The Side by Side ATC Podcast

Tom Hanes

This is a podcast for people interested in air traffic control with a focus on the FAA Academy, CTI graduates, and trainees at their first facility.

  1. 8h ago

    The Rate of Speech Tool- Fast Isn't Always Faster

    “Fast is slow. Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.” — Academy classroom saying When traffic starts getting busy, it can be tempting to start talking faster. But faster speech doesn't always make you faster. The faster you talk, the greater the chance of hearing “Say again.” Now you have to repeat the transmission, you've used more frequency time, and you've fallen even further behind. In this episode, we add the Rate of Speech Tool to your ATC Tool Belt and look at how your speech rate needs to work with your writing rate, listening, and Picture. The goal isn't to talk fast. It's to develop a smooth, steady rate that gets the message understood the first time. Fast isn't faster if you have to say it twice. Thank you for listening!! FOR HELP: To set up a FREE call: 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 . 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 . 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 . If you are interested in my Coaching Programs, you can get information at : sidebysideatc.com/page/non-radar-lab-program sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-lab-program sidebysideatc.com/page/complete-lab-program or 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 Questions You can email me questions, or comments, at: tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com .

  2. Sep 7

    The Multitasking Tool- How to Talk/Listen and Write at the Same Time

    One of the biggest concerns I hear from Academy students is, "How am I ever going to talk, write, listen, think, and build the picture all at the same time?" The answer may surprise you. Great air traffic controllers don't start by mastering everything at once. They master one skill at a time until those individual skills become automatic. As each tool requires less mental effort, they gain the capacity to add another. That's how true multitasking is built. In this episode, we'll explore why feeling overwhelmed is a normal part of learning, how multitasking develops throughout the Four Levels of an ATC career, and practical techniques you can use to build this essential tool. FOR HELP: To set up a FREE call: 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 . 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 . Mentorship Program For information about my mentorship program : https://sidebysideatc.com/page/mentorship 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 . If you are interested in my Coaching Programs, you can get information at : sidebysideatc.com/page/non-radar-lab-program sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-lab-program sidebysideatc.com/page/complete-lab-program or sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-recovery if you are needing help with the beginning of enroute radar. Questions You can email me questions, or comments, at: tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com .

  3. Aug 31

    The Phraseology Tool - Why the Details Matter

    Most people think phraseology is about saying the right words. Great air traffic controllers know it's much more than that. Phraseology teaches precision. It teaches consistency. It teaches discipline. Most importantly, it teaches you that the details matter. In this episode, we continue building your ATC Tool Belt by exploring why phraseology is much more than communication. From learning the phonetic alphabet and aviation terminology before the Academy to developing precise, standardized transmissions throughout your career, phraseology is one of the first tools that teaches you to think like a professional controller. Thank you all for listening! FOR HELP: To set up a FREE call: 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 . 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 . 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 . If you are interested in my Coaching Programs, you can get information at : sidebysideatc.com/page/non-radar-lab-program sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-lab-program sidebysideatc.com/page/complete-lab-program or 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 Questions You can email me questions, or comments, at: tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com .

  4. Aug 24

    The Listening Tool - The Most Underrated Tool in Your Tool Belt

    Great air traffic controllers aren't known for talking more. They're known for listening better. In this episode, we continue building your ATC Tool Belt by focusing on one of the most overlooked—and most valuable—skills in aviation: listening. Listening is much more than hearing words on a frequency. It's building the picture, recognizing patterns, verifying readbacks, anticipating what's coming next, and making better decisions before problems develop. Whether you're waiting for an Academy class date, training at the FAA Academy, or working your first position, becoming a better listener will make you a better controller. In This Episode Why listening is the foundation of effective communicationThe difference between hearing and truly listeningFive techniques to strengthen your Listening ToolHow listening develops through all Four Levels of an ATC careerHow listening supports the Picture Driver and improves performance Thank you for listening!! FOR HELP: To set up a FREE call: 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 . 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 . 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 . If you are interested in my Coaching Programs, you can get information at : sidebysideatc.com/page/non-radar-lab-program sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-lab-program sidebysideatc.com/page/complete-lab-program or 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 Questions You can email me questions, or comments, at: tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com .

