MY FIRST INTERVIEW FOR ENTERING AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE WORLD

In this post, I will share about my experience for my first interview for entering this course. My main target of this post is for anyone has interest to join this course in anywhere and who want to pass through the interview. This post maybe will have some long so be patient to see it completely. I will tell my interview story from A to Z and share some tips with it. So, let us start... NOW.

Before The Interview

You guys and girls as locals should know the procedure of apply public institution, right? So, I will not talk details about applying UPU online. About two week before the interview's date, I get the letter to ask me go to interview for this course at POLIMAS which located at KEDAH state of Malaysia. So, until here, you guys and girls where I come from, right?

Next, I share about the venue for interview during my time for your knowledge. During two years ago, all of us had been interviewed in different place. Now, I am not sure are they doing it in the same place. I will share the venue in the below.

NORTHERN MALAYSIA

MIDDLE MALAYSIA

SOUTHERN MALAYSIA

SARAWAK REGION

THESE INTERVIEW VENUE DURING MY TIME. FOR THE EAST MALAYSIA SIDE, I AM NOT VERY SURE AS MY CLASSMATES ALL FROM PENINSULAR MALAYSIA. FOR THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, YOU GUYS AND GIRLS ALSO CAN APPLY FOR THE DIPLOMA AND DEGREE COURSES IN A FEW POLYTECHNIC.

During The Interview

I go the venue just on time during that time as I remembered. After go through registration procedure, all of the candidates were taking pre-test in the hall. I still remember that test paper was about SPM level Mathematics. Guys and girls, you all need to prepare well in Mathematics and Physics as they are fundamental of this course.

After the test, we all gathered in the library for the interview session. During that scene, I managed to meet with my future classmates, Mahsyar, Elroy and Syeh. I want to say lucky or not, I entered the room with Mahsyar and another girl that we will not met again until right now. My interview group met the lecturers which were quite serious expression. They asked us about to introduce ourself (this is of course need to do in any interview), tell about ambitious toward future, ask about technical terms for the aircraft and how we should get this Aircraft Maintenance course which offered by government. I am still remember what reason I give to that lecturer until right now I can write a post about this event to you guys and girls.

After The Interview

In the beginning, I got the offer letter for programming course in Polytehcnic Balik Pulau, Penang state of Malaysia (My second choice for study was IT related course). I thought I lost my chance to this course. The situation continued to a few days later, I got the phone call form Jabatan Pendidikan Politeknik, one of the division of the Ministry of High Education, Malaysia.

These were my interview experience.

My Advice To The Interview Candidates

At there, I give my personal advice to all of you which may help you guys and girls in interview.

1. Please be prepare yourself in physical and mental before the interview.
2. Please be punctual on time when you are joining the interview.
3. You should be dress in formal and properly during the interview.
4. Try to get the good first impression from the interviewer.
5. You all should be have self-confidence in whatever event.
6. Try to act politely with the interviewer.
7. Try to gain their interest to you when interview.
8. You show the altitude that you really interested in the interview.

In the conclusion, maybe someone will give the comment that these are just nothing but I can said that if you maintain the advice I gave, I am sure that you can be success in any interview as these are the most basic thing to follow. THANK YOU.

MY FINAL YEAR PROJECT SURVEY

Start from this Friday (25/11), I will enter my semester 4 for Diploma course. It also mean that the time for me to graduate from my course still left one more year. As you all know, before we graduated from our studies, we need to do a project as a criteria to complete our studies. So, am I with my situation. Right now, truly I say that I haven't got any ideas yet for my final year project. That is why I make a survey for my final year project. Beside, I hope my final year project really bring beneficial to the all the people whether public or Aviation Industry. I personal sincerely ask for your cooperation in complete my survey. YOUR IDEAS/SUGGESTIONS CAN BE MY PROJECT INSPIRATION. THANK YOU.
( Section 1 is for all either you are public or industry, Section 2 is for Aviation Industry which these two section I can receive ideas/suggestion from both side. )



FOR COMPLETE THE SURVEY, PLEASE CLICK ON THE BELOW:

My Final Year Project Survey

What Motivates an Air Traffic Controller?

What Motivates an Air Traffic Controller?

On 01.18.11, In Human Factors, by Wayne Farley

Air traffic controlling is rumored to be one of the most stressful jobs on the planet. In many countries, the rewards are not encouraging. Remaining focus on the job is like walking a tightrope. But yet thousands of men and women signup for the job and stay committed to it for years. What is it that brings them to work each day?

