Photo By Airman 1st Class Thomas Calopedis | Senior Airmen Nicolas Vider, 31st Operations Support Squadron air traffic control...... read more read more
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While Senior Airman Nicolas Vider is currently an air traffic control (ATC) journeyman for Aviano AB’s 31st Operations Support Squadron, it was not all that long ago he was living in a small-town and looking for something more in his life.
Unsure of what to do with his life, Vider knew he had higher aspirations than working fast food in his hometown. The young West Virginia native ultimately decided to take a page out of a friend’s book and the pair soon found themselves in the U.S. Air Force. Yet even joining the military did not go the exact way Vider had planned.
“Not in a million years did I think I’d be doing air traffic control,” said Vider. “My number one job was explosive ordinance disposal.”
From the beginning of his career, Vider has had to overcome various obstacles. He learned that he had to be flexible and adjust his outlook to surpass new obstacles.
After tech school, Vider still had more training. Though the fundamentals of ATC are the same and adhere to the Federal Aviation Administration’s guidelines - or their respective country’s equivalent for overseas bases - each base’s ATC has their own way of doing things. This means no matter where Vider goes in his career, he is still learning something new.
“Our on-the-job training (OJT) is about a year-long because we need the practical application, not everything can be learned from a book,” said Vider. “The military and air traffic control can be challenging at times, but that’s part of what makes it rewarding.”
Directing air traffic for a military base comes with significant stressors, yet Vider would not trade being a controller for any other job in the military.
“When things get really busy in ‘local’ and we land everybody, we get the biggest feeling of accomplishment,” said Vider. “After finally being all trained up and actually doing the job, I’ll look at the other controllers and we’ll know we crushed it.”
‘Local’, or local control, is the role of looking directly out of the tower windows and ensuring safe and efficient flow of planes. It is the ‘bread and butter’ of ATC, according to Vider. While in this role, things will get incredibly busy in 10 to 15 minute intervals. Afterwards, ATCs experience lulls in activity that allow them to mentally recharge and attend to their additional duties.
“Most people in my life would say I’m laid back as well as hard-working, and I think these traits have allowed me to do well in ATC,” said Vider. “My coworkers know if they ask me to do something, it will get done.”
Due to the nature of their fast-paced and safety-oriented workplace, both American and Italian ATCs quickly bond and operate as one, according to Vider.
“Everyone watches the flight line and listens, we all look out for each other,” said Vider. “It helps make sure nothing is missed and the right calls are always made.”
Although they are very focused and hold each other accountable if they need to, they joke around and have fun during the lulls.
“I like to lighten the mood for everyone,” said Vider, “In the morning, even if it’s just coming in with a smile, that can make a difference.”
Most of Vider’s hobbies revolve around the outdoors and his friends, who would mention his big heart. These include snowboarding the Italian Alps and hiking, but he enjoys video games as well.
Vider also keeps in touch with his family back home despite the time zone differences. Whenever he connects with his hometown friends and family, Vider thinks about all the progression he has made in his life since joining the Air Force.
“I didn’t have many career options back home,” said Vider. “When I see people still in the same situations, it puts into perspective all the opportunities the USAF has afforded me.”
| Date Taken: | 10.04.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 10.11.2022 02:59 |
| Story ID: | 430651 |
| Location: | AVIANO AIR BASE, IT |
| Web Views: | 27 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Tales from the air tower: Senior Airman Vider’s USAF journey, by A1C Thomas Calopedis, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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