The Side by Side ATC Podcast

TODAY IS THE DAY THAT WE LAUNCH THE FIRST EVER COACHING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP STUDENTS AT THE FAA ACADEMY!! DURING THIS EPISODE, I WILL BE GOING OVER WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM, WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM, THE DIFFERENT LEVELS, WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE ALREADY AT THE ACADEMY, AND MORE! SO HOLD ON TIGHT! HERE WE GO!! FIRST, LET’S DEAL WITH WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE ALREADY IN OKC. WE WILL...

In this episode, I ask you questions! What do you want me to talk about next? DO you want more info on: The Academy Towers Enroute Centers ATC in general My Coaching Program My Mentoring Program Me The future of ATC Tech More Success in ATC is a Choice You let me know, and I will give you my best! Send your vote to : tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com . Thank you all for listening! You can get more info o...

In this episode, I continue talking about John Maxwell's book " Success ia a Choice' and how it pertains to us as air traffic controllers. This week, I talk about- Focus Your Energy. "Having talent without focus is like an octopus on roller skates. Talent with focus directs you and has the potential to take you far."- John Maxwell. Some facts about Focus: Focus does not come naturally to most peop...

In this episode, I continue my talk about how we can take some great information from John Maxwell's book "Success is a Choice” and apply it to air traffic control. This time I go through the section on taking initiative, or in ATC terms, "Taking Control." I talk about: Taking control is the first step to anywhere you want to go. Taking control closes the door to fear. Taking control opens the doo...

In this episode, I talk about how we can use Dr. John Maxwell's book "Success is a Choice" and apply it to air traffic control and the Academy. This is only the first of several episodes we will go through about this book and using it to become GREAT controllers. I talk about how you have to make choices that bring success. As part of that, we learn that talent by itself is never enough, and that...

In this episode, I talk about the information that has been released by the NTSB. I go over the staffing at the tower. I go over the use of 2 frequencies by 1 controller I also give my take on the other information that is out there online versus what you will hear from the NTSB. Thank you all for listening!! If you have any questions, please email me at tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com . I will answer...

In this episode, I talk about some of my initial thoughts on what happened on January 29 at Reagan National Airport. I give some of my observations from the initial news reports as well as some information from people I use to work with. I also talk about some of my own experiences with working jets and helicopters in the same vicinity. When an incident like this happens, it shines a bright light...

In this episode, I talk about 4 areas that you need to have a plan for BEFORE you get to Oklahoma City. These areas are: Getting your relationships ready Getting your mental focus ready Getting you emotional focus ready Getting your finances ready Having a plan for these 4 areas is crucial to success at the Academy. You MUST have these plans in place before you get there. Do not try to come up wit...

In this episode, I talk about the question of AGE. The FAA has some strict guidelines for how old you have to be and how old you can be when you apply to become an air traffic controller. What do those guidelines mean when it comes to the Academy and to training at your first facility? Through my own experiences training at ZFW as a 34 year old and my experiences as an instructor at the Academy, I...

In this episode, I talk about the Evaluators! Yes, those people who hold your career in their hands! There are good ways to deal with them, and I go over those ways in this episode. Those ways include: Being polite when you enter the lab. Acknowledging them when/if they introduce themselves. Ignoring them when the scenario starts. Being polite and attentive when they are going over your run. The m...

In this episode, I talk about John Maxwell's book "Put Your Dream to the Test" and how we can apply it to your dream of being an air traffic controller. I go through the 10 questions that he has in his book, which are: Is my dream really my dream? Do I clearly see my dream? Am I depending on factors within my control to achieve my dream? Does my dream compel me to follow it? Do I have a strategy t...

In this episode, I give you a more detailed look into who this Tom Hanes character is. I talk about everything from my love of soccer, to being a nerd, to high school, and college. I go into how I got into coaching; how I got into air traffic control. Hopefully, you will get to know a lot more about this strange guy who has a podcast about air traffic control. I then talk about some of the reasons...

