ATC placement

[Matt Colan]

As some of you may know, for the past three months I have been going through training at the FAA academy to become an air traffic controller.  Today I got my list for facilities I will be able to choose from next week once I pass my evals.  The way placement works is there are two available places per student to pick from, so that gives a total of 34 facilities to choose from.  As each student fails their evals, their available spots go away from the bottom of the list up.  For example if 10 students pass in my class, there will be 20 slots to pick from.  The FAA provides a locality pay for each spot to account for cost of living.  Burbank California has a nearly 30% locality pay because it is so expensive to live there.

My first choice out of this list is Addison, Texas, but I would need 13 out of 17 of my fellow classmates to pass.  The problem is the average pass rate is 50%, so rather than hope for a miracle, we're looking elsewhere to pick from.

The available places are:

Nantucket, Massachusetts
Burbank, California
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Huntington, West Virginia
Bangor, Maine
Roanoke, Virginia
Reno, Nevada
Prescott, Arizona
Longview, Texas
Reading, Pennslvania
Duluth, Minnesota
Huntsville, Alabama
Lafayette, Louisiana
Rochester, New York
New Castle, Delaware
Bangor, Maine
Middletown, Pennsylvania
Addison, Texas
Syracuse, New York

If anybody would be able to provide some insight on some of these places and surrounding areas, that would be great! (Places to fly, good areas to live in, stuff like that) Thanks in advance guys!! 

[Paul Walker]

Reno is at 5000 ft elevation. Maybe not the best place to practice stunt.

[Paul Walker]

Prescot Az is at 5300 ft.

[Paul Walker]

Hey, you are from up north. Bangor would be like home to you!

[Paul Walker]

Burbank will allow you to fly at two different sites: Sepulveda basin and Whittier Narrows. Not too bad for stunt.  Unfortunately expensive to live there.

[Paul Walker]

Crist Rigotti used to live/work in Cedar Rapids. He was able to fly there. Try asking him about that area.

[Paul Walker]

Places like Longview might be cheap enough you could buy your own property to fly on!

[Paul Walker]

Oh, btw, good luck where ever you end up!

[James Holford]

Lafayette,La isnt a bad place... average rent cost depending where ya wanna live ranges 600-1500.

My shop is 1/4 mile from airport... west to East approach flies right over us 200~ft above.

 Flying fields in Lafayette.... isnt any unless you fly RC.. but we do have a C/L club an hour away by Baton Rouge.

Most importantly... the food!!!!!

Ive been living here 5 years and love it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

[Peter Nevai]

Syracuse, Rochester, Bangor,.... Nantucket is very nice......IN THE SUMMER! ....... well if you want to freeze your butt off and be knee deep in snow, Middletown not much better. Delaware can be more expensive than Burbank besides the traffic in the Baltimore, DC metro areas is a nightmare. Huntsville is a cool town and should not be expensive. Quite a few interesting aerospace manufacturers and high tech businesses up there. And not to mention the home of Space Camp, and some NASA facilities. Of course there is RENO but that is pretty high on the list. Remember you do not have to actually live in Burbank, just like most people do not actually live in San Francisco. Can't speak of any of the other areas. IMHO Huntsville is a good reasonable pick.

[Howard Rush]

Don't put your tongue on the flagpole in Duluth.

[Peter Nevai]

 

Don't put your tongue on the flagpole in Duluth.

 

[Paul Walker]

Don't put your tongue on the flagpole in Duluth.

I triple dare you!!!!

Forget the double dog dare you..

[Peter Nevai]

Hi Matt. Huntsville, Alabama is an inexpensive place to live, is growing. Great airport. New tower, and we have an 19 person model airplane club here that flys CLPA mainly. We are close to 8 contests, ave time 8 hours or less. Paducah, El Dorado, Baton Rouge, King Orange, Huntersville, Brodak's, Northern Georgia, etc.  A three circle dedicated flying site.   Alt above  MSL, 1,735.  Winters are very mild. Retired military and Federal employees pay no state income tax. Gas averages 2.11/gal. 4 colleges and more PHD's than any city in the USA. NASA has a rocket test facility, Marshall Space Flight Center, Rocket and Space Museum.

Well worth a serious look.  I will give a personal tour if you can get over here for a day or two.  Ty M. AMA 3429. 

 

[jim ballard]

Matt, I used to turn a wrench at the Addison airport back in the early 80's. Haven't been back there in a long time so can't really give a report on housing, cost of living, ect. But there is a great bunch of guys and gals (DMAA) that fly at Hobby Park (Garland) which is a great facility. I know your not counting on your first choice but don't give up hope!

[Steve Helmick]

Huntsville or Prescott would be ok, if Addison doesn't work out for you. I'm not into Alligators or more snakes that we got here.  Steve

[dave siegler]

So I would not think too log term here.  You will probably not be at the same tower after 5 years.

Look for some place that is fun, and you have a chance to be successful.  sometimes smaller is better. ]

With towers closing, and becoming automated, this is tough. 

