I recently found out one of my bar friends is a retired controller. His advice was to just wait on studying until you get to basics for this exact reason. He said just be about business when you get to the academy. I’ve actually gotten in touch with a few retired controllers so I’ll be utilizing them and their help throughout the process.
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Light chop
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I got offered a last minute en route class 2 weeks ago for June 24th and declined cause it was less than a week notice. My hr rep told me that since she offered me en route that would be what I’m offered in the future.
ClearanceClarence
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They give you more than enough time to learn everything at the Academy you need to know. Starting to study ahead of time is pointless, and if you learn things the wrong non-Academy way, it could be a hindrance. Enjoy your life before you get to Oklahoma then hit the books.
I will be a CTI grad in December, currently waiting for a class date.
Light chop
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I was cleared sometime between February 2nd and March 9th. Not really sure cause the flight surgeon cleared me the 2nd but didn’t send my stuff over to aviation careers till the 19th. Someone definitely dropped out cause they asked me less than a week in advance ?
Pork-upine
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My partner recently made it through the academy, and I just got my TOL! Essentially, it’s going to be one month of basics (online day shift), and then three months at the academy (rotating day and night shift). If you get enroute (chances are about 5:1) there will be 6 graded evaluations. Two controller knowledge tests, two aircraft knowledge tests, a non radar evaluation, and a radar evaluation. The points are heavily skewed toward the radar evaluation. I believe it comprises 60 of the total points needed to pass. The academic portions are weighted the least, and I think there were a total of 20 points up for grabs in the non radar portion. 70 points are needed to pass.
That being said, the academy is difficult. Two candidates in my partner’s class entered the radar evaluations in a good position to pass, and didn’t make it. We decided it would be best if I retained my job and held onto the lease while he was at the academy. I visited once about midway through the program. It’s difficult to be away, but with such a high fail rate it’s hard to justify uprooting everything until it’s a done deal.
Students usually receive the facility placement list the week of radar evaluations. So if you pass, you’ll spend the weekend after scrambling to research rental properties in new areas. There are several things to consider when picking facilities. It’s usually easier to transfer out of higher level facilities, but COVID drastically slowed the training rate at some of the upper level areas. We ended up choosing a lower level facility in a low cost of living area. However, my partner will mostly likely begin D side training in the next couple months, while some of his classmates are looking at sitting at graduate pay for nearly two years.
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robertvmarshall
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I feel like just reading the 7110.65 would be pretty undecipherable/overwhelming without any guidance.
There's something called the Acadamy way. They want you to do things their way. You'll hear "this isn't how we do it in the real world, but this is how we do it here" or "this is a game, play by the rules" more than once.
Best thing to do before the academy IF you really want to do something is just learn about basic aviation stuff, basic pilot stuff, basic navigation and radios just to get familiar with terms. Also, phonetics and numbers if you don't know them yet.
Millicent23
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So for terminal the academy is 8 weeks correct? I’ve looked at faqs and the course log, I’m just not sure what classes we are required to take. Thanks
Twistedpixel7
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I’m apart of august 18 terminal class. Just got my FOL.
Michaelayala
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I was told by a controller at N90 that its best to just learn the aviation alphabet thats it. Everything else they teach you at the academy. Besides you dont know if you may be reading older information
robertvmarshall
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Yeah, I'm an insurance agent, so I learned my Alpha Bravo Charlies a while ago to make it easier to get VIN numbers and what not over the phone. I don't think it's worth it to study anything else before the academy.
I'll agree with everyone else, if you know your phonetic alphabet backwards and forwards and in your sleep that's one less thing you need to worry about when you get there, and it's something you'll use for the rest of your career.
As for the rest of it, there's definitely "the Academy way" and there's definitely a lot in the .65 that won't make a lot of sense until you start applying it. If you're really desperate for something to do you could read Chapters 1 and 2 but I wouldn't recommend reading any more than that. They'll teach you what they want you to know when they want you to know it.
As for the rest of it, there's definitely "the Academy way" and there's definitely a lot in the .65 that won't make a lot of sense until you start applying it. If you're really desperate for something to do you could read Chapters 1 and 2 but I wouldn't recommend reading any more than that. They'll teach you what they want you to know when they want you to know it.
My experience with CS has been good. I ask her for updates. Usually get same day response.
Do you start basics on that day, or is that the academy start date?
robertvmarshall
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Same.
I’m in the same boat. TH has not sent me one email, contacted me, or ever replied to an email I sent at all during this process. It’s all been through other reps but I was told this phone call would be from TH. I also don’t have a class date. Hoping we get that magical phone call soon!
