Basic's Class Info That I Can Share

[mugenfan_98]

I just thought I would take some time to fill some of you folks in on what to expect when you start your basics classes. These classes are universal for enroute and terminal people.

When your welcome letter says come at least 30 minutes early they aren't lying. The front gate gets backed up to the street and you need time to hit up the front security office and get parking passes (if you drove or plan to drive) and temp badges. Expect your first day to be nothing but presentations from everything about EOE, racism, inappropriate behavior, FAA based Credit union. Basically a lot of "them talking, you listening". You get sworn in as Federal employees, which, despite the negative stigma, was a very proud moment for myself. You also learn that day that you will not get your first per diem check until up to 2 weeks later on top of having to wait until day fifteen to turn in said per diem paperwork.

On your second day, DONT BE LATE. The gate will still be backed up and if you get stuck out front, TS. I highly recommend taking the bus even if you drove for two reasons: It saves on gas and If it's late so are 12 or so other people so it's not your fault. Kind of a nice insurance policy.

As far as actual class schedules, expect a break (10-15 min) every hour, as well as a forty minute lunch. There is a small cafeteria in the basics building called "Ted's". It has cheese burgers, hot dogs, nachos, salads, etc, etc. Cash only in this one. There is a larger cafeteria across from the basics building in the HQ building. More choices and more busy. They take debit cards and credit cards.

The curriculum is chunked down very well. You learn in lessons (ATB 1, ATB 2 and so on and so forth). At the end of each lesson you take a test between 8 and 20 questions long. It does not count for or against you. It is simply a review. You get to keep the answers as well as your scan-tron sheets with your score and any possible corrections you needed. At the end of a few lessons you take a block test on all the lessons. You have to get a 90%. If you don't get a 90 you take it over. If you don't get it after a few times it gets filed away. After it's all said and done you will take a 100 question final. You must get a 70% to move on.

Things I would reccomend purchasing/bringing include a lanyard (for your badge) and a binder with at least one folder. We did not get a copy of our books instead we got a cd with everything in pdf form. If you have any questions I'll try to answer them.

I WILL NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING ACTUAL TEST CONTENT.

[gimpfest]

Hey Mugen, thanks for the info!

Where did you end up staying? Any feedback on places to live?

[highlander27]

Thanks for the tips Mugen... also I second gimpfest's question. How do the various apartments compare? Are any places located in really ghetto areas that should be stayed away from? I'm currently eyeing Citadel Suites and Walnut Gardens/Apple Tree/Spanish Gardens. Which do you like the most overall?

TIA!

[wve_iii]

Any chance at getting a copy of the CD?

[thesoonerkid]

Originally Posted by wve_iii

Any chance at getting a copy of the CD?

you will get it when you go through basics, but pm me an address and ill send you a copy

[BoomerSooner77]

What's on the tests?

Thanks for the info sir!

[Lalexf]

Originally Posted by mugenfan_98

I just thought I would take some time to fill some of you folks in on what to expect when you start your basics classes. These classes are universal for enroute and terminal people.

When your welcome letter says come at least 30 minutes early they aren't lying. The front gate gets backed up to the street and you need time to hit up the front security office and get parking passes (if you drove or plan to drive) and temp badges. Expect your first day to be nothing but presentations from everything about EOE, racism, inappropriate behavior, FAA based Credit union. Basically a lot of "them talking, you listening". You get sworn in as Federal employees, which, despite the negative stigma, was a very proud moment for myself. You also learn that day that you will not get your first per diem check until up to 2 weeks later on top of having to wait until day fifteen to turn in said per diem paperwork.

On your second day, DONT BE LATE. The gate will still be backed up and if you get stuck out front, TS. I highly recommend taking the bus even if you drove for two reasons: It saves on gas and If it's late so are 12 or so other people so it's not your fault. Kind of a nice insurance policy.

