July 1st TRACON Basics

s905 said:
That is the same thing i was wondering, so if you findout anything else i would love to know because i am trying to plan to move to a new state and not knowing when is kind of a pain.

Hey Yank&bank maybe you can shed some light
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I'm getting married 05/09/09 and the soon-to-be Mrs. is understanding of me going away to OKC for training, but not having a clue as to what the moving situation is going to be from Florida to Michigan is driving her nuts!

If you interpret my FOL strictly as printed, it sounds like Academy training is just 2 courses back-to-back in 7 weeks (5 weeks TRACON Basics and 2 weeks Intro to Radar), but other threads on JC talk of a 4-week Radar Lab course termed "RTF" where we actually strut our stuff and take a pass/pass PV at the end before going to our assigned facilities.

I should email my HR rep and kindly ask if she knows more about Academy operations than simply start dates. I'll post if I get anything back.
 
Well my hr rep knew nothing beyond what was on my fol, so hopefully yours knows more than mine
 
PantherFlyer13 said:
I'm getting married 05/09/09 and the soon-to-be Mrs. is understanding of me going away to OKC for training, but not having a clue as to what the moving situation is going to be from Florida to Michigan is driving her nuts!

If you interpret my FOL strictly as printed, it sounds like Academy training is just 2 courses back-to-back in 7 weeks (5 weeks TRACON Basics and 2 weeks Intro to Radar), but other threads on JC talk of a 4-week Radar Lab course termed "RTF" where we actually strut our stuff and take a pass/pass PV at the end before going to our assigned facilities.

I should email my HR rep and kindly ask if she knows more about Academy operations than simply start dates. I'll post if I get anything back.
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I was going to edit my initial post but figured I'd just tack onto it. I did some research of my own on the FAA Academy Course Catalog website: http://www.academy.faa.gov/catalog/course.asp?CHAP=AT

Course Number: FAA50043001
Course Title: (50043001) Air Traffic Basics (TRACON)
Training Length: 200 hours
Course Description: The Air Traffic Basics course is designed for newly hired air traffic control specialists hired either competitively or through the cooperative education program. The course covers basic subjects that are prerequisite to option-specific skill training. There are no prerequisites for the course. The primary methods of instruction are lecture supplemented by embedded questions and discussion points, video segments, animation, two- and three-dimensional graphics, student handouts, and individual and group exercises.
Revision Date: 3/13/2008
Maximum Enrollment: 12
Prerequisites:

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Course Number: FAA50055001
Course Title: (50055001) Introduction to Radar Control
Training Length: 72 hours
Course Description: This course is targeted to new hire employees who have completed Air Traffic Basics (Course 50043) or equivalent and are being assigned to a TRACON-only facility. It provides information that is basic to terminal air traffic control and introduces radar control keyboard entry skills. Topics presented include: terminal controller responsibilities and expectations, human factors, air traffic publications, data blocks, clearances, airspace, etc. In addition, the course teaches students air traffic control keyboard entry skills and modification of data blocks in preparation for application of these skills in the Terminal Basic Radar Training Course (50034).
Revision Date: 8/8/2007
Maximum Enrollment: 12
Prerequisites: FAA50043, (50043) Air Traffic Basics (Terminal)

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Course Number: FAA50034
Course Title: (50034) Terminal Basic Radar Training
Training Length: 152 hours
Course Description: This course is designed for terminal air traffic control specialists and consists of classroom and laboratory instruction. The instruction provided will enable the specialist to operate radar control positions and solve radar air traffic control problems. Course length includes 1 day of performance verification.
Revision Date: 1/7/2004
Maximum Enrollment: 12
Prerequisites:

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In the event that 50034 Terminal Basic Radar Training course is required, the timeline does work out for my class date:

(50043001) Air Traffic Basics (TRACON) - 07/01-08/05
(50055001) Introduction to Radar Control - 08/05-08/17
(50034) Terminal Basic Radar Training - 08/18-09/14

For your timeline, it would look like this if forecast properly:

(50043001) Air Traffic Basics (TRACON) - 05/14-06/18
(50055001) Introduction to Radar Control - 06/18-06/30
(50034) Terminal Basic Radar Training - 07/01-07/28

Maybe? Cheers!
 
