Tom Hanes
Hey, I'm Tom Hanes, the founder of Side by Side ATC. I've spent over 36 years in air traffic control, working in Towers, Enroute Centers, and 5 years as an Instructor at the FAA Academy. Now, I use everything I've learned to help students like you succeed.
I saw so many talented students struggle at the Academy-- not because they weren't capable, but because they didn't have the right guidance, support and mindset. I created Side by Side ATC to change that. My goal is to give each student every advantage possible so you can walk into the Academy prepared and walk out with a passing score.
I'm here to couch you, guide you, and make sure you have the tools to succeed. If you are willing to put in the work I'll be there right with you-- side by side-- every step of the way.
Guiding FAA Academy Students To Success
Structured preparation and performance coaching before and during Academy training.
Programs
Radar Recovery Coaching Program
Full Academy Coaching Program
Focused Support During the Final Phase of Academy Training
The radar portion of the FAA Academy is often the most demanding phase of training and represents the final step before passing/failing. Many capable students discover that radar requires faster decision=making, stronger performance consistency and a different preparation approach than non-radar. Radar Recovery Coaching provides experienced mentorship during this critical stage, helping students rebuild confidence ,improve performance structure, and navigate radar training pressure with clarity and support.
Structured Mentorship Throughout Academy Training
The FAA Academy is a fastpaced, high pressure training environment where preparation, study structure, and performance mindset play major roles in success. Full Academy Coaching is designed for students who want consistent mentorship throughout training, helping them build strong study systems, improve decision-making performance, prepare for evaluations, and develop the confidence needed to perform under pressure.
Testimonials
Alex
" Your patience, understanding, and encouragement got me through this course. Thank you for everything."
John
" It was a blessing and I am grateful to have had an instructor like you. Thank you."
Austin
" Thanks for all you did for me. I think you are the only instructor that could make academics fun!"
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What if I am already struggling?
Struggling through Non-radar is not new. You are certainly not the only one to ever struggle.
I have had many students reach out to me after realizing they need help adjusting their study
approach, performance habits, or confidence under pressure.
Struggling don't mean that you can not succeed, but it will erode any confidence you have if left
unchecked.
Coaching focuses on identifying where your breakdowns are happening so we can build a clear,
manageable plan to help you improve performance going forward.
It is important to be honest that improvement requires commitment and effort. Coaching provides
guidance, structure, and accountability, but students must still actively engage in the process. Many
students find that having experienced mentorship during this stage helps them regain clarity and
direction when they feel overwhelmed.
If you are struggling, reaching out sooner rather than later usually gives you more time and
opportunity to improve your performance and confidence before your final evaluations.
Is coaching worth it?
Whether coaching is worth it depends on what kind of support you feel you need while at the
Academy. The Academy is a very high pressure environment and I have seen students fall
short of their goals just because of that pressure.
My coaching is designed to help you perform at your highest level by providing structured guidance,
performance strategies, and honest feedback based on my experience both as an air traffic
controller and FAA Academy instructor.
Some students come to my coaching because they want a clear plan and accountability from the
start. Others come after realizing they need help adjusting their approach mid-way through. In both
situations, the goal is to help students improve performance, reduce overwhelm, and navigate the
Academy with greater confidence.
If you are unsure, set up a free call and we can discuss your situation and decide what the best
course of action is for you.
What if I am not sure that ATC is right for me?
I have helped many students with an answer to that question. ATC is not for everyone, and during
their time at the Academy MOST students ask themselves that question at least once and sometimes
more than once a day. My goal is not to just help you with the material that you have to learn and
know. My goal is to help you perform at your highest level and grow in confidence as you go through
the Academy.
In many cases, uncertainty comes from stress, confidence challenges, or learning obstacles that can
be improved with the right structure and support. Coaching often helps students better understand
their strengths, develop more effective performance habits, and gain clarity about their potential
in the career.
My goal is not to push you into a career that is not right for you, but to give you all of the support
available so you can make confident, informed decisions while also giving you the best opportunity
to succeed.
If you are unsure, set up a free call and we can discuss your situation and decide what the best
course of action is for you.
How does the scheduling work?
There are 2 options available for students.
The first option will involve 1:1 coaching calls/Zooms once a week for an hour, normally during the
week.
These coaching sessions can be scheduled here on the website.
The second option involves 1:1 coaching calls/Zooms TWICE a week(1 hour each). These sessions
can be scheduled on the website.
When you sign up for the coaching programs, you also get access to me via text the entire time
should a question come up that you need an answer for. You also get access to me on eval days
for help, guidance, and support.
Do you guarantee passing?
No one can ethically or realistically guarantee that a student will pass the FAA Academy. Success
depends on so many factors that include ability to perform under intense pressure, being able to
retain A LOT of complex material, decision-making ability, and individual effort throughout the
12 weeks.
What I DO guarantee is that every coaching client receives personalized guidance, structured
performance strategies, and honest feedback.
My goal is to help each student improve how they prepare, study, think, and perform so they can
give themselves the strongest possible opportunity to succeed. Many students find that even just
having someone there to listen and understand what they are going through helps them stay
focused, manage stress, and approach each day with greater confidence.
I also believe in being honest with students about their progress and readiness. Coaching is
designed to support growth, clarity and performance- not to offer unrealistic promises.
Copyright Tom Hanes