The First Week Over

So here I am on Friday at the other end of the first week. I am wiser about things than Monday, which is good.

The course I am on is not to be mistaken for an educational course, as it is not. It is a professional qualification and, unlike university where a large content of a module could be forgotten and the detail didn't matter, the Basic Course for TATCs (Trainee Air Traffic Controllers or "tat - sees") is a base on which we build. It's no joke...

The first week and subsequent weeks cover Law and Human Factors. I am required to know to a working knowledge a document called: "Air Navigation: the Order and Regulations" or the "ANO" or the Civil Aviation Publication 393. For instance I must know that to launch a small rocket whose motor exceeds 160 Newton Seconds one must contact the relevant department of the CAA to ensure the airspace will remain clear of obstructions etc etc under Section 1 Part 8 Page 4 Article 99. I also need to know that a large rocket is one whose total motor impulse exceeds 10, 240 Newton-Seconds as defined in Paragraph 155.

The Human Factors lessons which are more interesting tie in very well with this as it covers such things as why we make errors: I SPEW MEW: (Interruption Stress-Pressure-Equipment-Workload Memory-Expectation-Wordchoice) which account for 90% of all incidents in the UK. The majority of the lessons are case studies of fatal accidents caused by ATCO error. So it's serious stuff this. Still it's very interesting and I get to talk about my favourite subject all day and night!

It's been warm this week! Thankfully the college has all mod-cons and is air conditioned. It has all manner of gadgetry the largest piece being the 360 degree view tower sim room with four 12' screens with pretend traffic and realistic insides. Basically they're a serious version of a computer game.

Apart from that I'm working on a proper photo album for my site still. The previous one not working. Watch this space....