FSS to VFR overstaffing offers

[invertedattitude]

I'd just like to add my .02.

We have an FSS-IFR person at the centre now (or coming shortly) who came from YWK FSS.

the general attitude on the floor towards the whole thing, is to of course give them all a fair shake like any other trainee. It doesn't mean they're going to get a license of course. I would think FSS-VFR would be much easier than FSS-IFR, considering there would be certain comfort levels an FSS would have in a tower.

We've had VFR controllers with many years experience try to qualify IFR, and they were given as good a chance as any other trainee, but they failed to qualify. The difference between IFR and VFR control is immense, not to mention FSS-VFR.

I think making the FSS-IFR leap is a big one, although definately not impossible as others have said, for those who work hard, and have the right attitude.

[bigfssguy]

Actually the common held belief among FSS it is easier to check out IFR than VFR. In a VFR setting when it gets busy and you go outside your comfortable setting you revert to FSS mode and stop contolling. FSS becomes so ingrained in the way you do things that you always fall back on it when the S$%t hits the fan. In IFR the situation is so different when you are training that it's almost a fresh start and you can;t fall back on your previous training. I know your previous training isn;t much of a help but i the job are all so different in ATS that any previous training isn;t a large help.

[NJ]

Actually the common held belief among FSS it is easier to check out IFR than VFR.

Well going by that logic, does that mean that FSS cross-training would have nearly the same chance checking out IFR as a person off the street? They would come in with a bit of extra knowledge in MET and familiarity with the Flight Information aspect of the job.

As well that would mean an FSS has a lower chance of qualification in a VFR tower than someone off the street? This would be because of work habits that would now be considered 'bad.'

Say in a class of 10 IFR students, 3 qualify; 30% chance. And in a VFR class of 10, 7 qualify (very real number, 11 of 12 in my class qualified); 70% chance. So by broad extension, 30% of FSS who go into IFR would qualify. But in VFR less than 70% of FSS who go into VFR would qualify. I'd bet dollars to donuts that even with old habits, the qualification percentage in VFR would be higher than 30%. So wouldn't it be easier to check out in VFR than IFR in terms of chance?

Luckily for those FSS out there that do cross-train, they'll know how much they need to study and work to succeed in training.

[bigfssguy]

Ya NJ i think your right, personally i don;t think that someone from FSS would have a much better chance than someone off the street. We would be comfortable with the lingo, phraseology, procedures and airspace but the jobs are so different that an FSS would have trouble, just like someone off the street. I do think it would be an advantage to having an FSS background but not so much thaty your checkout would be easier.

really it comes down to aptitude, hard work and suitability to the job. Same as whenwe went into FSS n the first place. You can;t take anything for granted so the FSS would have to work as hard if not harder than anyone else.

[Winglet]

So is the FSS-IFR crosstraining check out any different than off the street-IFR? Have they "streamlined" the course or do the FSS-IFR receive the same training as somone off the street?

[hydro]

So is the FSS-IFR crosstraining check out any different than off the street-IFR? Have they "streamlined" the course or do the FSS-IFR receive the same training as somone off the street?

It's the same training as someone off the street. FSS/ATOS etc are usually mixed together with Ab Initios on the same course.