Ceder Rapids is nice, people are nice, cheap to live but there is nothing to do there.

Duluth the same except way too cold and way too many mosquitoes the rest of the year. 

[big ron]

Laffayette you can fly year round alligators and snakes aren’t that bad and they taste good.

[Jim Hoffman]

Prescott is about 1.5 – 2 hours from Phoenix.  It’s a nice place and would give you an opportunity to visit the many natural wonders in the southwest.  Arizona and southern Utah have some sites with incredible beauty (Grand Canyon, Brice, Zion, and Moab to scratch the surface).

At 5300 ft., Prescott has mild winters, and warm summers compared to Bangor Maine.  My pal Dave Riggs lives there and tells me there is no CL flying sites in Prescott.  He drives to Phoenix often and flies with me.

Arizona has a CL community in Phoenix and Tucson.  It’s close enough to LA to permit one to attend the contests there as well.

Jim Hoffman

[Perry Rose]

I agree with Jamie and Big Ron. We have several sites to fly on. I fly at a park 10 miles east of Baton Rouge almost daily. Several hard core stunt flyers too.

[Avaiojet]

I would avoid any 'blue' state to pick up roots in or to make an investment in. Period!

Reno Nevada would be my first choice. Arizona would be my second choice.

And yes, I've done some piloting in both states years ago. Things change however airport runways are always a straight line. 

Not an easy job BTW.

Good luck to you.

CB

[James Holford]

Laffayette you can fly year round alligators and snakes aren�t that bad and they taste good.

He aint lyin!!! 

Year round flying even if its 40 degrees. Snows once every 1000 years here.

Did i mention the food?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

[Target]

Burbank will give you year round flying weather. But the traffic is gnarly, dude!
And there are beaches and mountains within a couple hours drive (in traffic).
As PW mentioned, Burbank is nearest Sepulveda Basin. And a bit further is Whittier Narrows.
Good luck!

[Perry Rose]

In the final tally pick the location that gives you the best chance of advancement and working conditions. This is about your future.

[Jim Mynes]

If I had to pick from that list I’d try for Roanoke, VA.
Dead center of the eastern seaboard. Brodak, Huntersville, Joe Nall, KOI, and many other contests all within a day’s drive.
There was a crew at Huntersville, fall of ‘16, that are from that general area. One of them was from Smith Mountain Lake. Active CL guys.

[Dan Berry]

Laffayette you can fly year round alligators and snakes aren’t that bad and they taste good.

There is a good core of flying buddies there.
It won't snow often.
The food is without equal.
There are several local breweries.

None of the other places cam offer all of those things.

[Fredvon4]

Make the choice based on expected income, what you can find out about the work shifts and environment at chosen tower

I have had military ATC friends for decades and each can tell stories of their favorite tower and their worst....most times the worst gripping was about how some seniority system and autocrat supervisor just made the job miserable by call ins, double shifts, and never getting off some undesirable shift

You must research about schools, property, crime, commuting, taxes...both state, property....some states or counties have a serious cost of living impact depending where you live

Example Texas has no state income tax, and in my county property tax is real reasonable but school tax is high because of Robin Hood laws...one country east of me has a community college... so those citizens get hit for property, then local school and also taxes for the college

So if interested in BUYING property  it makes a significant difference if that beautiful 10 acres and house for $145,000 and Lampasas Taxes vs the same similar property one county east for $213,000 but significantly higher taxes....including the one for the college

I mentioned crime above... My county has only 12 or so murders in last 30 years...the next county east has almost that many a month and a LOT of gang activity, home invasions etc....

[Randy Cuberly]

My Brother Rick also lives in Prescott and I visit there often.  As Jim Hoffman said there is really no place to fly CL there but that may change soon.  Prescott Valley is a rapidly growing community and a lot (I mean  Lot of building etc. is going on there.  It's a very beautiful place to live and in spite of being in Northern AZ has mild winters.  Housing isn't terribly expensive and is readily available.
I strongly suspect with some effort a decent flying site could be found there!  For what it's worth (don't know if you're interested) hunting and fishing is great in that area.
 As Jim said it's 1.5 hours to Phoenix and 2.5 hours to Tucson.  If you go north it's about 2.5 hours to a Ski area and the Grand Canyon.
There are at least two contests per year in Phoenix and 3 per year in Tucson.  Of course the LA area has several contests and it's about a half days drive!   David Riggs is a great guy as is my brother Rick Kucharyson and I feel sure the three of you could make something happen there in the way of a flying site!
 
Randy Cuberly

[Larry Fernandez]

I triple dare you!!!!

Forget the double dog dare you..

Paul created a slight breech of etiquette, by skipping the double dog dare and going right for the throat!