In this episode, I talk about handoffs: what they are and what they are not. Join me as I talk about the definition of a handoff, how it is different from a point-out, how you can make a point-out become a handoff, and why this is SUCH a big deal at the Academy. The handoff, both automated and manual, combined with point-outs, putting in flight plans and giving clearances/releases are some of the...

In this episode, I talk about point outs and why you should care about them. I start with: What is a point out? I give the definition you will get in the radar class at the FAA Academy. I then talk about why it is SO important to you as a student at the Academy. I also talk about why they are so important at your next facility. Just remember: if the point out is NOT done, it is a separation error...

In this episode, I talk about the 5 worst mistakes I have seen students make during their Non-Radar evals. They include: Preplanning the scenario in the wrong order Not having your first moves planned before the scenario starts Not writing down your " W-H-A-T" for each aircraft, in each bay Bringing a mistake you made to the attention of the evaluator Trying to get a departure off without going th...

In this episode, I talk about some of the mistakes in attitude students can have while going through the academy. They include: Worrying about what their "score" would be on a practice scenario Worrying about the final evals before they actually get to them Not learning from each day or scenario Not taking the Academy one day at a time Using my 30 years as an air traffic controller, and my 5 years...

In this episode, I give you the five worst mistakes that students make during their radar evals. I give you a couple of things that make these errors happen for the students and how to keep from making them. They are: Phraseology and Stripmarking Errors Not using a route change instead of altitude to resolve a red alert 0M8 departure without getting the point-out done first Being late with a manua...

In this episode, I talk about the Non-Radar portion of the Enroute Academy. I cover: The different lessons The lessons to really concentrate on When your tests will be What the lab will be like How to practice with classmates How important practicing will be How to stay ahead of the program while you are in Non-Radar I talk about how important it is to stay ahead and not get behind while you are i...

In this episode, I talk about the Radar portion of the Enroute Academy. I cover: The different lessons The lessons to really concentrate on When your tests will be What the lab will be like How to practice with classmates How important practicing will be How to stay ahead of the program while you are in Radar I talk about how important it is to stay ahead and not get behind while you are in Radar....

In this episode, I talk about why it would be a good idea to have a coach on your side as you go through the FAA Academy. I talk about what has led me up to this point. I talk about some of the reasons for starting this adventure with you. I talk about how your instructors will be giving you details about what you have to know, your classmates will help you practice and put those details into actu...

In this episode, I talk about the schedule at the Academy. I start with Basics that has to be passed before you actually start either the Terminal Track or the Enroute Track. Basics lasts 19 business days or almost 4 weeks. It was being done in person before Covid, but went to virtual during and after Covid. It is about to start being done in person again starting later this year or early next yea...

In this episode, I talk about some of the things that have happened to me in my now 12 years of working in an air traffic control tower. I talk about some of the lighthearted moments and some of the not so lighthearted moments in my career. Website : attrawell.com/sidebysideatccom

In this episode, I tell some of the "Tall Tales" I have from my time as an instructor at the Academy. Some of the stories are of victories, and some of defeats. Hopefully, you can get something useful from each story. The main reason for my telling these stories is to let you know that others have gone through this journey you are on before you. They have had highs and they have had lows, but they...

On this episode, I talk about what it is like to work at an enroute center. I discuss what a normal day is like, what the traffic is like. I talk about what kinds of sectors I worked in my specialty. I describe the different positions there are at a center. What they do and how they are staffed. I talk about breaks. How often you get them and how long they may last. I also talk about some of the t...

In this episode, we’ll dive into the unique experience of working in an air traffic control tower. We’ll explore daily responsibilities, challenges, and the excitement that comes with the job, drawing on my 30 years of experience and insights from former colleagues. Segment 1: The Basics of Tower Operations Overview of the air traffic control tower's role in aviation. Importance of tower controlle...