You will also be eligible for other federal benefits to include health insurance, life insurance, retirement benefits, as well as participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, which is similar to a 401K. Classes will be in session for approximately 37 classroom days.ĭuring this temporary appointment, you will earn annual and sick leave. You are required to attend initial air traffic training at the FAA Academy located at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, beginning August 8, 2011. Salary: $42,319 per annum, which includes 14.16% locality pay Type of Appointment: Excepted Appointment NTE 13 months Position: Air Traffic Control Specialist, AT-2152-EC I am pleased to extend the following firm employment offer to you: I received the following FOL on June 30th, 2011: Here are a two samples of letters I wrote. There was obviously some sort of rush linked to my paperwork. What I know for sure: I received an interview mere days before my 31st birthday and a Tentative Offer Letter (TOL) the day after my interview. In the end, I am not sure if any of the letters helped my situation. Before writing, I performed a little research on my congressmen/women to tie in any connections they had to the FAA, aviation industry or to military veterans. I also wrote my Senator, any connections I had in the FAA as well as NATCA. My first letter went out to my district Representative. After a few members were selected from the same states I chose, and with my 31st birthday rapidly approaching, it was time to be more proactive. Still, I watched as other members on StuckMic posted about being selected. I was much better prepared for the second application by ensuring my resume looked pristine and also by double-checking all required paperwork. Also, the FAA prefers not to offer jobs to military members while they are still on active duty. My first application was unsuccessful most likely because it was unplanned and rushed. As always, if you have questions feel free to contact me. If I feel inspired, I may write some more about these. I realize I've breezed over many details, particularly in regards to pay, per diem, transportation, and the like. A lot of people stress about it, but we are well trained to pass and the failure or wash-out rate for Initial Tower Cab Training is very low. If they fail a second time, they go home. If anyone fails the first one, they have to come back on the following day to try again. On our last day we will have a PV (Performance Verification) to assess our control ability. As the days and weeks progress, the scenarios get more and more difficult. We will run three different scenarios a day. The rest of our time here will be spent in the larger simulator. The larger simulator will be much better and we also get to use a CTRD (Certified Tower Radar Display) to assist in sequencing. I've had to send aircraft around because they look the same size at four miles away as they do at one. Due to the small size, depth perception is a little tricky. It uses four flat-screen monitors and is much smaller than the simulator we use in the coming weeks. We also get to use a simulator during week four. It's only fun for the students working Local or Ground, but it's a good way to work out the kinks in our phraseology. A few other students follow the instructions of the controllers and move aircraft or vehicles around the airport or airspace accordingly. Three students at a time work as Local, Ground, and Flight Data/Clearance Delivery controllers. Model airplanes and vehicles are positioned on the airport. The table is painted to look like an airport. Picture a large room with a table in the middle. I've found little need to study, but dedicated some time to memorizing phraseology and brushing up on my aircraft identification. Most of the material was pulled from chapter three of FAA JO 7110.65 but also covered information specific to our simulated airport here at the academy. Aside from day one, the first three weeks were filled with classroom work. Here's a quick breakdown of my training schedule:ĭay one covered typical new hire orientation information: FAA policies and employee benefit information. Our work hours switch each week from day shift (7am - 3:30pm) to swing shift (3:30pm - 12am). We have a smaller than average class with only 13 students. My class covers Initial Tower Cab Training only. Because I have prior experience, I skipped the ATC Basics class. This weekend roughly marks the halfway point in my training here at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma. What better way to spend my Labor Day weekend than racking up a $200 tab in downtown OKC, lazing around my room for a day and a half recovering, and updating my blog?
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