Length of academy for OTS? - Air Traffic Control - ATC

**scooter05** · Posted: 02-07-2010, 05:30 PM

I just received my FOL. It states that class will last for approximately 52 class days. Does that include RTF or is that strictly the length of the Basics Course?

Feb. 25th 2010-OKC
A80 after graduation

**STL2CVG** · Posted: 02-07-2010, 07:14 PM

RTF is after you go to your facility. You'll come back for RTF. Basics is only 5 weeks long. The rest of those 52 classroom days you'll be doing initial tower can training.

**CLEATCT2010** · Posted: 02-07-2010, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STL2CVG

RTF is after you go to your facility. You'll come back for RTF. Basics is only 5 weeks long. The rest of those 52 classroom days you'll be doing initial tower can training.

I believe you mean tower cab training. It only feels like you're in a can when you're in the Stafford building all day long.

**scooter05** · Posted: 02-07-2010, 08:41 PM

You sure I do tower cab training? I'm headed to ATL TRACON, strictly radar.

**scooter05** · Posted: 02-07-2010, 08:44 PM

I'm off the street by the way.

**jcpilot** · Posted: 02-07-2010, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter05

You sure I do tower cab training? I'm headed to ATL TRACON, strictly radar.

No, you won't do tower cab. If you're going to a stand-alone Tracon, you'll do ITR and RTF after basics.

**JThurm** · Posted: 02-07-2010, 09:45 PM

Hey Scooter...which PUBNAT did you apply under? How long did you have to wait? Do you have a bachelors degree? I was just curious to what they looked at in order to hire you because I'm OTS as well and applied with PUBNAT 8 and scored a WQ back in November.

**noid** · Posted: 02-07-2010, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter05

I'm headed to ATL TRACON

Good luck.

**Genot** · Posted: 02-07-2010, 10:52 PM

+1

Bust your rear, monitor or study 8 hours a day at work, study 8 hours a day on the weekends and don't buy a house down there. I'm not saying this to be mean, but I know of plenty of decent experienced radar controllers who couldn't hack it. Can someone without experience hack it? It can happen. Is it likely? Not really. Your legitimate, me being 100% honest with you, best bet is make a GREAT impression so if (notice I'm not being a jerk and saying when) you wash out, your attitude and dedication will get noticed and you'll be offered a shot at a smaller tower. Also, that way you increase your chances of milking training to get past your probation period and you'll be harder to get rid of (albiet relocated to a slower facility).

**scooter05** · Posted: 02-08-2010, 10:16 AM

J THURM>>> PUBNAT 5 I think. Waited a total of 19 months for the FOL. No bachelors degree. 6 years of military service, not atc though. Good luck with the process bro. It takes a while, but worth the wait. Rumor is geographical preference emails go out in the early summer for pubnat 8.

Genot>>> Thanks for the info. EXTREMELY HELPFUL!!!!!!!