What is it that motivate air traffic controllers to work each day? It’s a question that I’ve found myself asking pretty often, even more so that I’m pretty close to the end of my career as a practicing controller.  The factors may be wide and varied, but I”ll jump right in and remove money as one them. I’ll probably work for free if I had an alternative means of supporting myself and family. While many controllers earn satisfactory wages, even more do not. Yet, they all have somethings is common: they all show for work, do a fantastic job, and then repeat the cycle on the next shift.

Here is a short list of some of the motivational factors I came up with:

Dynamic Environment

Like many professions, ATC operates in a dynamic environment. The separation standards, phraseology, navigation aids employed, and so on, remain the same, but the weather and the mixture of aircraft differ everyday. Throw in an emergency situation and the job gets even more exciting.

Wired in our DNA as humans, is adventure seeking, forever pushing back the boundaries of the unknown while the adrenaline is flowing. This probably explains why we show up for work. We never know what really lies ahead on any shift, but we are well prepared and anxious to handle it. The reality of what we do differ by the second and sometimes we just cant get enough of it. We would simply get bored if there is no excitement.

Sense of Accomplishment

Many days I’ve left the control tower feeling a sense of purpose, that my existence on Earth is justified. Safely navigating hundreds of aircraft and their occupants into and out of airports pretty much give you a “high”. Yes, ATC employs the use of some of the best tools that money can buy, but their is still the need for humans. The lives of countless passengers are literally in the hands of air traffic controllers everyday, and it’s more than a sense of accomplishment when you have contributed to their safe transit.

Instant Results

Whether instant or slightly delayed, air traffic controllers are obliged the opportunity to plan, issue instructions and see the results instantly. Unlike many professions where you have to wait to see the fruits of your labor, air traffic controllers get to see the their results instantly. The entire process of planning, issuing instructions and getting back results in a very small window of time is one of those driving factors in the lives of controllers. In essence, a controller’s job is a perpetual series of conflict resolutions which yields instant results.

Feeling of Belonging

Have you, as an air traffic controller, ever been asked by a stranger what you do for a living? Whatever direction the conversations was heading, the answer usually takes it on a different path. A combination or respect, admiration and a few more questions ensues. Humans crave belonging, and air traffic controllers are no different. They are motivated by the level of respect and admiration that is hurled at them by people who seem to put them in some kind of elite class. Announcing that you are an air traffic controller is definitely a game changer.

The Perks

I’m not sure how effective this factor is now, but I certainly enjoyed the days when controllers were obliged the privilege of riding in the cockpits. FREE or rebated airline tickets are usually enough keep air traffic controllers motivated in the land that I came from.  September 11th certainly put a damper on that aspect of things, but there are still a few perks lying around that controllers enjoy.

Your Turn:

I’d love to hear what keep you going back to the tower, approach office or area control centre like if it’s your first day on the job.

Credit: WayneFarleyAviation.com

Air Traffic Controllers' Salaries

Air Traffic Controllers' Salaries

On 08.12.10, In General, by Wayne Farley

Government officials in Spain are calling Spanish air traffic controllers’ salaries ‘millionaire salaries’ as they announced plans to cut cost in that sector. Usually, air traffic controllers, salaries and millionaire are not bundled together in the same sentence.

Government officials in Spain are calling Spanish air traffic controllers’ salaries ‘millionaire salaries’ as they announced plans to cut the cost of its loss-making state-operated Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea (AENA). Usually, air traffic controllers, salaries and millionaire are not bundled together in the same sentence so I had to investigate.

It was revealed that some Spanish air traffic controllers were earning as much as 10 times more than the Prime Minister and 50 times the average Spanish worker salary. Spain’s Prime Minister receives an annual salary of around 92,000 euros, while the average worker earns less than 18,000 euros per year. Here’s what an audit of the controllers’ salaries in 2009 revealed:

• 10 earned between 810,000 and 900,000 euros,
• 226 earned between 450,000 and 540,000 euros,
• 701 earned between 270,000 and 360,000 euros, and
• the average basic salary is 200,000 euros but most double or triple this amount by working overtime.

These Spanish controllers are perhaps the poster boys and girls of this profession. Air traffic controllers everywhere dream of this sort of wages. Personally, I am happy to know that somebody somewhere has acknowledged the worth of air traffic controllers and was prepared to reward them accordingly.

