Published: July 22, 2016
Last night we started our final stage of training – problem 1 of 13 total problems to be run in the TSS labs. Each night we have 7 runs on the problem – but we run different variations of the problem and on different positions, rotating between A/B/C versions of the problem and switching between Local/Ground/Monitor positions each run.
The problem last night, problem 1, was pretty easy, though not as easy as I thought it was going to be. It wasn’t difficult, just kept my attention more than I thought it might. It had around 15 departures and 5-6 arrivals I’d estimate. Pretty straightforward problem with only a few traps set up that I caught for the most part.
My order for the night was ground/local/monitor (which repeated twice and ended on ground a third time). Ground runs were extremely easy. My first local run went okay, I had one minor issue with two VFR guys in the pattern. My second local run went much better and I felt like I nailed it, despite an instructor barking in my ear about the way he would do things. Monitor runs you just watch someone else run the local position – which can be beneficial because you see the problem from the outside of the problem and not while you’re in the middle of running it.
The only other thing I noticed about the problems is that in mine, the two VFRs I got a little close REFUSED to “see” each other – or have each other in sight. I tried twice. Everyone else I monitored, they replied with “in sight” immediately when the traffic was issued. Rawr to you, computer!
It’s actually kind of funny how much my classmates hate being on nights. I am loving them. One of my classmates actually told me I was wrong and that “it’s a fact, mornings are better.” I just laughed and walked away – clearly a matter of opinion.
I also can’t believe it’s already Friday! This week went by super fast, and I hope that an indication of how the next 20 days are going to go, as well. The weekends here are pretty hot and boring, so I’ll have to find a project for this weekend to work on I suppose. Maybe a day trip down to Texas or something…who knows.
Hopefully this weekend goes fast and training continues well this week. Thank you for those of you supporting me during this crazy process.