Day 2 RTF:

Today we finished the airspace and procedures lesson, covered primary and secondary radar and how they function (it's actually the same class that I had in initial terminal training). We also covered ACD (Arts Color Display) where I was kind of lost because I haven't had to input keyboard entries before, but we were all told that we'd have PLENTY of practice over the next 3 weeks.

After lunch we covered separation for about 3 hours. It was taken very seriously and there were a lot of questions about wake turbulence separation and visual separation. As with terminal training, the academics are dry and it's hard to stay awake, especially after lunch.

One word on the airspace: it's very generic and it's not all that hard, however, there are some goofy procedures that are built in to set the student up for errors. For example, the airspace is split into a north and south sector. When an AC is being handed off to the north sector from the south or vice versa, and the AC is landing at one of the airports in the airspace, all aircraft shall be handed off at 6000. Well, it's very easy to put two aircraft, nose to nose at the same altitude. You'll see when I mean when you learn about the airspace. All in all, it's not too hard though.

Day 1 RTF: Alright, back to OKC just 15 days after PV'ing in the initial terminal training across the street in the Stafford Building. There are 18 of us in the class, which is considered a full class in RTF. During the introductions I found out that out of the 18 of us, I'm the only one who has never talked to a real airplane. Everyone one else has experience in one way or another. Most of them have been checked out in towers, or had military experience.

After introductions and a tiny amount of paperwork, we started right into academics. Here's a rundown on what we're covering in the 8 days of academics:

AAC airspace and procedures
Primary and Secondary Radar
ACD/STARS
Student Pilot Training
Radar Identification
Separation Procedures and Safety Alerts
Vectoring
Speed Adjustment
Altitude Assignment and Vertical Separation
Transfer of Identification
Departure Procedures
Arrival/Approach Procedures
Additional Services
Radar Services to VFR Aircraft
Visual Approaches
Emergencies
Radar Scope Presentation Set-Up Procedures
Evaluation Criteria

After 8 days in the class room we have 8 or 9 days in the labs running problems and then we're done. It's a pretty short class that lasts just under 1 month.

I'm headed back to OKC only 2 weeks after PV'ing. I was told on my first day at Potomac TRACON that I was chosen for an available RTF slot. I was chosen because I was first alphabetically with the new hires.

Anyway, I plan on keeping another blog for the RTF training. Hopefully it'll be helpful and informative. If you have any questions email me.