  5. Aug 17

    The Learning Tool : Learning How to Learn in ATC

    Every air traffic controller starts with an empty tool belt. Some fill that tool belt faster than others—not because they're smarter, but because they've learned how to learn. In this episode, we begin building the first tool in the Learning Toolbox: The Learning Tool. While many students focus on what they need to study, successful controllers also develop how they learn. That skill becomes the foundation for every other tool they'll add throughout their careers. Whether you're waiting on an Academy class date, preparing for your first day, training at your first facility, or mentoring the next generation of controllers, the ability to learn efficiently is one of the most valuable tools you'll ever develop. In This Episode Why learning is the foundation of every successful ATC career.The difference between collecting information and developing understanding.Why successful controllers never stop learning.Five practical techniques to become a better learner.How the Learning Tool develops throughout all Four Levels of your career. • How this tool connects to the Six Drivers of ATC Success. Thank you for listening!! FOR HELP: To set up a FREE call: 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 . 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 . Already at the Academy If you are interested in my Coaching Programs, you can get information at : sidebysideatc.com/page/non-radar-lab-program sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-lab-program sidebysideatc.com/page/complete-lab-program or 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 Questions You can email me questions, or comments, at: tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com .

  6. Aug 10

    The Hardest Thing About the FAA Academy- Part 1 _ Replay

    This is a replay of a previous episode. I am still dealing with a herniated disk and will be out of commission this week. I hope to be back next week to start discussing Tools You Need for Your ATC Tool Belt. On today's episode, I talk about what I have seen as the hardest thing for students at the FAA Academy. I talk about the amount of information you, as students, will be required to absorb and to know. Then, I talk about the hardest thing: NERVES! Join me as I give you some tips about handling nerves while you are at the Academy. Let me know what you think. Leave me a comment about the show or about a question you have that you would like me to talk about on a future show. FOR HELP: To set up a FREE call: 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 . 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 . 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 . If you are interested in my Coaching Programs, you can get information at : sidebysideatc.com/page/non-radar-lab-program sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-lab-program sidebysideatc.com/page/complete-lab-program or 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 Questions You can email me questions, or comments, at: tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com .

  7. Aug 3

    Building Your ATC Tool Belt: One Tool at a time

    Every great air traffic controller starts in the same place—with an empty tool belt. The difference isn’t natural talent. It isn’t luck. And it isn’t having all the answers before training begins. The difference is a commitment to continually adding new tools throughout your career. In this episode, we kick off a brand-new series focused on building the tools that help aspiring controllers succeed—not only at the FAA Academy, but throughout their entire careers. We’ll introduce the philosophy behind the ATC Tool Belt, explain how each tool develops through the Four Levels of an ATC career, show how the Six Drivers help organize your growth, and discuss why the Success Cycle is the process that turns experience into improvement. This episode lays the foundation for everything that follows. ⸻ In This Episode Why every successful controller builds an ATC Tool BeltWhat qualifies as a “tool”The difference between learning topics and building toolsHow the Four Levels shape your developmentHow the Six Drivers help you focus your growthWhy every tool is developed through the Success CycleWhat to expect from the Building Your ATC Tool Belt series ⸻ FOR HELP: To set up a FREE call: 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 . 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 . Already at the Academy If you are interested in my Coaching Programs, you can get information at : sidebysideatc.com/page/non-radar-lab-program sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-lab-program sidebysideatc.com/page/complete-lab-program or 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 Questions You can email me questions, or comments, at: tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com . Discount Code: Founders20

  8. Jul 27

    Phraseology Is King - Replay

    This is a replay of one of the first episodes from September 2024. I am having to do this replay as I am laid up with a pinched nerve and unable to get upstairs to my office. Hopefully, I will be back in time for next week. Until then here are the notes from the original episode with the current contact info. Have a great week! On this episode, I talk about why phraseology is King. I talk about the reasons it's so important and some ways to practice. If you have great phraseology, you will: Sound ProfessionalBe ProfessionalBe able to put evaluators to sleep To set up a FREE call: 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 . 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 . 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 . If you are interested in my Coaching Programs, you can get information at : sidebysideatc.com/page/non-radar-lab-program sidebysideatc.com/page/radar-lab-program sidebysideatc.com/page/complete-lab-program or 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 Questions You can email me questions, or comments, at: tomhanes@sidebysideatc.com . Discount Code: Founders20

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About

This is a podcast for people interested in air traffic control with a focus on the FAA Academy, CTI graduates, and trainees at their first facility.

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