Course Length

The training program consists of four phases that will run consecutively.

Training is broken down into 3 separate areas - classroom, simulation and on-the-job training (OJT). 

Overall the course will last 52 consecutive weeks or 12 months. Supplemental instruction is unlimited, and one-on-one tutoring is available as needed at no extra charge as long as attendance requirements are met.

Simulator

AATC students receive Tower simulation time on “state of the art” ADACEL ATC Simulators.

Simulation training begins with basic tower operations from Flight Data and Clearance Delivery and proceeds through Tower Controller-in-Charge training. This basic course ends with a Performance examination and certification.

Phase two of tower simulation focuses on learning to control aircraft on the ground and in the air in various runway configurations. Emphasis is on learning and applying appropriate separation standards, phraseologies, and tower procedures. Parallel runways, crossing runways and wake turbulence situations are included in this curriculum.

This course is designed to familiarize the Tower CTO students with the requirements and separation standards of radar ATC. This advanced training helps the CTO students function as team member in the ATC system.

Phase I - Classroom Instruction

Introduction to Air Traffic Control (ATC) History
This Introductory course provides a brief history of Air Traffic Control and the essential elements that make it a highly intricate part of today’s Federal Aviation Administration Community. Over the years the United States Air Traffic Control System has grown from the most basic of systems to the most sophisticated and safest system in the world.

Basic ATC Communications
This lesson introduces students to the various methods of basic communication utilized within the Air Traffic Control System. Students learn the language, or phraseology, of air traffic controllers and how to effectively communicate in the control tower, TRACON and laboratories.

ATC Weather Requirements
Students learn how to read, write, and decode Terminal Area Observations and Terminal Area Forecasts. METAR observations and criteria for SPECIAL observations are covered in detail with the objective of not only reading the observation, but knowing the requirements for dissemination of weather observations. Terminal Area Forecasts, Pilot Reports (PIREPS), SIGMETS and AIRMETS are also covered.

Flight Data Application and Procedures
This course teaches students the important functions and procedures of the control tower Flight Data Position. Students gain an understanding of receiving and relaying information from the Air Traffic Control National Airspace System (NAS), weather observers/reporters, and Flight Service Specialists to pilots or adjacent facilities. 

Phase II - Simulation

Clearance Delivery with Labs
Coursework provides students with pertinent knowledge and practical experience for issuing IFR, VFR, and Special VFR Clearances to pilots in the most efficient and accurate manner. Students are provided essential knowledge-based information in the classrooms, while enhancing their practical skills in state-of-the-art control tower laboratories.

Ground Control Tower Operations
This lesson in combination with Ground Control Applications focuses on operational procedures of the Air Traffic Tower Ground Control position. Instruction is provided on strict guidance to ensure the safe and expeditious movement of aircraft and vehicles while operating on the Airport Operation Area (AOA). This lesson also provides instruction on various types of aircraft, methods of recognition, and ground control instructions utilized to perform within the control tower’s team concept as a ground controller.

Local Control Weather
This lesson focuses on the requirements of the Local Controller regarding observation and dissemination of current weather phenomena to pilots in the tower’s airspace. Included are the characteristics of weather and its potentially dangerous effect on aviation. Students receive lecture on how quickly weather conditions affecting IFR and VFR aircraft can change. Weather conditions covered include icing, thunderstorms, tornadoes, turbulence, runway visual range, and runway condition reports.

Local Control Tower Operations
Students are taught the responsibilities of highly critical Local Control duty priorities. Traffic advisories, safety alerts, required arrival/departure information, phraseology, equipment malfunction procedures, and military procedures are some of the subjects covered in detail.

Tower Local Operations Classroom
The objective for this local operational training is to provide students with the essential knowledge to perform air traffic control duties at the airport located in Valdosta, GA.  This lecture-based session is a prerequisite to student’s performing On-the-Job Training in the actual air traffic control tower. The contents of this lesson are instrumental in enhancing a student’s ability to perform as a Flight Data Controller, Clearance Delivery Controller, Ground Controller, and Local Controller.

Control Tower Operator Fundamentals
This lesson covers the basic fundamental knowledge that’s required to efficiently operate an active air traffic control tower. It includes control and separation of aircraft in the terminal area with a high emphasis on the safe, expeditious flow of arrival and departure aircraft. Additionally, students are introduced to the significance and use of Low and High Altitude Enroute Charts along with approach procedures.

Phase III - OJT Tower Operations / Simulation

Control Tower Operator with Tower Simulation Labs
Tower Simulators are used to deliver practical application training of lecture material and the Control Tower Operator examination. Application training consists of computerized scenarios generated to comply with air traffic standards of operation and safety regulations in a control tower environment. Students utilize this state-of-the-art equipment to enhance their knowledge and practical skills prior to working in an actual control tower.

ATCT Communications Tower Simulation Labs
In this lesson the Control Tower Simulator consists of computerized scenarios generated to comply with air traffic standards of operation and safety regulations in a control tower environment. Precise phraseology is taught and practiced to ensure complete understanding by pilots and other controllers. Students utilize this state-of-the-art equipment to enhance their knowledge and practical skills prior to working in an actual control tower.

Tower Visibility
Tower Visibility requirements and certification testing are included in this course. The focus is on visibility information utilized by control tower operators to ensure flight safety of aircraft operating within the National Airspace System. Topics covered in this session include sector visibility, prevailing visibility, variable visibility, surface and tower visibility along with highly critical reporting procedures and special observations.

Introduction to BRITE/DBRITE/TDW Radar
Students receive familiarization training on Brite Radar Indicator Equipment (BRITE), Digital BRITE (DBRITE), and STARS TDW tower radar displays. The BRITE, DBRITE and TDW provide control tower operators with a radar presentation of 15 to 20 miles of the airport. Controllers typically utilize this equipment to augment their visual observation of aircraft operating in their terminal area patterns.

Local Control On the Job Training and Certification

Phase IV - Advanced Operations

Introduction to Non-Radar Operations
Non-radar separation, phraseology and procedures are introduced as a basic airborne air traffic control system. Rules for separation and control of aircraft in areas that radar coverage is non-existent or where radar has failed is covered. Also included in this area of instruction are airspace environment, flight data progress strip preparation, strip-marking methods and procedures.

Introduction to Radar Operations
The basic components of the terminal radar operations are primary and secondary Radar. Students learn to recognize and understand both primary and secondary radar presentations. Comprehension of radar usage and its unique characteristics greatly enhances an air traffic controller’s abilities to provide services within the National Airspace System (NAS).

Advanced Tower Operations
This coursework challenges the students with our state-of-the-art control tower simulators. During this period of training students are exposed to High volume Air Carrier Airports such as Atlanta, Dallas Fort Worth and Charlotte. This exposure will prepare the student to work in the FAA's high volume airports. During this course, students perform air traffic control procedures involving runway operations, instrument clearances, IFR departure and arrival procedures and separation criteria, helicopter operations, wake turbulence requirements, parallel runways and emergency procedures.