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3. APS-010 Solo Endorsement Program

Solo Endorsement Program

 

APS_010

Version 1

Training Administrator

 

1. PURPOSE:

The purpose of this program is to allow a student to work at the designated Solo Endorsement Facility once they have met solo endorsement requirements to gain experience on the position and rating itself prior to being promoted to the rating they are seeking and taking an OTS Exam.  This document contains the requirements for a solo endorsement, procedures for operating a position under a solo endorsement, and designates the Solo Endorsement Facility.

 

2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

This APS shall be maintained, revised, updated, or canceled by the VATUSA Seattle ARTCC Training Administrator and shall be effective unless there is a conflict with the VATSIM/VATUSA policies in which case they shall supersede these policies.

 

3. DISTRIBUTION:

 

This APS is applicable to students seeking to utilize the Solo Endorsement Program.

 

4. CANCELLATION:

 

None

 

5. BACKGROUND:

 

VATSIM and VATUSA have created a program to allow students to gain more experience on the live server while training for a rating they are currently not rated on. The ZSE ARTCC has elected to participate in the program to allow students to use self-study on Tower, Approach, and Center. The Solo Endorsement Program is not required, and students are not required to participate in this program if they wish not to.  However, it is recommended that the student have at least 1 30-day block of Solo Endorsement time prior to taking an OTS, and all students are encouraged to participate.

 

6. Designated Solo Endorsement Facility:

 

As per this policy, the designated solo facilities will be the Portland TRACON or the Seattle TRACON for approach. Tower solo certifications are valid at any minor airport. This information will be published on the ZSE Website in the controller's endorsements portion on the roster. This allows the solo cert to be reviewed by VATSIM supervisors or VATUSA Staff who wish to check on a student working at a Solo Facility. 

 

7. Solo Endorsement Eligibility Requirements:

 

a. Tower Solo Endorsements may be issued to S1 controllers who have:

 

i. Basic tower training by an Instructor or Mentor and such training is documented in the student’s ZSE training profile.

ii. Has the recommendation of an Instructor or Mentor by showing sufficient practical and theoretical knowledge of the position in correspondence with the VATSIM GRP.

 

b. Approach Solo Endorsements may be issued to S2 controllers who have:

 

i. Basic approach training by an Instructor or Mentor and such training is documented in the student’s ZSE training profile.

ii. Has the recommendation of an Instructor or Mentor by showing sufficient practical and theoretical knowledge of the position in correspondence with the VATSIM GRP.

 

c. Center Solo Endorsements may be issued to S3 controllers who have:

 

i. Basic approach training by an Instructor or Mentor and such training is documented in the student’s ZSE training profile.

ii. Has the recommendation of an Instructor or Mentor by showing sufficient practical and theoretical knowledge of the position in correspondence with the VATSIM GRP.

 

8. Solo Endorsement Issuance:

 

a. Tower:

 

i. Tower Solo Endorsements shall be issued in 3, 30-day blocks, and will not exceed 90 days total. The Training Administrator may waive the maximum time period and add additional blocks as they see fit. Students are encouraged to meet with an instructor during each 30-day block to discuss their progress, knowledge gained, comfort with the position, and to answer any questions the student may have. The Tower solo endorsement must be noted on the ZSE website.

 

b. Approach:

 

i. Approach Solo Endorsements shall be issued in 3, 30-day blocks, and will not exceed 90 days in total.  Students are encouraged to meet with an instructor during each 30-day block to discuss their progress, knowledge gained, comfort with the position, and to answer any questions the student may have. Approach solo endorsements must be noted on the ZSE website and VATUSA website.

 

c. Center:

i. Center Solo Endorsements shall be issued in 3, 30-day blocks, and will not exceed 90 days total.  Students are encouraged to meet with an instructor during each 30-day block to discuss their progress, knowledge gained, comfort with the position, and to answer any questions the student may have. Center solo endorsements must be noted on the ZSE website and VATUSA website.

 

9. Solo Endorsement Position Operation Requirements:

 

a. All students working a position under a solo endorsement must log in to the facility with the same callsign as if they were currently rated on the position they are working.  Controllers must indicate in their Controller Information and ATIS they are operating under a Solo Endorsement and provide a link to the ZSE Roster on the ZSE website showing their Solo Endorsement with an expiration date.  Failure to comply with this may result in removal from the Solo Endorsement program or even suspension from the VATSIM network by a network supervisor.

 

b. If a student is challenged by a supervisor regarding their Solo Endorsement the student is required to comply with all requests by any member of the Supervisor Team, VATUSA, or VATSIM.  If you are asked to disconnect from the network by a Supervisor you must comply with his/her request, and notify the ATM, DATM, or the TA, and the matter will be address with the Supervisor or a member of VATUSA.

 

c. A Solo Endorsement may be revoked at any time by the ATM, DATM, TA, or Instructor should the student be found to be abusing their Solo Endorsement in such manners as Working Unauthorized Positions, Not complying with the request of a Supervisor, VATUSA Staff Member, or VATSIM Staff Member.  For not operating the position within the guidelines specified in this document, or failing to meet the requirements of an instructor.