The Side by Side ATC Podcast

The 4 Levels of Air Traffic Control- Level 1 - Pre-Academy

Most people think preparation for the FAA Academy starts on Day 1 in Oklahoma City. In reality, the first level of becoming a successful air traffic controller begins long before you ever walk through the Academy doors. In this episode, I talk about “Level 1 – Pre-Academy” and why the habits, mindset, and preparation you build before training can have a major impact on your future success. I also connect this first level to the “6 Drivers of ATC Success” and discuss how Purpose, Plan, Phraseology, Practice, Picture, and Performance all begin developing before formal training even starts. The students who succeed most consistently are often the ones who arrive prepared mentally, emotionally, and academically before the pressure of the Academy begins. If you are waiting for a class date, attending ATC school, or preparing for the next step in your journey, this episode will help you understand how to start building the foundation for long-term success in air traffic control. FOR HELP: To set up a FREE call: sidebysideatc.com/scheduler/free-consult [http://sidebysideatc.com/scheduler/free-consult] Pre-Academy If you are heading to the Academy in the next few months, I put together a structured 90-day preparation blueprint that walks you through exactly what to focus on each month before you go. It's designed to help reduce shock and build confidence before day one. You can download it at: sidebysideatc.com/page/blueprint [https://sidebysideatc.com/page/blueprint] . I also have a video where I explain the different things that are on the enroute Non-Radar Map. You can get that video at: sidebysideatc.com/page/map-video [https://sidebysideatc.com/page/map-video] . Already at the Academy If you are already in the enroute radar portion of the Academy and feeling a little behind or lost, I have a 72-Hour Radar Recovery Plan that will help you get past those feelings and start building confidence. You can download that at : sidebysideatc.com/page/72-hourplan [https://sidebysideatc.com/page/72-hourplan] . If you are interested in my Coaching Programs, you can get information at : sidebysideatc.com/page/non-radar-lab-program [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/elite-level-1-1-coaching] sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-lab-program [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-lab-program] sidebysideatc.com/page/complete-lab-program [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/complete-lab-program] or sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-recovery [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-recovery] if you are needing help with the beginning of enroute radar. Mentorship Program For information about my mentorship program : https://sidebysideatc.com/page/mentorship [https://sidebysideatc.com/page/mentorship] Questions You can email me questions, or comments, at: tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com [tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com] .

The 4 Levels of Air Traffic Control- Introduction

Most people think the journey to becoming an air traffic controller is all about getting through the FAA Academy. But the truth is, there are multiple levels of growth in an ATC career — and each level brings new pressure, new expectations, and new opportunities to improve. In this episode, I introduce “The Four Levels of Air Traffic Control”: * Pre-Academy Preparation, * The Academy, * First Facility Training, * Becoming a CPC while helping train others. I also connect these levels back to the “6 Drivers of ATC Success” and discuss how Purpose, Plan, Phraseology, Practice, Picture, and Performance continue to repeat throughout a controller’s career. Whether you are waiting for a class date, currently at the Academy, or working through facility training, this episode will help you see the bigger picture of the ATC journey — and why growth in this profession is a continuous process, not a single moment of success. Thank you for listening! FOR HELP: To set up a FREE call: sidebysideatc.com/scheduler/free-consult [http://sidebysideatc.com/scheduler/free-consult] Pre-Academy If you are heading to the Academy in the next few months, I put together a structured 90-day preparation blueprint that walks you through exactly what to focus on each month before you go. It's designed to help reduce shock and build confidence before day one. You can download it at: sidebysideatc.com/page/blueprint [https://sidebysideatc.com/page/blueprint] . I also have a video where I explain the different things that are on the enroute Non-Radar Map. You can get that video at: sidebysideatc.com/page/map-video [https://sidebysideatc.com/page/map-video] . Already at the Academy If you are already in the enroute radar portion of the Academy and feeling a little behind or lost, I have a 72-Hour Radar Recovery Plan that will help you get past those feelings and start building confidence. You can download that at : sidebysideatc.com/page/72-hourplan [https://sidebysideatc.com/page/72-hourplan] . If you are interested in my Coaching Programs, you can get information at : sidebysideatc.com/page/non-radar-lab-program [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/elite-level-1-1-coaching] sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-lab-program [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-lab-program] sidebysideatc.com/page/complete-lab-program [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/complete-lab-program] or sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-recovery [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-recovery] if you are needing help with the beginning of enroute radar. Mentorship Program For information about my mentorship program : https://sidebysideatc.com/page/mentorship [https://sidebysideatc.com/page/mentorship] Questions You can email me questions, or comments, at: tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com [tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com] .