PantherFlyer...
I just received my FOL today and it does state the dates of all three courses running consecutively from July 1 through September 14 so your research seems to be correct :D See you there!
 
ctychik said:
PantherFlyer...
I just received my FOL today and it does state the dates of all three courses running consecutively from July 1 through September 14 so your research seems to be correct :D See you there!
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I wonder why my FOL doesn't specifically mention anything regarding a third course in OKC. I'm betting that it's required since that's where we actually get to play with radar labs and simulators before reporting for duty at our facilities. Out!
 
FOL this morning!
For May 14th Tracon.
My paperwork says " Classes will be in session for approximately 52 classroom days. "
 
Anyone interested in a roomate from July 1st TRACON class feel free to PM me. I'm thinking about staying at Montclair Parc because it seems really nice and has awesome reviews on JC but it would definitely be more affordable to split a two bedroom with the cost of furniture, utilities, etc. Let me know! :)
 
It sounds like you guys have figured out the schedule but just so you can put your mind to rest. Your letter may not state RTF but you will be doing it immediatly after Intro to Radar (ITR). It is 4 weeks long, 2 weeks you will be in the classroom doing a review and a little simulation practice (you will learn to be a ghost pilot so that half the class will pilot and half run the simulation) then the next two weeks is straight labs.

In basics don't worry about learning the scope or the radials off the Tulsa VOR (all you need to know is the 050 radial) until you get into ITR. Once in ITR start studying the small book they give you concerning everything about the simulation. Know your phraseology inside and out. If you know it backyards and forewards you won't have to think about it when you get to busier problems therefore you can concentrate more on what you need to do. Plus it is the only thing that you can use in your facility when you get there. (just don't say academy departure or academy approach when at your facility, it is the quickest way to being made fun of)

Other than that just have fun with it and realize this is your job no matter how cool it is, it still requires work.
 
tk727 said:
You're in luck. There are a lot of people at the Academy from Detroit. At least 4-5 of the RTF instructors spent a pretty good chunk of their careers there.
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I'm wondering how to interpret that. Either lots of controllers that go to Detroit are so good that they become instructors...Or anyone that works at Detroit is dying to do anything else so they wind up in OKC! It will be neat to have instructors that have experience from my facility, that'll make chit-chatting interesting.
 
Cojsum said:
...Your letter may not state RTF but you will be doing it immediatly after Intro to Radar (ITR). It is 4 weeks long, 2 weeks you will be in the classroom doing a ....
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thanks for the heads up... my FOL doesn't say much so I wasn't sure how long I'd be there
 
PantherFlyer13 said:
I'm wondering how to interpret that. Either lots of controllers that go to Detroit are so good that they become instructors...Or anyone that works at Detroit is dying to do anything else so they wind up in OKC! It will be neat to have instructors that have experience from my facility, that'll make chit-chatting interesting.
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They are all retired now. Just working at the Academy to keep getting a paycheck. They are all good guys & should be able to give you plenty of info regarding Detroit.
 
tk727 said:
They are all retired now. Just working at the Academy to keep getting a paycheck. They are all good guys & should be able to give you plenty of info regarding Detroit.
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Cool thanks for the heads up! With the economy the way it is and the negative publicity the big three domestic automakers have received in weeks past, I was psyching myself up to be on the defensive and have an explanation for picking Detroit as a facility locale. Not that I'm a softee but it would be nice to know that a good group of ladies and gents will be able to relate.

For those of us heading to OKC on Wednesday, July 1st, I'm fairly certain the federal government is required to observe Independence Day on Friday, July 3rd or Monday, July 6th since the 4th of July falls on a Saturday. Does anyone have any plans in advance for our first paid three-day weekend as FAA employees? I was tempted to make some dentist and eye doctor appointments since I haven't had insurance benefits for the past few years, but I would much rather not be in a waiting room! Ideas for fellow JC'ers? Suggestions for local 4th of July celebrations or fireworks displays in the OKC area by anyone that's happened to be there that time of year? Thanks in advance!
 
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