The Side by Side ATC Podcast

Waiting for an FAA Academy class date can be exciting, frustrating, and sometimes overwhelming. Instead of simply counting down the days, what if you used that time to build the habits and foundation that will help you succeed once training begins? In this episode of the Academy Preparation series, we discuss practical ways to prepare while waiting for your class date. From finances and family con...

Many future air traffic controllers believe their journey begins when they arrive at the FAA Academy. In reality, success starts long before Day 1. The habits, mindset, preparation, and discipline you develop before your class date can have a tremendous impact on your Academy experience. In this episode, we launch the new Academy Preparation series by discussing why preparation is about much more...

Over the past few months, I’ve explored two important frameworks on The Side by Side ATC Podcast: The 6 Drivers of ATC Success and The 4 Levels of Air Traffic Control. In this episode, I bring those frameworks together and show how they work hand in hand throughout an air traffic controller’s career. The 4 Levels—Pre-Academy, Academy, First Facility Training, and CPC & Training Others—represen...

Achieving certification as a Certified Professional Controller (CPC) is a major milestone, but it is not the end of the journey. In this final episode of The 4 Levels of Air Traffic Control series, I explore Level 4: CPC & Training Others and discuss how success in ATC evolves from developing yourself to helping develop the next generation of controllers. I examine how the 6 Drivers of ATC Suc...

Graduating from the FAA Academy is a major accomplishment, but it is only the beginning of the next phase of the journey. In this episode of The 4 Levels of Air Traffic Control series, we explore Level 3: First Facility Training and discuss the transition from Academy graduate to developmental controller working toward certification. You’ll learn: Why many trainees are surprised by the challenges...

The FAA Academy is where preparation meets performance. After spending weeks, months, or even years preparing for this opportunity, students quickly discover that success at the Academy requires more than intelligence or determination alone. The pace is fast, the expectations are high, and the pressure to perform is real. In this episode of The 4 Levels of Air Traffic Control series, we explore Le...

Most people think preparation for the FAA Academy starts on Day 1 in Oklahoma City. In reality, the first level of becoming a successful air traffic controller begins long before you ever walk through the Academy doors. In this episode, I talk about “Level 1 – Pre-Academy” and why the habits, mindset, and preparation you build before training can have a major impact on your future success. I also...

Most people think the journey to becoming an air traffic controller is all about getting through the FAA Academy. But the truth is, there are multiple levels of growth in an ATC career — and each level brings new pressure, new expectations, and new opportunities to improve. In this episode, I introduce “The Four Levels of Air Traffic Control”: Pre-Academy Preparation, The Academy, First Facility T...

Driver #6: Performance In this final episode of the “6 Drivers of ATC Success” series, we bring everything together. Success at the FAA Academy isn’t just about knowledge — it’s about performance under pressure. In this episode, we talk about: Why students struggle to perform when evaluations count How confidence is built through repetition The importance of preparation before the pressure hits Wh...

In this episode, I talk about the "Big Picture". I talk about what it is, and WHAT IT IS NOT. I also talk about the picture you need to focus on while you are at the Academy or in training. It's basically this: Big Picture- NO Focused Picture- YES!! The "picture" that air traffic controllers use is not one the keeps the entire sector or airport in our heads. The "picture" controllers use is one th...

At the FAA Academy, success isn’t about talent — it’s about how you practice. In this episode, I break down why practice is a key driver of success and how the right kind of repetition turns effort into results. You’ll learn why many students struggle despite working hard, what effective practice actually looks like, and how to prepare for the pressure of evaluations. Whether you’re getting ready...

Knowing what to do isn’t enough. 👉 You have to be able to say it—clearly, correctly, and without hesitation. In this episode, I break down how phraseology impacts your performance at the Academy and why communication is often the point where things start to break down. ⸻ 🧠 Key Takeaways • Phraseology is how you turn thinking into action • Hesitation and overcomplicating create problems fast • Cl...