Moving on, it should be noted here that air traffic controlling is perhaps the most stressful job on Earth, earning the title for the snap decisions that are constantly being made to ensure safety in the busy skies above us. We do not have the luxury of second guessing our decisions, and instructions given to pilots must be correct 100 percent of the times. Anything short of this could result in deadly consequences.

So what do the Spanish controllers give in return for their wages? Controllers work 12-hour days made up of two four-hour shifts and two, two-hour rest periods. According to the Spanish government, most do an average of 1,200 hours with 400 hours overtime a year. They must have a degree, speak good English and pass a medical examination. Pretty routine stuff, however, I think the daily hours are way too long, and can give way to fatigue.

By comparison, British air traffic controllers are paid £60,000 to £90,000, U.S. controllers make $90 to $160,000, and the French controllers take home €110,000. That said, I am too ashamed to say what controllers in this part of the world take home.

What salary would be enough to keep you quiet in your profession? Controllers and non-controllers can weigh in here.

Credit: WayneFarleyAviation.com/

13 Characteristics of an Air Traffic Controller

13 Characteristics of an Air Traffic Controller

On 09.07.10, In Human Factors, by Wayne Farley

Air traffic controllers are super humans. Well, almost. Akin to the stripes on a tiger, here are a handful of characteristics that air traffic controllers must possess in order to keep aircraft safe in the skies.

Air traffic controllers are super humans. Well, almost. How else are these professionals able to maintain safety and order in the increasingly busy skies above us? Sure enough, there are tools to help get the job done, but the human element is an important piece of the puzzle and cannot be ignored. Here are a handful of characteristics that air traffic controllers must possess [like the stripes on a tiger] in order to succeed at what they do:

1. Spatial awareness – the ability to mentally build a three dimensional picture of where each aircraft is relative to the others and to foresee any potential conflicts is one of many characteristics an air traffic controller must possess.
2. Simultaneous capacity – multitasking ranks in the top tier of characteristics that air traffic controllers must possess. Reading instruments, transmitting or receiving and writing simultaneously are just part of the routine of controllers on duty. [Can you rub your tummy and pat your head?]
3. Excellent memory – the task of controlling aircraft requires air traffic controllers to remember both distant and recent events, even thought these may be aided by memory joggers. The multiplicity of air traffic control tasks competing for attention can easily interfere with one’s ability to remember. [Controllers are the elephants of the human race]
4. Respect for authority and the rules – aviation is a highly regulated industry, which requires adherence to maintain safety. Regulations are the products of many years of industry experience and conventional wisdom and are undoubtedly superior to any single person’s judgment. Having respect for these will be a controller’s greatest asset. [I can almost hear someone saying “that” is a stupid rule]
5. Making decisions under pressure – air traffic controllers must think faster than an aircraft can fly if they are to keep safety in the air. Decisions cannot be postponed when working live traffic traveling at speeds as much as 8 miles a minute. Every wasted minute brings conflicting aircraft dangerously close to one another.
6. Exercising effective personal authority – the word “control” can only have meaning if air traffic controllers exercise their authority effectively. Being resolute earns a controller respect and gives pilots confidence in his/her ability. [This is not an excuse to exclaim “shut up”]
7. Paying attention to details – “never assume, determine” is a phrase that air traffic controllers have repeatedly heard, and is synonymous with getting the details right. Like making quick decisions, the lack or wrong assumption of some detail can lead to dire consequences.
8. Visual-motor coordination – try playing a video game without this ability… the result will be a resounding defeat. Controlling air traffic is like a complex video game, except that real lives and millions of dollars worth of aircraft are involved. Radar controllers and aerodrome controllers particularly must rely of visual-motor coordination for observing traffic and issuing instructions accordingly.
9. Teamwork skills – a chain is as strong as its weakest link. That said, air traffic controllers must work together like the proverbial chain to maintain the safe and orderly flow of traffic. One blunder in the order can replicate itself throughout the chain. The defense mechanism in place, however, is often sufficient to stymie the development of any problems.
10. Tolerance to frustration – this is easier said than done, but controllers cannot allow extraneous issues to interfere with their performance. When a controller enters an ATC unit, he must check all annoyances at the door if he is to carry out the exacting tasks ahead on his watch.
11. Emotional stability – emotions almost always clouds one’s judgment, and air traffic controllers must keep these at bay. Like frustrations, emotions must be checked at the door.
12. Willingness to accept criticism – an observer on the outside looking in is likely to be at an advantage, and criticism of from him/her should be accepted. It is likely that controllers can achieve the same objective using different methods, so it is wise to accept other points of view. [hmmm…controllers are gods unto themselves]
13. Resistance to boredom – boredom leads to complacency. [no more explanation needed here]

The list of characteristics is by no means exhaustive, so tell me what are some other characteristics that an air traffic controller must possess.

