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AMA with Drummer: Responses
- Matt T.
- Dec 18, 2020
- 6 min read
We'd like to thank everyone that participated in our AMA with Bruce (Drummer) last week, and we'd also like to encourage everyone to participate in our ongoing AMA with Will_A. I've compiled all of the responses and included the best of those responses in this article - not all responses will be in this post; however, you may send Thunderbolt a message on the IFC for a response to your question if it is not included in this thread. Alternatively, you may send an email to v1rotateblog@gmail.com.
How long did it take you to achieve all the roles in IFATC?
Joined: March 11, 2020
Specialist: March 16
Officer: May 27
Trainer: August 15
Supervisor: November 20
I progressed through the ranks relatively quickly and if I have some advice, it is to strive to improve every session from the previous one and to not think about promotions and ranks while in IFATC. We joined to control airports on the expert server but if you work hard enough and keep doing what you are doing, the ranks will follow.
Do you like playing mallet percussion instruments?
I love playing mallet percussion instruments. They are extremely challenging and you can make beautiful music. When people hear percussion, they assume drum and loud but mallet percussion instruments are definitely one of the prettiest sounding instruments in my opinion.
Do you prefer concerts or marching?
I focus on Symphony Orchestras as my primary area of music. With that being said, I love learning front ensemble and drumline music from Drum Corps International. I also teach marching percussion to high schoolers during the season.
What's your favorite part of being a trainer?
My favorite part of being a trainer is seeing my trainees grow. They become more confident and they go from all different experience levels to then being able to pass a difficult practical. It makes my day to see how happy they are when they join and/or get promoted to officer.
Do you prefer training local or radar?
Honestly, it depends on the day. I don’t like to focus heavily on one aspect so that I can have a lot of variety. With radar trainees, it is fun being able to take controllers who may know nothing about radar on a journey to being a qualified IFATC Officer. With tower trainees, the sessions are very fast paced and it is a lot of fun to see how the trainee handles the patterns. Also, I like to throw in ground awareness which is fun for me, maybe not for the controller lol.
If you could give any piece of advice to yourself one year ago, what would it be and why?
My advice that I would give myself is to take risks. When I first joined IFATC, I told myself that I was going to stay as a specialist because I was terrified of Radar and I had no idea how to do it. Because I took the risk, I have opened the door to some wonderful opportunities such as trainer and supervisor. This goes for life outside of Infinite Flight as well. Take risks so that you don’t look at yourself 20 years later and ask “What if?”.
When and how did you get into Infinite Flight?
Ever since I was a kid, I liked planes. While other kids would play with toy cars (I did that too), I had toy planes. I wanted an app that would let me fly one and I found Infinite Flight. I’ve been off and on with the simulator since 2014 or 2015 but I really got into it starting December 2019.
What's your plan for the future?
My plan is to finish my Bachelor’s Degree in Percussion Performance and then get my Master’s in it as well. I’m not quite sure if I want to go for a Doctorate of Musical Arts but my end goal is to be a Timpanist/Percussionist in a major Symphony Orchestra. I also want to teach at Universities for aspiring professionals.
How did you discover the IFC and what made you want to join IFATC?
I discovered the community when I was looking at tutorials for the app as I was completely clueless. Back before the user guide, all tutorials were on the community but I was skeptical about joining it until I heard of IFATC after reading a bit. I was always curious on how to control airports on the expert server as we all know Training Server is lol.
Are you aspiring/training to become a pilot?
Unfortunately, I am not. Aviation and Infinite Flight is more of a hobby to me. However, if I do end up choosing the aviation route later in life, I would like to be an Air Traffic Controller.
How did you become an IFATC Trainer/Supervisor?
Honestly, there is no cheat code on how to become one of these roles. Hard work and dedication really do pay off. Being mature and a helpful member of IFATC and the community is also very important. Now with that being said, I didn’t work as hard as I did just to become a supervisor and trainer. I did it because I was having so much fun in the organization. Don’t forget the reason you joined IFATC in the first place.
What got you into music, drumming specifically?
It’s a funny story actually. When I was in first grade, my elementary school had a pep rally with all the grade levels. My grade level stood in one of the corners of the gymnasium and that’s where the fourth and fifth grade band kept their percussion instruments. There was a huge bass drum that was the size of me and I gravitated towards it. Naturally as an impulsive kid, I banged on it with my fingers and got in trouble by the director but little did she know, that was the start of my percussion journey.
When are you becoming a recruiter?
I’m not worried about when something may happen. I’m in IFATC because I love to control in Infinite Flight. I’m gonna keep doing me and if it does happen one day then great! If not, oh well. That’s not stopping me from doing what I love.
Do/did you play any other instruments aside from drums and that type of instruments?
I actually am not a drum set player. I’m still pretty basic at that. I focus on classical and marching percussion. I learned a little piano as well.
Rapidfire Time!
Favorite experience in IFATC so far? Boeing 717 Landing Competition and Refueling Mission
Does pineapple belong on pizza? Absolutely NOT. I don't even like pineapple on pineapple lol.
PS4 or XBOX? PS4 all the way
Maryland Vibes or Long Island Vibes? Maryland Vibes
When are you and Ryan (Grizpac) going to meet up at BWI and spot? Definitely when this pandemic comes to a close.
What's your favorite thing to do outside of music and IF? Before the pandemic, I loved hanging out with friends. I also played soccer for fun as a goalkeeper.
What's your favorite airplane other than Maryland One? Honestly any livery with a lot of detail or color contrast is good with me.
What are you getting for Christmas? I am getting the iPhone 12 as well as some new mallets for my collection.
What motivates you on a daily basis? My goals motivate me each day. For my career, if I'm not working hard, someone else is.
Favorite aircraft? 737
Favorite route? That's a hard one. Honestly, any scenic route is my favorite.
Favorite airline? Southwest. They are so nice and they have a great sense of humor. Very high customer service.
Favorite airport? I don't really have a favorite. There's so many great choices and I like them for different reasons.
Are you part of a band? I am a member of many collegiate ensembles. In high school, I also was a member of many youth groups county and statewide.
How is **** U***** D****? Remind me to always stay on Declan's good side. Don't ask what that means.
Local, radar, or center? If I could rank what I like to control it would be Approach, Tower, Ground, Center, Departure.
Other roles in the IFC unrelated to IFATC? I am a regular on the forum, staff at International Professional Pilots (IPP), and a member of Infinite Flight Aviation Experts (IFAE).
Is mayonnaise an instrument? No Patrick, mayonnaise is not an instrument. Horseradish isn't either.
Why is hitting a drum with a stick better than tooting a horn? I feel like I'm missing a joke. I'm interested to hear lol.
One piece of advice you'd give to radar trainees? My advice would be to plan thoroughly. When stress arises and it gets hectic, you will always have your plan to guide you on the right path.
That's it! We'd like to thank Bruce for participating in the AMA, and we'd like to thank everyone that submitted a question. As a reminder, you can always stay up to date with our upcoming AMAs and articles by subscribing to our newsletter.
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