controller. The next step would be to get your medical to make sure there aren't any other surprises that would keep you from getting the job. Then spend the cash on schooling

Good Luck and keep us posted. I am sure the DOC can shed more light on testing and the medical.
 
Bandit_Driver said:
If you want to cover all your bases then find a place that does adult dyslexia testing and find out for sure. Then if you don't have it for sure you can stop worrying about it and concentrate on becoming a controller. The next step would be to get your medical to make sure there aren't any other surprises that would keep you from getting the job. Then spend the cash on schooling

Good Luck and keep us posted. I am sure the DOC can shed more light on testing and the medical.
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Exactly. I would think this is all speculation until you've been diagnosed with the actual problem.
 
Yeah, actually, if you've never had a diagnosis just go for it and see how you do. Trust me, you'll probably wash out before you kill anyone if there is a real problem. In fact there are more than a few controllers out there that have no "problem" whatsoever that leave people asking, "How do they not kill people?" Although your candor and prudence is admirable.

Maybe you want to get tested for your own comfort and information, but once you get a diagnosis of anything, you are opening a huge can of worms with the FAA and trying to prove you are now free of any condition/disorder/disability/whatever is a huge pain. Huge. Trust me. Lots of tests, lots of money. And that is even if you have all that behind you at your initial medical. They still have to defer and review it. If you apply and don't have any of that stuff it can take a really long time to get. And then you may have to submit to all that testing again when it's time to renew your medical. Sometimes you can report no change, sometimes they just want to make sure (with documentation) that you are still good to go.

The Docs here may have different answers, but that has been what I have seen with the medical and the diagnoses.
 
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