I’m a noob ATC!

ATC
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Hello IFC, I’ve decided to take a break from flying and try doing ATC! of course I got to start in the training server, because 1 I’m not allowed to do it in the expert server and 2 I’m not allowed to do it in the expert server.
Got a few questions before I go

  1. Got any tips? Gonna need them.
  2. Can someone tell me how the ranking works? Like, how to get up to the expert server.
    Thanks, and hope to see you there!

BTW, if this isn’t the right topic, feel free to switch it

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In order to have access to ATC on the Expert Server, you must be an IFATC member. You can apply here once you meeting the following requirements:

  • Trust Level 1 on the Community Forum in good standing
  • At least 14 years of age and as specified by Discord HERE for your country
  • Minimum stats to enter Expert Server (Grade 3)
  • Infinite Flight Account must be linked to IFC account in-app throughout the process
  • All-time stats do not exceed 50% Level 1 Violation to landing ratio
  • Minimum of 500 ATC operations
  • At least 60 days since last Level 2 or 3 Violation
  • Valid email address

I highly do recommend watching The Perfect ATC Test YouTube video as this will be similar to the practical you will have to experience.

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To add to this, you have to remain active in order to keep your spot in IFATC.

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don’t forget that the manual is a good place to refer to as well

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Hi, hope you’re doing well and don’t call yourself a “Noob”, we all start somewhere, remember that. :)

Here are my tips for you!

For Remaining in the pattern aircraft

  • Sequence the aircraft if needed.
  • Clearance for the option.

For Inbound

  • Pattern Instruction + Sequence the aircraft if needed.
  • Clearance for the option if Touch and Go + Make xx traffic. If Landing, Cleared for Landing.

For Runway Changes

  • Extend upwind if there is a conflict parallel to the aircraft requesting change.
  • Pattern Instruction + Sequence the aircraft if needed.
  • Clearance for the option if Touch and Go + Make xx traffic. If Landing, Cleared for Landing.

Note: Make sure to re-sequence aircraft if needed to.

For Go Around

  • Make xx traffic.
  • Pattern Instruction + Sequence the aircraft if needed.
  • Clearance for the option if Touch and Go. If Landing, Cleared for Landing.

For Transitions

  • Airport Elevation + 2500ft

For the rank structure:

Rank Frequencies Available Test Required Check Ride
Apprentice C / D / ATIS Theory and Practical (Initial) No
Specialist B / C / D / ATIS No Yes*
Officer Radar / B / C / D / ATIS Theory and Practical (Radar) Yes**
Supervisor No restrictions No No
Section 1A.6.1 of the ATC Manual
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Hey there! Here are some things that help me when I control.

  1. Use Flightradar24 to see which runways are being used and how traffic is arriving
  2. See if you can find the ATIS on liveatc.net (does not work for all airports)
  3. Make the airport work for you (maybe use one runway for patterns and one for landings if there are a lot of both, or one for landings and one for takeoffs).
  4. I personally try to avoid landings on intersecting runways unless approach is in the picture.
    Hope this helped!
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I think something less textbook that people have not mentioned here yet is about controlling on the training server. Unfortunately, there is no way to really enforce your instructions (such as reports on the Expert server) when you start of controlling on the training server. Because of this, there will be people spamming your frequency, people not following your instructions, and people doing crazy things like taxiing through one another. Unfortunately, it is the “training” server, training pilots for the expert server, so there isn’t anything you can do. Following ATC instructions seems to be optional. This is extremely annoying and you will get frustrated at times. The reason I am saying this is that this could cause a new controller to stop controlling instantly. Another thing is reading the ATC manual from cover to cover (at least up to section 4). All IFATC (Expert Server ATC) have read and know the manual very well. After you meet the requirements that @AviationChampion mentioned, and you feel you want to dedicate your time to joining IFATC, having trainings and a tracking thread are also very useful tools. I wish you the best of luck and feel free to PM me if you have any ATC related questions.

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Apart from the advice above and requirements, my main advice would be to keep practicing and it’ll come to you.

It’s hard to learn at the start but with time it becomes easier and and easier. Everyone has to start somewhere :)

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