Credit: WayneFarleyAviation.com

How to prepare for a career in air traffic control

How to prepare for a career in air traffic control

On 03.01.16, In General, by Wayne Farley

Want to be an air traffic controller? Here is a list of recommended reading material for candidates worldwide who want to make ATC a career.

Over the years, I have been asked by candidates for the ATC career worldwide for advice on how to prepare for the profession. Conventional wisdom suggests that knowledge is power, so my advice would simply be to read as much aviation related materials that you can access.

At the time that I joined the ATC profession, there were not many resources available and access to the internet was not as common as it is today. That said, potential candidates for the ATC profession today literally have power at the fingertips.

To get started, here are a few things that I recommend you learn about while you wait to begin your ATC journey:

1. Aircraft – like the words sheep and furniture, aircraft is both singular and plural. I may be prepared to give people who are not a part of the aviation fraternity a break if they say aircrafts. It is however annoying to hear it coming from the mouth of someone that is already in the aviation profession. While we are on the subject, learn about the classification of aircraft. Aircraft classification is contained in ICAO Annex 7: Aircraft Nationality and Registration Marks.
2. ICAO – the International Civil Aviation Organization is the world’s governing body for all civil aviation matters. It is important to learn the history and workings of this body. Countries that are members of ICAO are referred to as contracting states and aviation legislation, regulations and procedure manuals are largely based upon ICAO’sstandards and recommended practices (SARPS).
3. Phonetic alphabet – the words that are used in voice communication to enunciate each letter of the alphabet. For example, an aircraft with registration XA-BCD would be referred to in voice communications as xray alpha bravo charlie delta. The alphabet is contained in ICAO Annex 10, Volume II, Chapter 5.
4. 4-letter airport indicators – ICAO has developed a uniform standard for identifying airports around the world. These indicators are based on the geographical location. In the USA, for example, all airports that have been assigned a location indicator begin with the letter K. John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York is therefore KJFK. It would be helpful to learn the indicators for the airports in your country and those international location indicators that aircraft operate into from your country. The document that these are contained in is titled Location Indicators, Doc. 7910.
5. Aircraft type designators – similar to the location indicators, ICAO has developed a uniform standard for identifying aircraft. These designators have a maximum of four alpha-numeric characters. The designator for a Boeing 737-800 aircraft is B738 and a Citation X is C750. It would be helpful to learn the designators for those aircraft that are common in your jurisdiction. The document that these are contained in is titled Aircraft Type Designators, Doc. 8643.
6. Abbreviations and codes – the abbreviations and codes that are used in aviation are contained in ICAO Doc. 8400. The abbreviations and codes contained therin are for worldwide use in the international aeronautical telecommunication service and in aeronautical information documents, as well as uniform abbreviated phraseology for use in pre-flight information bulletins and ATS data link communications.
7. Phraseology – there are some basic words and phrases that are used in voice communications that are important to learn. One such word is Roger which means “I have received all of your last transmission.” This list is contained in ICAO Annex 10, Volume II, Chapter 5.
8. Navigation aids – there are a number of navigation aids including VOR, ILS, GNSS, RADAR, and ADS-B. It would be useful to learn how these work and together with any other kind of navigational aids that are in use in your country.
9. Theory of flight – if you are to control aircraft, it is essential to learn how flight is sustained. What are the four forces acting on an airfoil? This is just one of many questions that will be answered when you read up on the subject.
10. Air accident investigations – there are many YouTube videos that you can watch to give you the awareness of the chain of actions that can lead to an incident or accident. Amongst the things that you will gain an insight into are how be behave as humans (Human Factors) and how to mitigate risks.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it offers you a fair idea of the journey that you are about to embark upon. If you find any interesting other stuff during your research, please feel free to share.

Credit: WayneFarleyAviation.com