The Side by Side ATC Podcast

“Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach.” — Tony Robbins

In air traffic control, the Picture is always changing. Traffic changes. Weather changes. Pilots make unexpected requests. And sometimes the Plan that worked a minute ago no longer works.

In this episode, we add the Adaptability Tool to your ATC Tool Belt. We'll look at recognizing change, adjusting your Plan, moving on from mistakes, and continuing to work the traffic when things don't go as expected.

The Plan can change without the goal changing.

Keep building your ATC Tool Belt—one Tool at a time.

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: [email protected] .

“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing.” — Theodore Roosevelt

Scanning helps you see what's happening. Planning gives you options. Prioritizing determines what needs your attention first. Eventually, though, you have to make a decision.

In this episode, we add the Decision Making Tool to your ATC Tool Belt. We'll look at making timely decisions with the information you have, committing to the Plan, evaluating the results, and being willing to change when the Picture changes.

You don't need the perfect decision. You need a safe decision, made in time, that moves the traffic forward.

Keep building your ATC Tool Belt—one Tool at a time.

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: [email protected] .

“Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

You may have several things that need to be done, but you can't do all of them first.

In this episode, we add the Prioritizing Tool to your ATC Tool Belt. We'll look at determining what needs your attention now, what can safely wait, and why your priorities must continually change as the Picture changes.

You don't have to do everything now. You have to do the right thing now.

Remember- Now-Next-Later

Scan-Build the Picture-Plan-Prioritize-Act - Do it again.

Keep building your ATC Tool Belt—one Tool at a time.

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: [email protected] .

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” — Benjamin Franklin

Last week, we talked about using the Scanning Tool to continually update your Picture. But knowing what is happening isn't enough. You also need to know what you're going to do next.

In this episode, we add the Planning Tool to your ATC Tool Belt. We'll look at staying ahead of the traffic, thinking beyond your next move, having a Plan B, and continually adjusting your Plan as the Picture changes.

Don't wait for the traffic to force your next move. Have your next move ready.

Keep building your ATC Tool Belt—one Tool at a time.

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: [email protected] .

Scanning isn't just looking at traffic. It's continually updating your Picture.

As an air traffic controller, your eyes need to keep moving even while you're talking, listening, writing, and planning. Fixating on one aircraft or one problem can cause you to miss what's changing somewhere else.

In this episode, we add the Scanning Tool to your ATC Tool Belt and look at developing a scan pattern, avoiding fixation, recognizing changes, and beginning to practice this skill even before you arrive at the Academy.

Your Picture is only as current as your last scan.

Keep building your ATC Tool Belt—one Tool at a time.

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: [email protected] .

“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: [email protected] .

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: [email protected] .

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: [email protected] .

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 communication
• The difference between hearing and truly listening
• Five techniques to strengthen your Listening Tool
• How listening develops through all Four Levels of an ATC career
• How 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: [email protected] .

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: [email protected] .