Larry, Buttafucco Stunt Team

[John Rist]

Hi Matt. Huntsville, Alabama is an inexpensive place to live, is growing. Great airport. New tower, and we have an 19 person model airplane club here that flys CLPA mainly. We are close to 8 contests, ave time 8 hours or less. Paducah, El Dorado, Baton Rouge, King Orange, Huntersville, Brodak's, Northern Georgia, etc.  A three circle dedicated flying site.   Alt above  MSL, 1,735.  Winters are very mild. Retired military and Federal employees pay no state income tax. Gas averages 2.11/gal. 4 colleges and more PHD's than any city in the USA. NASA has a rocket test facility, Marshall Space Flight Center, Rocket and Space Museum.

Well worth a serious look.  I will give a personal tour if you can get over here for a day or two.  Ty M. AMA 3429. 

I second all that TY says above.  I have been in Huntsville Alabama since 1953.  I am now retired.   In all those years since 1953 I have gotten an education, always had a job,  never missed a meal, and was always able to pay my bills.  Huntsville Alabama has been good to the Rist family.  I would also like to mention we have a great hobby shop.   One of the largest in the SE.  A little light on control line stuff but will order anything Tower has at Tower prices.  Also we are just north of Tom Morris' home and shop.  He has in stock and or will build anything you could ever want.  But the main point is Huntsville has the charm of a small city and the excitement of a large city.  Ty's offer of a guided tour is solid.  Come to town and we will go flying for sure.  We will even supply the airplane!!! John Rist AMA 56277          

PS club dues are $15 a year giving you access to fully pave flying sight in the middle of the city.  Doesn't get any better!

PSS There is housing available a stone throw from the airport.   Easy drive for you to work.

[Bob Whitely]

I was a controller for  30+ years.  Navy then LAX 'til I retired in '93.  What everyone said is okay but none mentioned
the pay. If you want to make the money you go to the big towers or approach controls. I was an approach controller
and not a center puke.  Little places are easy and boring, big places are fun and challenging. Might as well be a Top Gun
controller than a little VFR tower worker.  Hope you get what you want. I know I had a great time and would do it again!
RJ  SATCS

[Steve Fitton]

If I had to pick from that list I’d try for Roanoke, VA.
Dead center of the eastern seaboard. Brodak, Huntersville, Joe Nall, KOI, and many other contests all within a day’s drive.
There was a crew at Huntersville, fall of ‘16, that are from that general area. One of them was from Smith Mountain Lake. Active CL guys.

Yikes!  There isn't a flat piece of ground anywhere in Roanoke except the airport itself!  Then the wind howling down the Valley.....

[Tim Wescott]

Sean, I can't remember if you have a family yet, but if you're single consider Burbank and the cheapest (read: crappiest) place to live that you can find.  That'll give you more leftover pennies to save as you plan to move someplace better, later.  If you have a family then someplace with a high cost of living may be a money sink.

I'm with Bob W. on the ambition thing: from your posts about your former job, you've got what it takes to be at the top of the game.  Be ambitious now while you have the energy -- it's harder to climb the ladder when you have arthritic knees!

[Matt Colan]

Thanks for all the input guys! Today was my last day of scenarios, and my brain is fried from working and learning how to separate air traffic. It's a ton of fun and I've enjoyed every minute of training. Eventually I want to work my way up to a busy facility and making some more money. What appeals to me a lot about Addison, even though it's a smaller, less busy airport, its right near DAL and DFW so I could theoretically not have to move and work my way up to busier towers.

Wherever we go, my girlfriend is going to be coming with me. She's never lived outside of Oklahoma so moving away is a very big deal for her. We're looking at Longview and Addison as our top choices. Longview is a combined tower and approach control, with a very cheap cost of living. She wants to go back to school for nursing and the Longview area has a couple schools that offer nursing programs. Addison is in the immediate Dallas area, which we both really like, just a tower without an approach control.

This weekend I will do some research on the Huntsville and Lafayette areas! I need to keep my options open depending on my class ranking and where I fall in line to pick from what's available. I'll be busting my butt next week trying my hardest to graduate top of my class.

[John Rist]

Thanks for all the input guys! Today was my last day of scenarios, and my brain is fried from working and learning how to separate air traffic. It's a ton of fun and I've enjoyed every minute of training. Eventually I want to work my way up to a busy facility and making some more money. What appeals to me a lot about Addison, even though it's a smaller, less busy airport, its right near DAL and DFW so I could theoretically not have to move and work my way up to busier towers.

Wherever we go, my girlfriend is going to be coming with me. She's never lived outside of Oklahoma so moving away is a very big deal for her. We're looking at Longview and Addison as our top choices. Longview is a combined tower and approach control, with a very cheap cost of living. She wants to go back to school for nursing and the Longview area has a couple schools that offer nursing programs. Addison is in the immediate Dallas area, which we both really like, just a tower without an approach control.

This weekend I will do some research on the Huntsville and Lafayette areas! I need to keep my options open depending on my class ranking and where I fall in line to pick from what's available. I'll be busting my butt next week trying my hardest to graduate top of my class.

Huntsville Alabama has one of the top nursing schools in the nation.  https://www.uah.edu/nursing  Also it is a given that she can find a job in Huntsville