(Posted 17th November 2025)
Courtesy of Mr. Patrik Prymula
For many aspiring air traffic controllers, the FEAST selection process is the biggest hurdle on the path toward a career in aviation. It is demanding, competitive, and for most candidates, surrounded by uncertainty. I know this because a few years ago, I was in the same position as thousands of applicants across Europe. I had the ambition and the motivation, went through the entire selection process with hope, and like many others, I did not make it through.
Not being accepted into ATC training was a difficult moment. When you invest your time and expectations into something, hearing no leaves a mark. But the setback led me to an important realization. I wanted to work in aviation no matter what path I had to take to enter the industry. The goal itself stayed the same, only the route changed.
This turning point shaped everything that followed.
Finding a Different Way Into Aviation
After not succeeding in the ATC selection, I knew I needed a skillset that would bring me closer to the industry I cared about. That is why I spent the next two years teaching myself programming, fully focused on gaining expertise that would open a door into aviation.
Eventually, this effort paid off. I received an offer to join ERA a.s., a company known for surveillance solutions for civil and military air traffic environments. Today, I work there as an ATC software developer, contributing to systems that support safe and reliable air traffic operations. It was the first major step toward the career I wanted.
But even after entering the industry, one memory from my own preparation remained strong: the feeling of being unprepared for FEAST and the lack of meaningful guidance. That thought eventually became the foundation of a new idea.
Why ATCPreparation.com Came to Life
During the selection process, I noticed that candidates have very little structured support. Information about FEAST is limited. Guidance about expectations, test structure, or preparation strategies is minimal. Many exercises available online are too generic or do not reflect the real testing environment. ICAO English evaluation is another area where candidates often do not know their level or how to track improvement.
I knew exactly how it felt to walk into FEAST without a clear idea of what to expect. That experience became my motivation to build something better for future applicants.
While working full time at ERA, I began developing a solution in the evenings and on weekends. What started as a small experiment slowly grew into something more serious.
Two Years of Development
This side project eventually became ATC Preparation s.r.o. Today, after more than two years of development, it has grown into a structured platform supporting FEAST and ICAO English preparation. Development has been continuous. Every few weeks, new improvements and refinements are released. What began as a personal idea has grown into a long-term project.
What the Platform Offers
ATC Preparation aims to create tools that reflect the testing process as closely as possible. The platform includes:
• A training environment inspired by the structure, timing, and scoring logic of the FEAST test, helping candidates understand what awaits them.
• Tools that allow users to compare results and track their progress directly in the software.
• An ICAO English dashboard available on ATCPreparation.com, giving candidates the ability to monitor their development and understand their current level.
The aim is not to guarantee success or replicate FEAST itself, but to provide meaningful preparation and give candidates a clearer understanding of what lies ahead.
A Project That Continues to Grow
Even after two years, development is ongoing. New modules are planned, new improvements are added, and feedback from users continues to shape the direction of the project. What began with personal disappointment has become a way to help others approach the process with more confidence and clarity.
My goal has always been simple. I want candidates to feel prepared, informed, and supported in a way that I was not. If this platform reduces uncertainty and gives applicants a better chance to understand their strengths and weaknesses, then the work has value.
Looking Ahead
Aviation is built on continuous learning and improvement. ATCPreparation.com follows the same philosophy. It is a project shaped by experience, persistence, and the belief that preparation should be accessible and meaningful.
My path into aviation was not the one I expected, but it led me to a place where I can support the next generation of ATC candidates by creating tools that did not exist when I needed them. In many ways, it feels like this was the direction my journey was always meant to take. More information about the project can be found at https://atcpreparation.com
