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What to know before training starts

Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2016 10:52 am
by Freakflyer
I am trying to get a jump on learning prior to receiving and offer for training. Just wondering what IATA codes should be memorized (Moncton FIR).

Re: What to know before training starts

Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2016 2:00 pm
by chobs
I wouldn't really bother learning that before you get started. There's a list of like 60 or so (I'm going by memory here) airport identifiers you need to have memorized (Canadian, US and international), but you should have plenty of time to learn them before the ITA.

Re: What to know before training starts

Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2016 2:13 pm
by NotDirty!
Unless I am mistaken, IATA codes won't do you much good in the ATS business. ICAO codes will be used in flight planning, and while the conversion from IATA to ICAO for domestic airports is fairly straightforward, basically everything outside of the US and Canada is completely different.

Good luck.

Re: What to know before training starts

Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2016 2:52 pm
by Freakflyer
NotDirty! wrote:Unless I am mistaken, IATA codes won't do you much good in the ATS business. ICAO codes will be used in flight planning, and while the conversion from IATA to ICAO for domestic airports is fairly straightforward, basically everything outside of the US and Canada is completely different.

Good luck.
Thank you NotDirty!

I didn't realize that. Well, I guess I will start looking at the major N.American cities for their ICAO codes.

Re: What to know before training starts

Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2016 8:28 am
by Braun
Freakflyer wrote:
NotDirty! wrote:Unless I am mistaken, IATA codes won't do you much good in the ATS business. ICAO codes will be used in flight planning, and while the conversion from IATA to ICAO for domestic airports is fairly straightforward, basically everything outside of the US and Canada is completely different.

Good luck.
Thank you NotDirty!

I didn't realize that. Well, I guess I will start looking at the major N.American cities for their ICAO codes.
Do you have previous aviation experience? If not read as much as you can about airlines, airplanes, ATC in general, VFR flying, IFR flying and anything else related. The most common complaint amongst training teams is lack of general knowledge by the new employees. If you know in advance that you know nothing about aviation it is time to start reading up.

Re: What to know before training starts

Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2016 5:31 pm
by fanman888
Braun wrote:
Freakflyer wrote:
NotDirty! wrote:Unless I am mistaken, IATA codes won't do you much good in the ATS business. ICAO codes will be used in flight planning, and while the conversion from IATA to ICAO for domestic airports is fairly straightforward, basically everything outside of the US and Canada is completely different.

Good luck.
Thank you NotDirty!

I didn't realize that. Well, I guess I will start looking at the major N.American cities for their ICAO codes.
Do you have previous aviation experience? If not read as much as you can about airlines, airplanes, ATC in general, VFR flying, IFR flying and anything else related. The most common complaint amongst training teams is lack of general knowledge by the new employees. If you know in advance that you know nothing about aviation it is time to start reading up.
"From the Ground Up" (book) is an excellent way to get general information on aviation. Teaches you everything from meteorology to theory of flight.

Re: What to know before training starts

Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2016 8:17 pm
by TheSealRimRady
I don't think it's worth your time to try and find what airport codes they'll expect you to know before even receiving a course offer. Once you get your course offer, go to town on the ITA material!

I know where you're coming from, but enjoy your free time. If/when you start training, there won't be much of it!

Re: What to know before training starts

Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2016 11:46 pm
by Freakflyer
Happy New Year all!

Thank you Braun, fanman888 and TheSealRimRady,

Sorry for the late reply...I have been enjoying family over the holidays. I did order From The Ground Up and have started reading it. I have very little aviation experience. The little I have learned was from skydiving, but that barely scratches the surface. Braun, what should I know about airlines? The other topics you listed make sense, but just wasn't sure what I would need to know up front about airlines.

Thanks again guys. I appreciate all the info.