As far as actual class schedules, expect a break (10-15 min) every hour, as well as a forty minute lunch. There is a small cafeteria in the basics building called "Ted's". It has cheese burgers, hot dogs, nachos, salads, etc, etc. Cash only in this one. There is a larger cafeteria across from the basics building in the HQ building. More choices and more busy. They take debit cards and credit cards.

The curriculum is chunked down very well. You learn in lessons (ATB 1, ATB 2 and so on and so forth). At the end of each lesson you take a test between 8 and 20 questions long. It does not count for or against you. It is simply a review. You get to keep the answers as well as your scan-tron sheets with your score and any possible corrections you needed. At the end of a few lessons you take a block test on all the lessons. You have to get a 90%. If you don't get a 90 you take it over. If you don't get it after a few times it gets filed away. After it's all said and done you will take a 100 question final. You must get a 70% to move on.

Things I would reccomend purchasing/bringing include a lanyard (for your badge) and a binder with at least one folder. We did not get a copy of our books instead we got a cd with everything in pdf form. If you have any questions I'll try to answer them.

I WILL NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING ACTUAL TEST CONTENT.

Wow thanks for that!!!!! Best of luck to you and thanks for not forgetting us back here on JTC.

[chichi]

Thanks so much for posting that, mugenfan

Try to keep us updated as much as you can... most of you who have already made it to OKC end up leaving us

[BoomerSooner77]

Originally Posted by chichi

Thanks so much for posting that, mugenfan

Try to keep us updated as much as you can... most of you who have already made it to OKC end up leaving us

I've been considering doing a blog about it.

[Lalexf]

Originally Posted by BoomerSooner77

I've been considering doing a blog about it.

If you have the time that would be way cool!!!

[mugenfan_98]

Originally Posted by gimpfest

Hey Mugen, thanks for the info!

Where did you end up staying? Any feedback on places to live?

I am staying at apple tree. The staff here is really nice and very accommodating. They don't need anything up front. They just ask that you come in every 2-3 weeks and make a payment. I have a 1 bedroom and it costs me 39.50 per day. It's relatively nice consider what you pay for.

Other places I have heard of: I heard the places at The Fairways at Moore were really nice if you want to go golfing as it is included in your payment. It is newer than some of the other FAA housing. I heard also that the mansions west (I think thats what they are called) are really nice and pretty big when compared to someone that was staying a walnut gardens.

[BoomerSooner77]

Originally Posted by Lalexf

If you have the time that would be way cool!!!

Well, if I ever start that is... not in yet.

[Lalexf]

Originally Posted by BoomerSooner77

Well, if I ever start that is... not in yet.

Well that would be an important and helpful!!! ha ha ha

[chichi]

Originally Posted by BoomerSooner77

I've been considering doing a blog about it.

That's a really great idea... now we just have to get you to OKC

[thesoonerkid]

Originally Posted by BoomerSooner77

I've been considering doing a blog about it.

there isnt really much to blog about when in basics. its 25 working days long, excluding the first and last day all you do is go over the lesson plans.

[BoomerSooner77]

Originally Posted by thesoonerkid

there isnt really much to blog about when in basics. its 25 working days long, excluding the first and last day all you do is go over the lesson plans.

Thanks Debbie Downer.

[bushidomatt]

I am thinking of wiring up my apartment with cams so you guys can just ask me random questions and follow me around all the time when I am there sorry no bathoom cam though ya weirdos

[Shyu]

are you going to charge us for watching you sleep? lol

[Luftwaffe]

Originally Posted by mugenfan_98

We did not get a copy of our books instead we got a cd with everything in pdf form.

If you feel like wasting some money, you can order a copy here:
https://www.bkstr.com/webapp/wcs/sto...2610&demoKey=s

I didn't have a choice in CTI. Untill half way through the course when I already paid for it, I was able to download the cd for free and put it on my laptop. Which is much easier to carry around then the 4" binder.

mugenfan, how does it work now with out hard copies as far as the "activities" and ELT? Do they still hand those copies out still?