Working hard at the Academy isn’t enough. You need a plan. In this episode, I break down why many students feel busy but don’t see progress—and how a simple, focused plan can change that. Key Takeaways • Without a plan, you’re reacting—not improving • More studying doesn’t always mean better results • Progress comes from focusing on the right thing After each session, ask: 👉 What was the biggest...

In this episode, I start a new series where I talk about the 6 Drivers, or main areas of focus, of ATC success. If you can get these 6 areas strong, then your likelihood of success at the Academy, and after the Academy, will go up immensely. Today, I looked at the first driver: Purpose. If you have a weak purpose, or haven't really thought about your "WHY", then it will be difficult to get past th...

In this episode, I talk about one of the quickest ways to lose confidence while you are in training: It's Comparison. Comparison makes you feel behind, even when you are improving. You're often comparing your worst moments to someone else's best. Confidence comes from progress, not comparison. The only comparison that matters is : Your performance today versus yesterday. Thank you all for listenin...

In this episode, I talk about mistakes and what you have to do after you make one. ALL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS MAKE MISTAKES! And every student who has EVER gone through the Academy has made mistakes too. Every Single One!! What separates the successful Academy students from those who are not successful is what happens after the mistake is made. This week I talk about some of the ways you can over...

In this episode, I talk about one of the most universal feelings for students at the Academy: the feeling that they are behind. It happens at some point for almost every student who has ever gone through the Academy. It doesn't matter which option you are going through or how much experience you may have, at some point you will feel behind. Remember: Slow is Smooth. Smooth is fast. - Navy Seals Fa...

In this episode, I start a series on The Mental Game of Academy, and ATC, Success. This first episode focuses on the Voice in Your Head, or Self-talk. For a lot of us, we are our worst critics. I know I have been over the years. If we allow ourselves to always be negative in our self-talk, then we will always be limiting ourselves. If we have nothing but negative thoughts, our results will probabl...

In this episode, I talk about what I call The ATC Success Cycle. You need this when you want to grow and improve as an air traffic controller. This is especially important if you are at, or going to, the Academy. You will have at least some moments at the Academy where you fail. It is guaranteed. The difference between students who succeed and those who don't is: how they respond to those failures...

In this episode, I finish our journey through my 7 Laws of Academy Success. This week is Law 7 - The Law of Coachability. Being coachable is one thing that you HAVE to be when you are at the Academy. If you cannot accept the instruction that you are going to get from your instructors, then you don't have much of a chance of being successful at the Academy. However, if you go into the Academy with...

In this episode, I continue our journey through the 7 Laws of Academy Success. This week is Law 6 - The Law of Momentum. Momentum is so important when it comes to success at the Academy. You can create your own momentum by focusing on small wins. You get the small wins by being consistent in your intense focused practice. Consistency will get you small wins. Small wins lead to medium wins. Medium...

In this episode, I talk about staying calm or composed at the Academy. The Academy is designed to see if you can stay calm and composed. It will test your composure over and over, and if you are not prepared for that, the chances or your success go down drastically. If you can develop composure and the ability to stay calm and focused in the middle of a scenario, then you WILL succeed! Staying cal...

In this episode, I talk about how anticipation will beat reaction every time when it comes to air traffic control in general and to the Academy specifically. Being able to anticipate what is going to happen at the Academy is hugely important and will make scenarios so much easier than if you stay in reaction mode all the way through. Anticipation= Being, and staying, ahead Reaction. = Being, and s...

In this episode, I talk about a topic that you will hear over and over while you are at the Academy and for the rest of your career as an air traffic controller: PRIORITIES. It starts with understanding that your number 1 priority on any given day is THAT DAY! If you are worried about what is coming up in 3 or 4 weeks, or you are trying to learn something that your instructors have not taught you...

In this episode, I talk about the second law: The Law of Process. This law is all about consistency. Day after day, after day, after day... At the Academy, consistency beats "natural talent" every time. Someone with natural talent who doesn't try to increase that talent has already hit their ceiling. On the other hand, if you are consistent about Intense, focused practice then your ceiling will in...