I am sure that has been on everyone's minds. Ok, maybe not exactly but I know I haven't been around much and I want to let everyone know what is going on here at atoleadingedge.

First, I took some much needed time off at the holidays and I highly recommend it to anyone considering a vacation. It will cure what ails you!

Read more »

I was recently talking to the FAA Academy students about NextGen and some of the new technologies that will be coming in the years ahead. The students asked me some great questions. In fact – some of their questions were so good, that I did not have the answers for them.
Someone asked me about SWIM and what it stands for. That’s easy, SWIM stands for System Wide Information Management, but what is SWIM and what will it do for me or you. So I reached out to some of my peers and gathered some additional details on SWIM. This is what I found out.

Read more »

Until Christmas, we will feature a new Academy Life video every day!

If you cannot view the player above, click here to view and download the videos.

FAA Academy: Tips for Successful Studying, part I

Direct Youtube Link
View/Download WMV

Almost 23 years ago exactly, I was headed to the Academy in Oklahoma City as a newly hired controller trainee. My, how time flies. Recently, the atoleadingedge.com team had the chance to visit with a group of new hires and check-in on what life as a student at today’s Academy is like. It was interesting to hear how much has changed over the years. However, a lot remains as it was in the winter of 1987. Good friends. Lots of studying. Surrounded by people trying to do their best. An amazing environment if you stop to think about it.

FAA Academy: Things to Do in OKC, part I

Direct Youtube Link
View/Download WMV

While in OKC, we took the opportunity to ask our current generation of new employees what life is like. Those thoughts were captured in a new video series we call Academy Life Preview. Over the next couple of weeks, we will be rolling out small videos focused on things like study habits and what to do in OKC. We hope those nearing retirement like me can reflect back to our beginnings and if there is someone driving by considering a career with the FAA maybe they can have a glimpse of what Academy life is like.

FAA Academy: Tips for Finding Housing, part I

Direct Youtube Link
View/Download WMV

The new hire employees, both technicians and controllers, are looking ahead to a career that is exciting, challenging, and very rewarding. As current employees, many of us nearing retirement, it is my hope that we leave them a legacy of service and performance. We should realize how important it is to connect our new employees with information and resources that will help ease their transition to the FAA and be successful in their careers from day one. In the near future we'll also be launching a Facility Life Preview series similar to the Academy Life one. We're especially looking for volunteers to help out with new videos. To find out how you can be a part of this new initiative and share previews of life at the Academy or your facility, email Marilee Nauman.

Happy Holidays to all and best wishes for the New Year.

Last week, I was in Oklahoma City visiting the FAA Academy. I met several ATO managers who hosted this month’s Meet and Greet event. For those who don’t know, Meet and Greets are organized by the ATO to connect academy students with managers from the field. They are meant to provide the information and resources to our newest employees, as they prepare to transition to their facilities. As always, last week’s Meet and Greet was a big hit, connecting 10 managers with over a 100 academy students. The managers sat down with the students to talk about their career paths and experiences with the agency and answer questions about life in the field.

This time around, we were also shooting some footage for a new “Academy Life Preview” series. We reached out to students, asking them to share their study tips, talk about places to visit and things to do while in OKC. The response was overwhelming; over 30 students spoke on tape. They had advice on best places to live, shared tips for test prep, and talked about their upcoming PVs. Many mentioned the strong support they receive from the academy staff and instructors. Everyone was grateful for the personal touch at the Meet and Greet, thanking the managers for the open and honest discussion and appreciating information about life in the field.

Read more »