[mugenfan_98]

Originally Posted by Luftwaffe

If you feel like wasting some money, you can order a copy here:
https://www.bkstr.com/webapp/wcs/sto...2610&demoKey=s

I didn't have a choice in CTI. Untill half way through the course when I already paid for it, I was able to download the cd for free and put it on my laptop. Which is much easier to carry around then the 4" binder.

mugenfan, how does it work now with out hard copies as far as the "activities" and ELT? Do they still hand those copies out still?

There is a copy in the classroom for everyone but you are required to share with the other classes. At the beginning of class you walk over to the shelf and grab your number book and then put it back at the end of the day. There are a number of checkout books available to be checked out over night.

[mugenfan_98]

Something new I learned this week........When you get to charts don't expect to get your own copy. We have to share those as well. One (vfr and ifr chart) per pair.

Also, the dress code is business casual. You never know when the FAA will walk in the room.

Make sure that when you first take your receipt for housing to the travel office that you pay for the proper amount of housing. The day before your report date counts as your first day. So for example.......

My report date: August 19th
FAA Perdiem starts: August 18th

15 days from the 18th was September 2nd. On the receipt those 15 days must be itemized, include the landlord name and address, and the method of payment. They tell you to expect it in two weeks. I've been told closer to 5 days.

[highlander27]

Originally Posted by mugenfan_98

Something new I learned this week........When you get to charts don't expect to get your own copy. We have to share those as well. One (vfr and ifr chart) per pair.

Also, the dress code is business casual. You never know when the FAA will walk in the room.

Make sure that when you first take your receipt for housing to the travel office that you pay for the proper amount of housing. The day before your report date counts as your first day. So for example.......

My report date: August 19th
FAA Perdiem starts: August 18th

15 days from the 18th was September 2nd. On the receipt those 15 days must be itemized, include the landlord name and address, and the method of payment. They tell you to expect it in two weeks. I've been told closer to 5 days.

Thanks for the tips again! I was wondering about when the per diem started... I was planning on heading out to OKC 2 days before class, but I guess it'll now just be one.

[Lalexf]

Originally Posted by thesoonerkid

you will get it when you go through basics, but pm me an address and ill send you a copy

Got it Thanks!!! You da best!!! Started looking at it last night. Question...do they do each section in 1 day? I noticed the 1st file says 7 hours....Is there a test at the end of each section or at the end of the week before the final big one at the end of Basics? Thanks. I might marry you for giving me something useful to do with my time other than chase Hurricanes...although that is fun, it could also prevent me from going to the Academy, you know if I'm dead and all....ha ha ha

[thesoonerkid]

Originally Posted by Lalexf

Got it Thanks!!! You da best!!! Started looking at it last night. Question...do they do each section in 1 day? I noticed the 1st file says 7 hours....Is there a test at the end of each section or at the end of the week before the final big one at the end of Basics? Thanks. I might marry you for giving me something useful to do with my time other than chase Hurricanes...although that is fun, it could also prevent me from going to the Academy, you know if I'm dead and all....ha ha ha

no problem. sorry there was no case with it. as far as the lessons go, the instructors try to teach the lessons in the allotted time (if it says 7 hours, then they will probably spend about that amount of time on it) some are shorter than that. most are about 4-6 hours long (including breaks and whatnot) and yes there is a "test" at the end of each lesson (tests are more like quizzes, the scores are not recorded) let me know when you get a class date

[Lalexf]

Originally Posted by thesoonerkid

no problem. sorry there was no case with it. as far as the lessons go, the instructors try to teach the lessons in the allotted time (if it says 7 hours, then they will probably spend about that amount of time on it) some are shorter than that. most are about 4-6 hours long (including breaks and whatnot) and yes there is a "test" at the end of each lesson (tests are more like quizzes, the scores are not recorded) let me know when you get a class date

will do and thanks again!!!