The 6 Drivers of ATC Success- Driver #6- Performance

Driver #6: Performance In this final episode of the “6 Drivers of ATC Success” series, we bring everything together. Success at the FAA Academy isn’t just about knowledge — it’s about performance under pressure. In this episode, we talk about: * Why students struggle to perform when evaluations count * How confidence is built through repetition * The importance of preparation before the pressure hits * Why simplifying your process improves performance * How all 6 Drivers work together to help you succeed If you’ve got a class date coming up — or you’re already in the Academy — this episode is designed to help you perform when it matters most. 🎯 Download the free 90-Day Academy Success Blueprint in the show notes below. Don’t try to go through this ATC journey alone… walk alongside — Side by Side. FOR HELP: To set up a FREE call: sidebysideatc.com/scheduler/free-consult [http://sidebysideatc.com/scheduler/free-consult] Pre-Academy If you are heading to the Academy in the next few months, I put together a structured 90-day preparation blueprint that walks you through exactly what to focus on each month before you go. It's designed to help reduce shock and build confidence before day one. You can download it at: sidebysideatc.com/page/blueprint [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/blueprint] . I also have a video where I explain the different things that are on the enroute Non-Radar Map. You can get that video at: sidebysideatc.com/page/map-video [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/map-video] . Already at the Academy If you are already in the enroute radar portion of the Academy and feeling a little behind or lost, I have a 72-Hour Radar Recovery Plan that will help you get past those feelings and start building confidence. You can download that at : sidebysideatc.com/page/72-hourplan [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/72-hourplan] . If you are interested in my Coaching Programs, you can get information at : sidebysideatc.com/page/non-radar-lab-program [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/non-radar-lab-program] sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-lab-program [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-lab-program] sidebysideatc.com/page/complete-lab-program [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/complete-lab-program] or sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-recovery [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-recovery] if you are needing help with the beginning of enroute radar. Mentorship Program For information about my mentorship program : https://sidebysideatc.com/page/mentorship [https://sidebysideatc.com/page/mentorship] Questions You can email me questions, or comments, at: tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com [tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com] .

The 6 Drivers of ATC Success- Driver #5 - Picture

In this episode, I talk about the "Big Picture". I talk about what it is, and WHAT IT IS NOT. I also talk about the picture you need to focus on while you are at the Academy or in training. It's basically this: Big Picture- NO Focused Picture- YES!! The "picture" that air traffic controllers use is not one the keeps the entire sector or airport in our heads. The "picture" controllers use is one that focuses on individual aircraft and how they fit with the aircraft around them. And we do it 1 aircraft at a time. At the Academy, this is SO important. You have to get away from trying to see the entire problem at once. You have to focus on 1 airplane, 1 strip, 1 data block at a time. The focus becomes finding the highest priority task you need to get done, doing it correctly, then finding the next highest priority task you have. And so on until the problem ends or you run out of tasks. Remember, it isn't the "Big" picture, it IS the "Focused" picture. Build your picture 1 task at a time. Thank you all for listening!! THIS IS THE 100th EPISODE!!! FOR HELP: To set up a FREE call: sidebysideatc.com/scheduler/free-consult [http://sidebysideatc.com/scheduler/free-consult] Pre-Academy If you are heading to the Academy in the next few months, I put together a structured 90-day preparation blueprint that walks you through exactly what to focus on each month before you go. It's designed to help reduce shock and build confidence before day one. You can download it at: sidebysideatc.com/page/blueprint [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/blueprint] . I also have a video where I explain the different things that are on the enroute Non-Radar Map. You can get that video at: sidebysideatc.com/page/map-video [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/map-video] . Already at the Academy If you are already in the enroute radar portion of the Academy and feeling a little behind or lost, I have a 72-Hour Radar Recovery Plan that will help you get past those feelings and start building confidence. You can download that at : sidebysideatc.com/page/72-hourplan [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/72-hourplan] . If you are interested in my Coaching Programs, you can get information at : sidebysideatc.com/page/non-radar-lab-program [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/non-radar-lab-program] sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-lab-program [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-lab-program] sidebysideatc.com/page/complete-lab-program [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/complete-lab-program] or sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-recovery [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-recovery] if you are needing help with the beginning of enroute radar. Mentorship Program For information about my mentorship program : https://sidebysideatc.com/page/mentorship [https://sidebysideatc.com/page/mentorship] Questions You can email me questions, or comments, at: tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com [tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com] .

The 6 Drivers of ATC Success - Driver #4- Practice

At the FAA Academy, success isn’t about talent — it’s about how you practice. In this episode, I break down why practice is a key driver of success and how the right kind of repetition turns effort into results. You’ll learn why many students struggle despite working hard, what effective practice actually looks like, and how to prepare for the pressure of evaluations. Whether you’re getting ready for the Academy or already in it, this episode will help you make your practice count. 🎯 What You’ll Learn * The difference between effective practice and wasted effort * The 3 types of practice every student needs * Common mistakes that slow students down * How to build practice habits that lead to consistent improvement 🔑 Key Takeaway Practice isn’t just preparation — it’s what determines your performance. 📣 Need Help Getting It Right? If you want guidance on how to practice effectively and stay on track at the Academy, Side by Side ATC is built to walk you through it step by step. FOR HELP: To set up a FREE call: sidebysideatc.com/scheduler/free-consult [http://sidebysideatc.com/scheduler/free-consult] Pre-Academy If you are heading to the Academy in the next few months, I put together a structured 90-day preparation blueprint that walks you through exactly what to focus on each month before you go. It's designed to help reduce shock and build confidence before day one. You can download it at: sidebysideatc.com/page/blueprint [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/blueprint] . I also have a video where I explain the different things that are on the enroute Non-Radar Map. You can get that video at: sidebysideatc.com/page/map-video [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/map-video] . Already at the Academy If you are already in the enroute radar portion of the Academy and feeling a little behind or lost, I have a 72-Hour Radar Recovery Plan that will help you get past those feelings and start building confidence. You can download that at : sidebysideatc.com/page/72-hourplan [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/72-hourplan] . If you are interested in my Coaching Programs, you can get information at : sidebysideatc.com/page/non-radar-lab-program [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/non-radar-lab-program] sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-lab-program [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-lab-program] sidebysideatc.com/page/complete-lab-program [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/complete-lab-program] or sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-recovery [http://sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-recovery] if you are needing help with the beginning of enroute radar. Mentorship Program For information about my mentorship program : https://sidebysideatc.com/page/mentorship [https://sidebysideatc.com/page/mentorship] Questions You can email me questions, or comments, at: tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com [tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com] .