THE SIDE BY SIDE ATC PODCAST & BLOG
Real ATC Guidance From Someone Who's Been in the Seat
I'm Tom Hanes. I spent 26 years as an FAA air traffic controller and 5 years teaching at the FAA Academy. Whether you're thinking about this career or you're in the middle of training right now, there's an episode or article here for you.
Training Is Hard. You Don't Have to Figure It Out Alone.
I watched a lot of capable students struggle at the Academy. It usually wasn't about ability. It was about not knowing what to focus on.
Fear of Failing
With pass rates around 60–70%, it's natural to worry. That worry can get loud fast.
Information Overload
The pace is quick, and it's hard to tell what matters most when everything feels important.
Evaluation Pressure
Radar and non-radar evals can rattle even well-prepared students. Nerves are normal.
Falling Behind
One rough problem can snowball. Knowing how to recover is a skill you can learn.
🎙️ Tune In to the Side by Side ATC Podcast
Honest conversations about Academy life, study habits, radar and non-radar training, handling stress, and what this career really looks like once you're in it.
Pick your favorite app and listen on your commute, at the gym, or between study sessions.
Structure Beats Overwhelm
Small improvements add up. Here's where to find the guidance that helps you make them.
🎙️ The Podcast
Over 15 months of episodes and 6,000+ downloads. Real stories and practical lessons for every stage of the ATC path.
📝 The Blog
Articles you can come back to: study strategies, map training tips, eval prep, and how to recover when a day goes sideways.
🧰 Free Resources
- 90-Day Academy Success Blueprint
- 72-Hour Radar Recovery Plan
- Non-Radar Map Training Video
- Practice Accountability Trackers
What Listeners and Students Say
"Hearing someone who actually worked the boards talk through this stuff calmed me down. I stopped guessing and started studying with a plan."
— Podcast Listener
"I was falling behind in radar and didn't know how to fix it. Tom helped me see what to focus on, and my next run felt completely different."
— FAA Academy Student
"The blog posts on non-radar prep were exactly what I needed before I reported. I walked in knowing what to expect."
— Pre-Academy Student
Pick a Starting Point. I'll Be Right Here.
Put on an episode, read an article, or look around the site. Wherever you are in your training, preparation is what builds confidence.
You've got this. Let's work through it — side by side.