Atlanta Tracon - A80

ShawtyMane Rookie Virginia Beach/Atlanta

Anybody currently working at A80 or has worked there before?whats the washout rate and whats the average time it takes to make cpc?

ShawtyMane Rookie Virginia Beach/Atlanta

well damn, good thing i have a little experience.i have plenty of tower experience but they selected me for tracon. thats a long time for cpc and big bucks

noid Curtis E. Carr Jawja

Tower experience isn't really going to help you out a whole lot. The training program seems to have gotten better. The first group of new hires (ever) arrived in Nov '06 and got back from RTF Feb '07. Of those that are left, most only have one sector left before CPC. I believe the second group has one that is CPC and others close behind as well. The training program started out rough for the new hires as they weren't sure how to train people without any TRACON experience. Since then, it's gotten better and I think people's chances have improved. That said, it's no joke. You'll start out on 1 of 3 sectors: Links, Columbus, or Macon. Those sectors are equivalent to a level 7 or 8 RAPCON. After that, you'll either move on to Satellite (which is INSANE with the airspace restrictions), Departure and the Approach Wall.

Study your ass off, don't talk back to your OJTI's (I know it sounds juvenile, but deal with it), and ask for help when you need it. There's nothing wrong with requesting going back to run sims to work on problem areas. Running sims doesn't count against your target hours, so I suggest using it as much as possible. Swallow your pride and check the ego and do what you need to do to succeed. Best of luck!

barty Trusted Member

Where is links? The area out over Athens?

noid Curtis E. Carr Jawja

Yep, that's the one. Using the crappy center radar with horrible coverage and slow sweeps (can you use passing/diverging....the world may never know), 3/5 mi separation right down the middle, the GVL shelf. ZTL got over big on A80 when A80 took that airspace.

liv2mtb Newcomer

Who is the facrep at A80? I will be visiting the area in second week of Nov and would like to visit the facility. I hear Peachtree city is a nice place to live also. I have 4 yrs lvl 6 up/down and have been at a lvl 8 class c up/down for almost 6 years. We are losing our radar next year so its time to move on. Anymore tidbits on the facility would be appreciated.

Pavel Rookie

I would suggest avoid Atalanta, unless you want to retire very early, that place has way too many airplanes.

DurdenWM Newcomer

My VRA app has been referred to GA and i want to work at A80. Anyone working there that can confirm they actually have available positions? I want to call the facility and try to talk to anyone about how to get to the facility but am reluctant because i dont wanna bother them or sound like an idiot and discourage them.

noid Curtis E. Carr Jawja

They always have positions "open", but the district only gets so many slots a year. Seeing that the year just started, I'm sure they will have multiple group openings. That said, I would discourage any new hire from going there as a first facility unless you are one of the few that got an approach ticket while in the military.

Brian Lentini is the ATM and is a really good guy. You can also ask for Mike Jenkins, he's the training manager/acting ATM when Brian is out, and Dan Ellenburger is the FACREP. Being that you are VRA, they might pull to get you there, but you have to sell yourself. Let them know what qualifications you have, etc. Good luck.

DurdenWM Newcomer

Good looking out! Thank you.