Quite the week

Hello everyone

As the title should already make clear, I have had quite the week. We didn't have any classroom lectures, except for the briefings, but a full week of sim (5h/day, so 25h this week). Let's just say my mind wasn't really happy when it exploded under such strain... But apart from the bits and pieces flying around everywhere, almost everything is going fine here.

Unfortunately, I have some bad news as well. We had to say goodbye to 2 persons (won't disclose identity by names or gender) of our course in the past few weeks. Strange thing is: it wasn't because of the course itself. Their results were all good to perfect, but one found out (s)he no longer had the motivation to fulfill the training and live the life of an ATCo, while the other had to stop due to medical issues. However, the person with medical issues will be allowed back on training with the next group (starting at the IANS in June).

Luckily, I also have some good news. The 6 of us remaining have now completed Learning Unit 1, in which we just took the role as Executive Controller. In Learning Unit 2, which starts next Monday, we will be switching roles as Executive and Coordinating Controller. Teamwork from now on, which will most likely lead to a noticeable increase in traffic, as we now have an extra pair of eyes on the screens.

To end with, I've received a few questions after my previous blog (one as a comment to my blog, others through Facebook) so I'll answer these now.


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Any chance on some more details of the system? For example I've heard the label can't be moved freely but has 16 diffrent positions (so sometimes it takes 14 or 15 inputs to get it to the position you want!). Would also be great to hear a bit about the scanning loops you're taught, what qualifies as a conflict and how is it shown in the system?
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The system is the same as the Maastricht-system (with some simulator-limitations), so we're getting used to the interface already. Most of it is very intuitive and it's not really that hard to get going on it, but I doubt I can go into real detail on the system (safety issues). I must admit I haven't counted the different positions of the label, but it is correct that it can only be moved counter-clockwise with mouse-clicks on the Radar Position Symbol (RPS), which is sometimes an nuisance if you want to have your labels in an orderly fashion, but you get used to it quite fast...

The scanning loops we're taught is what I abbreviate as DIEEM:
- Detect which aircraft to plan next (usually the next one(s) to contact you)
- Information gathering (what aircraft type, route, flight level, destination, ...)
- Entry conflict search (any other traffic on the same flight level, which will come within 20NM of this traffic in my sector?)
- Exit conflict search (any other traffic on the same flight level within the prescribed minima over the exit point?)
- Make a mental note (I need to do this and that with that aircraft)

There are different kinds of conflict we are detecting.
- In a situation where all aircraft are established on a flight level and maintaining that level, two aircraft at the same flight level that will come within 20NM of each other are considered a conflict during the entry planning. As soon as they've entered the sector, that minimum distance decreases to 10NM. If they come within those 10NM, they should both be put on headings to assure radar separation of at least 5NM.
- If one aircraft is climbing or descending, with an aircraft coming the opposite way, it is considered a conflict if the aircraft moving vertically has not vacated the other aircraft's level in the direction of movement 30NM in front of the other aircraft.
If the aircraft are crossing (for example, flying on headings 90° apart) the distance to have vacated the level is 15NM.
However, as 30NM and 15NM is a big chunk of airspace you're taking, they can both be put on headings to remain at least 5NM radar separated. Once the 5NM radar separation is assured, the vertical separation can be disregarded.

Hope this answers your questions properly. :-)

                                                                                                

The following questions are related to the FEAST-tests, and as they are often coming back, I'll post them here as well.

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1) Is there any way to prepare, I understand that the test itself is hard to prepare for, but what kind of skills are essential?

2) Are the tests extremely demanding?

3) Is it worth using simulators and tests that make you think a lot while doing them?

for example, i have an AT-SAT exam CD with various tasks that are built for ATC Tests. 

4) Are there any other skills I can concentrate on during the build up to the test date?
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1) As far as I was told, there's not really a lot you can prepare. You either have the skills or you don't. Some can be trained, but it takes a while (as in a few years at least).
Some items that are tested on are 3D-visualizing, logical thinking, memory, basic math, English knowledge, ...

2) Don't know really what you mean by "extremely demanding". They need your full attention and some parts are pretty hard, but I think it changes between persons whether or not it's demanding, depending on their individual skills. To person A, test X may have been too difficult, while to person B, test X was a walk in the park.

3) I wouldn't invest in expensive tests etc, if that's what you're asking. As said in item 1, you either have the skills or you don't. You COULD use tests to get accustomed to the style of questions and how they are asked, but in the end, they won't give you a real benefit. At least, I heard of quite a lot of people who have done such tests continuously as a preparation, but failed the FEAST.

4) Stress management maybe. It's an important item while doing the job, but it is definitely a good asset during the FEAST as well to keep cool. They will throw quite a lot at you in a short time span and you have to remain calm to make it to a good end.
That aside, a clear mind and a good night's rest should get you through the tests, if you have what it takes.



Something I hadn't included in the Facebook-reply to this question is the link to the wiki-page about the FEAST-tests, which you can find here.

Hope it answers your questions. :-)
                                                                                                


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I'm really into this job but my pants is full of shit: omg will I be able to learn and study day by day, really hard, and prove that I'm okay, or will fail the first few tests and go home, things like that.

The tests are like a quiz (A, B, C, D), or verbal tests or what?
Do you guys have some free time to do some fun (have a nice meal, go to do some excercise, cinema, etc.) or just learning all the nights?
What about the teachers, are they nice and helpful?
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If you keep everything updated from day one, you shouldn't be in trouble by the way. If you let it slumber for a few days and then try to catch up, it gets harder (which is most probably what caused me failing the first LOP-test), just like in real ATC. If you plan well, you will always be ahead of the traffic and stress will be "low", even with a lot of aircraft under your control. If you fall behind, the stress level increases with the square of the amount of seconds you're running behind, and believe me, the seconds grow rapidly...
Don't start the course thinking you won't be able to. Personally, I didn't find it THAT hard in basic course, but I may have been helped a lot with pre-knowledge already, so it really depends from person to person, I suppose.

As to your actual question:
The kind of tests vary. We have oral boards, which is verbally answering questions, and we have computer-based and paper exams, which can be either multiple choice or written answers.
We'll soon have practical tests/assessments in the sim as well, which are completely different again.

We do have spare time left, so it's not continuously learning, but I sometimes just want/need to do some other things than write a new blog. We all spend our free time on different things. Some use it to get back in touch with people at home, some go working out, others go to the movies, others go for a run, some just play games on consoles or PC etc.

Our instructors are really nice and helpful. They really want us to succeed, which really is a good thing. If you have any questions, you can approach and ask them. I have a feeling they'll do quite a lot, if not everything, in their power to get it explained. :)


Hope it answers your questions. :-)
                                                                                                




So that's it for this blog. As before, feel free to leave anything in the comment box, because that's what it's there for.


Kind regards,
Mathias