Controller Training Policy

WASHINGTON ARTCC (VATUSA NORTHEAST REGION - ZDC)

DATE ISSUED: Dec 30, 2007

REVISED: July 20, 2009

SUBJECT: CONTROLLER TRAINING POLICY

PURPOSE: To establish ZDC ARTCC standards for training controllers and implementing the ratings standards set forth by the VATUSA Controller Rating Standardization Policy 07/05.

DEFINITIONS:

Rating - A VATSIM-assigned designation that identifies the administrative level of a particular VATSIM member. Specific ratings are intrinsically aligned with ATC positions and reflect a minimum competence level of a VATSIM member. The following ratings are relevant to this policy:

Observer (OBS) - A member with no ARTCC ratings or certifications

Ground Controller (S1) - This rating includes local airport control service positions - Clearance Delivery (DEL) and Ground (GND).

Tower Controller (S2) - This rating includes local Tower (TWR) control service positions.

Terminal Area [TMA] Controller (S3) - This rating includes APP and DEP radar service positions.

Controller (C1) - This rating is for Enroute CTR sectors; both radar and non-radar control services.

Senior Controller (C3) - This rating provides a service beyond that of a normal Controller (C1).  This rating shall be utilized to recognize members who show a strong dedication to perfecting their craft and make significant contributions to the VATUSA Division through active participation. The specific requirements for attaining the Senior Controller (C3) rating are outlined in item #14 of the VATUSA Controller Rating Standardization Policy 07/05

Certification - An endorsement granted by ZDC, indicating a controller's proficiency to provide specific air traffic control services at ZDC MAJOR or LCTP designated facilities.

MAJOR Facility - A designation for airport facilities that have significantly high traffic levels or airspace complexity that require additional training and certification to be effectively managed.

Local Competency Training Plan (LCTP) - An ARTCC administered program of training for additional competencies that may be required for some operational facilities and airspace aireas. These facilities may include those having unique operational goals; be operationally integral to neighboring ARTCCs or FIRs; or have a distinct complexity that is not normally encountered in general ATC operations.

Competency - Possessing a proficiency in some area of expertise. For the purpose of ATC, competency involves two areas:

Required Knowledge - Demonstrated via written examinations

Area of Concentration - Demonstrated via practical, over the shoulder (OTS) examinations

POLICIES:

1. Qualifications

1.1 - All new members joining, transferring, or visiting at ZDC must pass the ZDC Basic Exam to get added to the ZDC Roster. The purpose of this exam is to verify the member has familiarized him or herself with ZDC policies and procedures, mandatory briefing items, can lookup information related to ZDC airspace and facilities, and possesses a good understanding of basic aviation concepts needed for control positions within ZDC.

1.2 - All controllers must receive Solo Authorization by a ZDC Instructor or Mentor prior to plugging into any position within ZDC without supervision.

1.3 - No person shall plugin to any position within ZDC that they are not authorized for as per the ZDC Qualifications Table.

2. Ratings and Certifications

2.1 - In order to minimize the number of examinations and steps to advancement, new members starting out their ATC career at the Washington ARTCC will normally be trained in ATC at ZDC MAJOR facilities, thus earning their VATSIM ratings in conjunction with ZDC certifications. However, a student may request to be trained in general ATC outside of the ZDC MAJOR facilities, in order to seek VATSIM ratings only.

2.2 - The ZDC Qualifications Table illustrates the the normal progression of written exams and OTS' ZDC-based (non-visiting) controllers can expect to take, along with the corresponding VATSIM Ratings and ZDC certifications that will be awarded, as their training progresses.

2.3 - A member must demonstrate all appropriate elements of competency before the rating or certification is awarded.

2.4 - Authorization to work solo at a position is not a certification. After solo authorization for a position, it is expected that the member will plugin, get experience with real traffic and real situations, and spend empty cycles reading all the relevant regulations and SOPs.

2.5 - Visiting controllers can seek ZDC certifications for positions up to their current VATSIM Rating only. All training and ratings promotions will be provided by a controller's home ARTCC.

3. Examinations

3.1 - Written exams will be assigned by a ZDC Instructor upon request, or automatically, once the member has passed any prerequisite OTS and/or written exams as indicated on the ZDC Qualifications Table.

3.2 - OTS exams will be scheduled upon request, providing the member has already passed any prerequisite OTS and/or written exams as indicated on the ZDC Qualifications Table. At the discretion of the Instructor, the OTS may be scheduled to coincide with an event or other time which is expected to generate a lot of traffic, or together with another member awaiting an OTS.

3.3 - All written exams are open-book and self-study.

3.4 - Sharing or distributing the specific questions and/or answers of any ZDC assigned written exam without the express written consent of the ZDC Training Administrator or ZDC ATM is strictly forbidden. The ZDC Training Administrator will aggressively investigate any suspicious test results.

3.5 - Non-ZDC Instructors transferring or visiting ZDC are forbidden from using their access to the VATUSA certification center to view the test results of ZDC assigned written exams taken by other members.

4. Training Requests

4.1 – Requests for written exams should be made on the Exam Request Thread.  Requests for training should be made on the Training Requests Forum, via email, or private message on the forum.  Members shall NOT not make such requests to ZDC Instructors or Mentors online while they are plugged in on a control position.

4.2 - Training will be provided generally on a first come first serve basis, but may detract from this rule to gain certain operational advantages. For example, Mentors will usually provide the initial training to new students, thereby allowing Instructors to focus on more advanced training. Also, certain Mentors or Instructors may specialize in certain types of training or delivery methods.