Ep 456: Air Traffic Control School At Combat Control School

In this episode of Ones Ready, Peaches sits down with Susan and Korey, two legendary instructors teaching Air Traffic Control at Combat Control School—yes, actual ATC, not the “wave your arms at planes” nonsense people assume CCTs do.

Susie’s a Gulf War vet with a PhD in aviation (no big deal), and Korey is a former Ranger, CCT, and 7-knee-surgery survivor turned 24-year ATC workhorse. Together, they break down why ATC is the mental crucible of the pipeline, why simulators never quite capture the chaos of real-world ops, and how holding 3D-printed planes while yelling “LEFT BASE!” actually trains America’s most elite Combat Controllers.

You’ll get behind-the-scenes stories, evolution of ATC in the pipeline, what “simulator rage” looks like, and yes—why helicopters are still the combat controller’s kryptonite.

🔥 Key Takeaways:

💥 Combat Controller ATC Is No Joke – It’s not watered down. It’s not fluff. It’s the same curriculum—and then some.

💥 Mental Muscle Over Physical Strength – You can’t ruck your way through a clearance delivery screw-up.

💥 Sim Rage Is Real – Students will break before phraseology does.

💥 Helicopters Still Suck – Their flight profiles make combat controllers cry.

💥 Real Pilots, Real Pressure – Students now get live aircraft reps post-graduation.

💥 Forget Pre-Studying – Come in humble. We'll train you right.

💥 Zero Washouts in 3.5 Years – When you want to be there, you make it work.

💥 3D-Printed Aircraft vs Million-Dollar Sims – Sometimes the old ways still slap.

💥 ATC Is Written in Blood – The rules aren’t optional. They’re survival.

💥 “Average Ranger” Energy – Just keep showing up and pushing forward. That’s the win.

📢 Call-to-Actions:

✅ Like this episode if you’ve ever yelled at a model airplane during training.

💬 Drop a comment with your worst sim meltdown moment.

⭐ Leave a review—especially if you finally understand why helicopters make controllers twitch.

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🎧 Subscribe and share with someone who thinks ATC is just tower cosplay.

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