ATCast

This video podcast series is produced by the Aerospace Network and covers a range of topics pertinent to air traffic control students. Each episode provides in-depth coverage of a particular instructional topic, using examples from the Academy airspace. Watch examples in action, thanks to University of North Dakota's state-of-the-art radar and control tower simulators.

Each video will open in a new window in your web browser, and requires the latest version of Apple Quicktime to play. After watching each episodes, UND students may test their knowledge by taking a practice quiz (requires a valid eZ! LMS log in). Please take note that there are now quiz's available for episodes 11, 12, and 13. Topics may also be discussed on the SATCA forum.

Episodes

01: Radar Identification [ quiz | discuss ]
Learn the six radar identification methods used to positively identify aircraft in the radar environment (recommended for AVIT 261 and AVIT 363).

02: Wake Turbulence [ quiz | discuss ]
This episode explains what wake turbulence is, how it generates and how it affects aircraft. It also covers proper wake turbulence radar seperation minima (Recommended for AVIT 261, AVIT 363, AVIT 464 and AVIT 465). Read more about wake turbulence in the Pilot and Air Traffic Controller Wake Turbulence Training Guide (.pdf).

03: Introduction to Radar [ quiz | discuss ]
This episode illustrates the history of radar. Learn how it was developed from a crude defensive system in the Battle of Britain and how it is used in air traffic control applications today (recommended for AVIT 103 and AVIT 261).

04: Merging Target Procedures [ quiz | discuss ]
Discover the basics of merging target procedures. Learn when and how to apply merging target procedures and view examples of several terminal radar scenarios (recommended for AVIT 261 and AVIT 363).

05: ILS Approaches and Clearances [ quiz | discuss ]
This episode discusses what an ILS system is, how it works, and the proper phraseology for issuing the clearance.  We also look at what happens inside the cockpit during an ILS approach with some flight instructors in UND's CRJ-200 simulator, and some specific examples from UND's radar simulator (recommended for AVIT 103 and AVIT 261).

06: Academy's Satellite Airports [ quiz | discuss ]
Learn about the other airports Academy Approach is responsible for, and what instrument approaches and procedures are used in UND's radar classes at these airports.  UND flight instructor Vanessa Wendelken explains what happens in the cockpit during non-precision approaches, and what controllers should be aware of when issuing approach clearances to pilots.  Also, we compare the approach plates provided in the Air Traffic Control Training Guide to what happens on the radar displays in UND's radar lab to provide a better idea of what happens once the approach clearance is issued (recommended for AVIT 363).

07: Transfer of Radar Identification [ quiz | discuss ]
Learn about the terminology, phraseology, and procedures used when transferring radar identification between controllers and hear phraseology examples from UND's radar lab.  Much of the information in this episode is taken directly from quizzes and tests given in UND's radar classes (recommended for AVIT 261 and AVIT 363).

08: Point Outs [ quiz | discuss ]
Learn what a point out is and how to give one.  Watch examples of procedures and phraseology taken directly from scenarios run in UND's radar lab, and know how to give a point out quickly and concisely when necessary in class (recommended for AVIT 261 and AVIT 363).

09: Clearance Delivery [ quiz | discuss ]
How does an airplane get its route clearance? This episode teaches students the role of the clearance delivery controller, one of the most basic functions in the air traffic control system. See how flight strips are marked and how to deliver clearances to aircraft using correct phraseology (recommended for AVIT 260).

10: ATIS [ quiz | discuss ]
Learn what a METAR is and how to decode the information it contains. Then explore how to make an ATIS, what the different parts are, and how to record one in the tower labs here at UND. Be sure to read the Aviation Weather Services Advisory Circular, described in the episode (recommended for AVIT 260).

11: Runway Incursions [ discuss ]
Play Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5
What is a runway incursion?  Go inside the University's simulation facilities to learn how a runway incursion might develop in the real world. This in-depth episode analyzes FAA data and interviews with aviation experts to discover causes and what can be done to prevent future incursions. Learn how ground vehicles and pedestrian traffic interact with airplanes on the ground (recommended for AVIT 103, AVIT 260, AVIT 362, AVIT 464, and AVIT 465).

12: Overhead Maneuver [ discuss ]
Controlling military traffic in the pattern requires the use of overhead maneuvers. Learn how to control jets flying in formation in the overhead pattern with the help of a former military aviator. Watch practical examples in the control tower simulator and learn how to integrate faster planes with other traffic (recommended for AVIT 464 and AVIT 465).

13: Traffic Pattern [ discuss ]
The standard traffic pattern is the basic building block of any tower's local position. Learn what a traffic pattern looks like from both the control tower and the cockpit. This episode also details the different types of landings pilots perform (recommended for AVIT 260 and AVIT 362).

14: Safety Alerts [ discuss ]
Part of an air traffic controller's duty priority is to issue safety alerts. What are they? When do you have to issue them? What do they look like on a radar display, and what is the correct phraseology for issuing them? Find out in this episode (recommended for AVIT 261, 363, 464 and 465).

15: Vertical Separation in the Terminal Radar Environment [ discuss ]
Learn what Mode C is and how it works, along with the rules and procedures for correctly applying vertical separation between aircraft in the terminal radar environment. Also, learn about the advantages of using this type of separation and why it is used (recommended for AVIT 261 and AVIT 363).

16: Maintaining Separation in the Terminal Radar Environment [ discuss ]
Learn about the different methods you as a terminal radar controller can use to maintain separation between aircraft and obstacles and the rules laid out in the 7110.65 regarding these methods (recommended for AVIT 261 and AVIT 363).

17: Speed Adjustments [ discuss ]
Speed adjustments refers to speeding up or slowing down aircraft, but why would you do this? When would speed adjustments be used? Find out in this episode, along with the correct phraseology, and see some examples of speed adjustments from the radar lab. (recommended for AVIT 261, AVIT 363, AVIT 464, and AVIT 465).

18: Introduction to the ATC System [ discuss ]
Play Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
This special episode of ATCast examines what happens on both sides of the microphone and follows an aircraft through each phase of flight as it interacts with Tower, En Route, and Approach controllers. If you're new to UND Aerospace or just want to know more about how ATC works, this episode will give you a great introduction to how things happen in the cockpit and in the different ATC facilities that control the National Airspace System. (recommended for AVIT 103, AVIT 260, AVIT 261).

19: Ground Control: Part 1 [ discuss ]
Play Version 1, Version 2
Learn what ground control is and its basic functions. What are ground control's responsibilities? What features of an airport's layout affect how ground control does its job? What are the general rules in the 7110.65 that ground controllers should be familiar with? Find out in this episode. Part Two will cover information specific to Academy Airport, and Part Three will discuss helicopter operations, so check back for those episodes soon. Note to students: there are two versions of this episode. If you are in Gary Bartelson's AVIT 260 or AVIT 362 class, watch Version 2. For all other instructors, watch Version 1. (Recommended for AVIT 260, AVIT 363, AVIT 464 and AVIT 465)

Special Episode: ADS-B
What is ADS-B? How will it affect the future of air traffic control and the cockpit workload of pilots? Learn about the new and exciting technology in this special podcast episode.