Hi, I'm starting my IFR training in Jan and I was going through the student package I received in the mail, got a couple questions hopefully someone can answer!
During training, is there a minimum grade you have to maintain?
If you fail one test, are you automatically CT'd? At what point do they say ok, see ya!? How do they decide to CT someone?
my course is scheduled to run for 156 days, is that realistic? Can I expect delays? What is the average length?
How many students are there in a class?
Are there any class projects or reports to do?
And finally, obviously I need a computer now to complete the ITA cd, do I need to have one during the course? (I will bring my desktop with me, just thinking of buying a new laptop instead, is it worth it?)
Thanks for all the help!
IFR Course questions...
Moderators: sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, North Shore
Hi Renfly,
Congrats on your selection for training. Its all downhill from here!
1. I believe you need to maintain a 90% average...
2.Being CT is subjective, obviously if you are not maintaining status quo or meeting minimum criteria, then you shouldnt be working planes. Be realistic about your capabilities and dont take everything so personally. I found that either you got it or you dont.
3. You can certainly expect delays after your initial training segment is completed...real life training of course brings real life delays. The initial course is nicely streamlined by now.
4. My class started with 17, 6 of us made it through, 2 of us got licences.
5. No class projects or reports...just lots of memorization.
GOOD LUCK!!!
Congrats on your selection for training. Its all downhill from here!
1. I believe you need to maintain a 90% average...
2.Being CT is subjective, obviously if you are not maintaining status quo or meeting minimum criteria, then you shouldnt be working planes. Be realistic about your capabilities and dont take everything so personally. I found that either you got it or you dont.
3. You can certainly expect delays after your initial training segment is completed...real life training of course brings real life delays. The initial course is nicely streamlined by now.
4. My class started with 17, 6 of us made it through, 2 of us got licences.
5. No class projects or reports...just lots of memorization.
GOOD LUCK!!!
Under the new system, there is no minimum "average" you have to maintain throughout the course, since you must get 80% on EVERY exam and eval to continue training. Once you pass an exam or an eval, what grade you got on it doesn't matter at all, since you have to get 80% to pass the next one regardless of what you got on the previous one.
To answer your second set of questions, there are many ways that CT's can work. During your initial 4-5 months of training, you will probably have about 5 written exams, and 3-5 simulation evaluations. You must score 80% on each. If you fail one, you have a couple days to study and review the material with the instructors, at which point you will be given a supplementary exam/eval. If you fail the supplementary exam/eval, you are CT'd, end of story. If you get 80% on it, you continue on with the rest of the class.
After the initial training, once you hit the advanced sim and the on-the-job portion of the training, you can be CT'd at any time based on the observations and opinions of the controllers and supervisors who are training you. As far as the reasons, there are a ton, but it simply boils down to do they think you can do the job.
My training, from start to finish, took 2 full years. 5 months in the Basic and Bridge courses, 6 months in the specialty simulation course, and 13 months on the floor in OJT. The reason for the long OJT and specialty sim was major delays due to CAATS training.
The class sizes I've seen range from 6-12 students.
No class projects or reports of any kind. The exams and the simulation are the only things you are required to do work-wise.
No computer is necessary. There are computers avaliable at all hours at the centers, and all the class material is provided in hard-copy.
To answer your second set of questions, there are many ways that CT's can work. During your initial 4-5 months of training, you will probably have about 5 written exams, and 3-5 simulation evaluations. You must score 80% on each. If you fail one, you have a couple days to study and review the material with the instructors, at which point you will be given a supplementary exam/eval. If you fail the supplementary exam/eval, you are CT'd, end of story. If you get 80% on it, you continue on with the rest of the class.
After the initial training, once you hit the advanced sim and the on-the-job portion of the training, you can be CT'd at any time based on the observations and opinions of the controllers and supervisors who are training you. As far as the reasons, there are a ton, but it simply boils down to do they think you can do the job.
