{"podcast":{"title":"The Side by Side ATC Podcast","slug":"the-side-by-side-atc-podcast-7035694","podcast_index_feed_id":7035694,"rss_url":"https://media.rss.com/the-side-by-side-atc-podcast/feed.xml","website_url":"https://sidebysideatc.com","image_url":"https://media.rss.com/the-side-by-side-atc-podcast/podcast_cover.jpg","author":"Tom Hanes","episode_count":112,"summary":"This is a podcast for people interested in air traffic control with a focus on the FAA Academy, CTI graduates, and trainees at their first facility.","last_synced_at":"2026-07-21T00:17:36.543938+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-side-by-side-atc-podcast-7035694"},"episode":{"title":"The 4 Levels of Air Traffic Control- Level 1 - Pre-Academy","slug":"the-4-levels-of-air-traffic-control-level-1-pre-academy","published_at":"2026-05-25T11:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-side-by-side-atc-podcast-7035694/the-4-levels-of-air-traffic-control-level-1-pre-academy","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-side-by-side-atc-podcast-7035694","url":"https://rss.com/podcasts/the-side-by-side-atc-podcast/2854962","audio_url":"https://content.rss.com/episodes/303058/2854962/the-side-by-side-atc-podcast/2026_05_25_04_52_13_65aa9a66-d6bd-4f22-8661-92f0a4ed6a52.mp3","summary":"Most people think preparation for the FAA Academy starts on Day 1 in Oklahoma City. In reality, the first level of becoming a successful air traffic controller begins long before you ever walk through the Academy doors. In this episode, I talk about “Level 1 – Pre-Academy” and why the habits, mindset, and preparation you build before training can have a major impact on your future success. I also connect this first level to the “6 Drivers of ATC Success” and discuss how Purpose, Plan, Phraseology, Practice, Picture, and Performance all begin developing before formal training even starts. The students who succeed most consistently are often the ones who arrive prepared mentally, emotionally, and academically before the pressure of the Academy begins. If you are waiting for a class date, attending ATC school, or preparing for the next step in your journey, this episode will help you understand how to start building the foundation for long-term success in air traffic control. FOR HELP: To set up a FREE call: sidebysideatc.com/scheduler/free-consult Pre-Academy If you are heading to the Academy in the next few months, I put together a structured 90-day preparation blueprint that walks you through exactly what to focus on each month before you go. It's designed to help reduce shock and build confidence before day one. You can download it at: sidebysideatc.com/page/blueprint . I also have a video where I explain the different things that are on the enroute Non-Radar Map. You can get that video at: sidebysideatc.com/page/map-video . Already at the Academy If you are already in the enroute radar portion of the Academy and feeling a little behind or lost, I have a 72-Hour Radar Recovery Plan that will help you get past those feelings and start building confidence. You can downl…","meta_description":"Most people think preparation for the FAA Academy starts on Day 1 in Oklahoma City. In reality, the first level of becoming a successful air traffic contr…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2041,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-side-by-side-atc-podcast-7035694/episodes/the-4-levels-of-air-traffic-control-level-1-pre-academy/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-side-by-side-atc-podcast-7035694/the-4-levels-of-air-traffic-control-level-1-pre-academy.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}