"Ghomer" Runs

Published: July 20, 2017

Last Labs

Yesterday we ran 6 lab problems. They were all “targeted” problems – supposedly selected problems to help us work on areas we need to improve on. The problems weren’t targeted at all, they were just old skills check problems (formerly known as “graded problems” in the pass-fail environment). We also got two new instructors for those runs, so we were essentially told to do it their way or else. So that was fun.

We all ran 2 on North, 2 on South, 2 on Monitor. We had a final briefing regarding our “skills-check” on our last day, but it was really more about the course, how the last day overall will work, and what we have learned for the last month. We also did our course critique and given a short lecture of remembering that the agency is a small community and everyone knows someone who knows someone.

I spent most of the night eating leftover food, packing, and getting my car ready for my drive home.

Final Skills Check

Today, we had our final skills checks. I ran last in our group, with the new instructor who we hadn’t worked with much. I wish we’d had our old instructor for the skills check and last day of training, but that’s just how it goes. My run went alright, definitely not as well as it should have been, partially my fault, and partially the RPO kept screwing up. The instructor grading process is very subjective and he subjectively decided he didn’t like how I ran some things.

I specifically remember giving South (which was being run by an instructor) one slot on final behind a plane, and another single slot behind another plane. I turned my plane’s base (that south was to follow), and the RPO read it back. Plane never turned. Issued it again, but by that time we had a 15 mile gap on final. I re-sequenced with South so he could “fill the hole” and kept running.

My instructor also didn’t like that I let the departure climb to 120 and level, and I didn’t turn him on course because of an overflight that was at 9.5k, so I couldn’t turn him into them, but apparently that’s what I was supposed to do? Whatever – that’s his interpretation.

Here’s a summary of all the mistakes the RPOs made during my final run:

1) Had to tell an airplane to turn base twice before they did it (they read it back both times). This resulted in a huge gap on final with South having to fill the hole and it added coordination.
2) Had to tell an airplane to descend to three thousand twice (they read it back both times). Once on the base turn (which they took) and once as it was joining the localizer.
3) After clearing an airplane for the ILS approach, I went back and stated, “AAL123 as you join the localizer traffic 12 o’clock 2 miles northeast bound altitude unknown.” The RPO came back with, “roger join the localizer AAL123.” Of course, I had to fix that.
4) After the South instructor/controller decided not to accept a point out for the south gate (he wanted him at 9 and on his freq) I had to tell the plane twice to maintain nine before switching him (And of course, they didn’t take the freq change the first time).

Ghomer Runs

For the rest of the day, we ran more targeted problems. I really wanted to run a busy single-sector problem (a butt-kicker), but nobody else was on board for that. Instead we ran level-2 and 3 problems from the very beginning that now seemed boring as all get out, and that made the time go by painfully slow.

One of my instructors, Nate, always referred to the last run of the day as “ghomer runs” short for “go-home” runs. As a result, I’m titling this blog in honor of Nate (who we never got to thank and say goodbye to!).

Fortunately, we did get to say goodbye to Craig, our other awesome instructor! This was our “team.”

Friday is my travel day, when I will arrive back to my home facility and start my radar training there.

PS-I know it’s highly debated right now, but RTF is absolutely pass/pass right now. My LMS records show “attended” – not even “completed” – just “attended.” Ha! Even my OJTI class says “pass.” Baha!