My training, from start to finish, took 2 full years. 5 months in the Basic and Bridge courses, 6 months in the specialty simulation course, and 13 months on the floor in OJT. The reason for the long OJT and specialty sim was major delays due to CAATS training.
The class sizes I've seen range from 6-12 students.
No class projects or reports of any kind. The exams and the simulation are the only things you are required to do work-wise.
No computer is necessary. There are computers avaliable at all hours at the centers, and all the class material is provided in hard-copy.
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invertedattitude
- Rank 10
- Posts: 2353
- Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 1:12 pm
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invertedattitude
- Rank 10
- Posts: 2353
- Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 1:12 pm
Hey, i'm at YUL so maybe I can help you a bit here. For the tests its always and 80% passing mark and if you get above 60% you get a retest, under 60% its an automatic cease train. But don't worry theory is not where most of the people are cut at. As for your specialty you do get a "choice" it's more of a preference as they put you in the specialty they think you'll do best in. Myself did not end up in the specialty I asked for. It's all based on your strengths and aptitudes and you won't know where you are working before a good 5-6 months into training. See you in January and if you have any other questions go ahead!
the group you will be in has already been assigned to specific sub-units, and if i'm correct, january class will be for North and East sub-units.
north is high level, mostly radar-covered, but with some procedural and oceanic control, since it touches gander's oceanic airspace.
east is low-level, non-radar stuff, lots of data to memorize in relation to separation (i.e. every airways and their bearing/distances to the next waypoint, etc....); lots, lots of study there...! it used to be a good place to start in the center, since the success rate was nearly 100% for people who made it to the center, but the last group was catastrophic, with 25% success rate.
they will probably ask for you preference, but they won't really mind about it. they will put you where they think you will fit most.
good luck!
north is high level, mostly radar-covered, but with some procedural and oceanic control, since it touches gander's oceanic airspace.
east is low-level, non-radar stuff, lots of data to memorize in relation to separation (i.e. every airways and their bearing/distances to the next waypoint, etc....); lots, lots of study there...! it used to be a good place to start in the center, since the success rate was nearly 100% for people who made it to the center, but the last group was catastrophic, with 25% success rate.
they will probably ask for you preference, but they won't really mind about it. they will put you where they think you will fit most.
good luck!
I'm intercontinental when I eat french toast
Hey guys, renfley,
I for my part am on standby for the very same IFR training starting Jan 21st at Montreal's ACC. Congratulations to you Renfley, although I so very wish I was also confirmed... From what I understand the only way I'm getting in with you is if one of the confirmed candidates drops out for one reason or another. I've even received all my training material (ITA, From the Ground Up, Montreal's ACC Student Guide) and I've been working my butt off just in case they call me.
Anyway, I hope to see you there in two months!
I for my part am on standby for the very same IFR training starting Jan 21st at Montreal's ACC. Congratulations to you Renfley, although I so very wish I was also confirmed... From what I understand the only way I'm getting in with you is if one of the confirmed candidates drops out for one reason or another. I've even received all my training material (ITA, From the Ground Up, Montreal's ACC Student Guide) and I've been working my butt off just in case they call me.
Anyway, I hope to see you there in two months!
Hey popeye, just to make you feel a bit better they told me the EXACT same thing, two weeks later they called and said I was on it. Also it happens that people can't get their security or medical on time so if you got all that package it's a good thing! See you in january!
Thanks for the encouragement!
Hey Braun,
Thanks for the kind words!
I hope you're right and I'll be seeing you soon!
In the mean time, back to ITA!
Thanks for the kind words!
I hope you're right and I'll be seeing you soon!
In the mean time, back to ITA!
Depending on how far along in your training you made it, sometimes the company will recourse you. If you're IFR this could mean within the ACC or being sent back to cornwall for either a VFR or FSS course. The tower guys can be sent to another tower or back to cornwall on a FSS course.
If you get the boot completly it's a one year waiting period before you can reapply.
If you get the boot completly it's a one year waiting period before you can reapply.
