Hello IFATC Mods, supervisors, controllers, and everyone else who is reading this.
I would like to just “expose” some things that are far from expert this particular controller did on the expert server yesterday at EGKK. You all would say I should contact the controller and express my thoughts in a calm demeanor, well I did and the screenshot is attached below. But I’m still quite dissatisfied with the result. Now, these aren’t the first problems I’ve met on the expert server regarding the controller’s behaviour, and I realize it’s a ongoing issue with ATC in Infinite Flight and the training process of IFATC, now what I’m about to say does not in any way represent all controllers in IFATC. In fact, almost all controllers that I have come by have been great! However, there are certain controllers out there that have passed the training process but still make very “rookie” mistakes, now I get how controllers are often overworked at small busy featured airports but that isn’t an excuse for this particular example. This controller from my perspective displayed unproffesional methods of controlling and I would like to see some action being taken place towards controllers that act this way on the expert server.
If you felt dissatisfied with their response then why not just contact an IFATC supervisor to express your concerns instead of publicly “exposing” this controller?
Thats why I just parenthesis on exposed, it’s a strong word. In no way am I just calling out this controller specifically, it’s more of a rant on the current state of IFATC, and it’s recruitment process.
If anyone is being unprofessional here, it would be you.
As a former IFATC, I can safely say that NO CONTROLLER is exempt from making mistakes during their time and learning the skills along the way. It sounded like your controller was just in the starting phase of learning to control a busy airport, e.g., Gatwick, so it makes sense for there to be instructions that seem unclear or out of the ordinary.
You both did a great job in communicating with each other about the “issue”, but still, posting it publicly (without even blurring his profile pic & name) is a bit too far.
I beg to disagree, I understand controllers go through alot during the training process since I, myself is also currently in it. So, If you have gone through the IFATC certified training process (as you said so yourself) you would know the strictness of the rules. Now I’m not saying that there shouldn’t be a single mistake made ever, controllers are not robots. But the degree of the mistakes play a huge part in all of this.
We hold IFATC controllers to a high standard, and they are frequently monitored to ensure adequate service is being meet, and if needed given constructive feedback on how they can improve.
The controller based on the screenshot maintained professionalism and is willing to work with you to assess the issue, so I don’t see the purpose in exposing. To give them the benefit of the doubt as well, we have to face some connection issues between ATC and pilots (such as messages not being delivered, aircraft disappearing etc) on a regular bases, consequently putting a dent in controlling quality beyond our control. Dealing with unruly pilots can also cause inconveniences in airport/airspace flow. A few of the questions listed do somewhat correspond with these possible connection issues and misbehaving pilots. Not to cover up that there may have not been any mistakes, but do take these into consideration.
It seems like the controller gave you a very professional response to a wall of bullet points.
I want to make sure we’re watching the same replay — Nobody was cleared to line up and wait while you were on short final. Do you mean Speedbird 56? They were told to line up and wait while you had already passed them. What am I missing?
I think it’s extremely unfair to question the state of IFATC or it’s recruitment process (especially considering you haven’t completed said process) or to “expose” a controller for what looks like an honest mistake at worst. There’s a lot of unprofessionalism going on here, however it doesn’t seem to be on the controllers part. While I’m sorry you had such an unpleasant experience this is hardly the proper way to deal with it in my opinion
Yes, that realistically may one of the causes to the problems I encountered, but for example number 1 and 2, were these two problems possibly associated with the controller being distracted and didn’t see either me, the inbound aircraft landing, and then noticed me therefore issueing an immediate takeoff? Or let’s say number 7, when I was given a “turn right when able”, was this the result of said “connection issues”? Or did the controller then just realize that he had never cleared me to exit the runway after landing?
