Supervisor Stories: Edition 2 | April 2022
Welcome back to the second edition of Supervisor Stories! Each edition of Supervisor Stories will introduce you to a handful of supervisors from the Infinite Flight Air Traffic Control team as they share their IFATC story and journey with the wider community. The IFATC Supervisor Team and the community as a whole is full of people from around the world, with a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences so there will never be a dull moment. Sit back, relax and enjoy the second edition of Supervisor Stories as we meet and learn the stories of more supervisors from the Infinite Flight ATC team!
TaipeiGuru | IFATC Supervisor, Recruiter and Trainer
TaipeiGuru's Supervisor Story
Hello everyone! Iām TaipeiGuru, and Iāve been an Infinite Flight user since early 2019. Flying was initially my passion, but I got into the ATC side of things in August of that year and thoroughly enjoyed my controlling experiences. I currently serve as an IFATC Supervisor, Recruiter, Trainer, and Tester.
Before joining IFATC, I spent most of my time in the VA world, regularly flying for BAVA. However, Trio convinced me to dive into the ATC world in the summer of 2019. So, with his encouragement and the motivation to work with the biggest names in ATC, I joined IFATC on August 7th.
Controlling became a favourite pastime of mine, giving me a chance to challenge myself and help manage the skies of the expert server. Later that year, I began training to attain radar certification. Aquila was an incredible mentor, and his teachings inspired much of what I do now. In February 2020, I became an officer and gained more experience by controlling radar.
The last step of my journey thus far was becoming a member of upper management. Josh asked me to become a trainer in May 2020, and Tyler promoted me to a supervisor that November. These have been the most rewarding aspects of IFATC, allowing me to build relationships and share my knowledge with those I worked with. Training, in particular, has given me immense satisfaction in teaching others and watching them succeed. In the past 2.5 years, Iāve had zero regrets about becoming a part of the IFATC family, and Iām excited to see what the future holds in store.
Rick | IFATC Supervisor
Rick's Supervisor Story
Hello,
Iāll start off with a little introduction. My name is Rick. I am 38 years old. I am in my 20th year as an automobile technician with GM. I am married and I have 2 wonderful children. My hobbies really are fishing! If thereās water, Iāll fish it! When Iām not controlling or flying the IF skies, I spend time with my family, work, and fish. Growing up I have loved aviation my entire life. A career as an A&P technician, avionics technician, or ATC were always on the top of my list. Please donāt ask why I never chose a profession with aviation because to this day, I canāt even tell you.
My journey with IFATC started most likely like all of you, on the training server. After flying a lot, building more confidence, and seeing what the controllers could do when flying in to an airspace, I thought man, I really want to do that. So, finally one day I decided to contact a recruiter. He set me up with a written test which in all honesty, I didnāt pass right away. After failing a couple of attempts I decided I wanted to wait and maybe I wasnāt good enough for ATC. I made friends a long the way and one in particular Iāve made very good friends with. He asked how my controlling was coming. I just said not good. I didnāt want to give up though. With the encouragement of him I decided to get back in to it. So I started controlling the TS again along with his help. I finally got the courage to take that written test again and I passed.
After that time I got my trainer which I must say was hands down, amazing! It was difficult to begin with but with many questions I worked my way through it. It was time for my local practical. Nervous I was but I was determined to pass it and become an IFATC. Passed the first attempt! What an amazing feeling that was! I soon discovered how awesome and welcoming the IFATC community is. They made me feel right at home. After some time I wanted more. So I decided to apply for a radar controller.
Some of the most difficult, and intense training Iāve been through. There were uppers, downers, and all rounders. I pushed myself through the training and was backed up by each pilot, and trainer during that time. After some sessions getting closer to a practical I just wanted another so I could try and perfect how I was controlling. I scheduled the radar practical. Nervous, shaking, sweating, almost not breathing anymoreā¦I passed! Such a proud moment to achieve the officer rank after ALL of the hard work put in. My friends, trainer, and recruiter never gave up hope.
One day I was at work and I received a message from Tyler congratulating me on the promotion to supervisor. I think my mouth hit the floor that day. What an honour! Since then I am beyond words excited and happy to hold this position.
If you are looking to join IFATC, I highly encourage it. You will not be disappointed. You will experience the same friendliness and support I did and still do. What an amazing crew! With coming this far and reaching so many goals, I have also many more goals to reach. So much inspiration. I am always willing to help, answer questions, and I want to see all aspiring controllers succeed. Donāt ever give up. If you say you canātā¦.you wonāt!
DaniCP | IFATC Supervisor
DaniCP's Supervisor Story
Hello everybody. My name is Dani and Iām from Barcelona (Spain).
Since I was a child Iāve been a fan of aviation, but Iāve always been interested in the world of air traffic controllers. Iām a bit bossy and I like to be listened to by others, just kidding.
My story in IFATC begins in 2018, when I started to control in the training server, without having much idea, but I liked the feeling I got from telling the airplanes what to do. At that time, I was in a VO and I saw my colleagues opening ATC in the expert server and I was jealous, because I could not. At that time, I wrote to a random recruiter āManoel Gā (no longer active) to guide me in my beginnings. He was not a trainer, but he always helped me with my doubts. I passed the theory exam the third time and the practical at the second attempt and I could finally start enjoying my experience in IFATC.
I was happy as a āspecialistā. After 20,000 ops, one day I opened EDDF with a supervisor and was fascinated to see how he managed the traffic in his airspace. He encouraged me to start the way to become an officer and enjoy IFATC in all its splendour. I contacted another recruiter āAdam Callowā who also trained me to pass my practical test and become an officer in April 2020. He was very patient with me and helped me a lot.
When I achieved that, the real adventure began. Being able to control tower and ground or approach whenever I wanted, was great.
I always try to do my best as a controller, and I take this as part of my life. Now I have something very important in my life (my daughter) but I always try to get a few hours a week for this simulator. The sensations it gives me are really unique.
After 4 years at IFATC, I received a private message from Tyler, congratulating me on my promotion to āsupervisorā. At that moment I was driving and I had to stop to read it slowly many times, because I couldnāt believe it.
I want to thank the whole IFATC team, those who are here and those who left. I have made many friends here (sorry if Iām not very talkative, English is not my native language).
Thanks to moderators, developers, staff, supervisors, trainers, pilots etc.
Thank you for making Infinite Flight an amazing simulator!
Thanks for tuning in to the second edition of Supervisor Stories. These stories and this initiative is designed for community members to gain an understanding of what the journey into and through IFATC can entail and to encourage community members that are contemplating joining IFATC to do so, as it is certainly an experience you wonāt regret as shown by the stories of the supervisors.
