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3. APS_006 Facility & Equipment Rating Requirements

Facility & Equipment Rating Requirements

 

APS-006

Version 3

ZSE Senior Staff

Amended 2018-10-25, changes noted in bold font.

 

1.  PURPOSE:

 

This ARTCC Policy Statement (APS) outlines the requirements for controllers, both VATUSA Seattle ARTCC and visiting, to become rated to operate facilities and to use special equipment under the VATUSA Seattle ARTCC Training Program.

 

2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

This APS shall be maintained, revised, updated, or canceled by the ZSE Senior Staff 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 all controllers; both home VATUSA Seattle ARTCC controllers and controllers visiting from other ARTCC’s.

 

4. CANCELLATION:

 

APS-002 v1.00 dated 06/01/2009 is canceled.

APS-002 v1.50 dated 10/01/2013 is canceled.

APS-002 v1.50 dated 10/01/2013 renamed APS-006 v1.50 effective 10/01/2013.

APS-006 v1.50 dated 10/01/2013 is canceled.

APS-006 v1.51 dated 10/29/2013 is canceled.

APS-006 v2.5 is canceled.

 

5. BACKGROUND:

 

Each VATUSA ARTCC is granted the authority to establish local procedures for facility certification within their organization. This policy statement shall explain VATUSA Seattle ARTCC requirements for facility certification and special rating endorsements.

 

6. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR FACILITY RATINGS:

 

a. New students, Transfers, Visiting controllers, and current Clearance Delivery/Ground (DEL/GND) uncertified students must:

 

i. Have taken and passed the ZSE Basic SOP Written Exam.

 

ii. Have received a welcome letter from the ATM/DATM, received operating initials, and have been added to the VATUSA Seattle ARTCC controller roster.

 

iii. Have watched the VATUSA Seattle ARTCC Observer Orientation Video.

 

b. Minor Ground and Below:

 

i. Have taken and passed the VATUSA Student 1 (S1) Exam.

 

iii. Have received appropriate training on Minor Clearance Delivery/Ground.

 

iii. Have been promoted to Student 1 (S1).

 

c. Major Ground Airports (KSEA)

 

i. Have met all the previous requirements.

 

ii. Have taken and passed a checkout for Major Ground Certification

 

*Note: A student may choose to complete an OTS examination for Major Ground Certification instead of Minor Ground. In such a case, upon successful completion of the Major Ground OTS Examination, the student will be certified to control both Major DEL/GND and Minor DEL/GND. 

 

d. Minor Tower and below

(Solo Endorsed students may control any minor tower position solo with a rating of Student 1 (S1) when they have completed basic training and have the endorsement of an Instructor and/or Mentor.)

 

i. Have met all previous requirements

 

ii. Have received appropriate training on Minor Tower

 

iii. Have taken and passed the VATUSA Student 2 (S2) Exam

 

iv. Have been promoted to Student 2 (S2) by taking and passing an OTS examination for Minor Tower Certification.

e. Major Tower Airports (KSEA)

 

i. Have met all previous requirements

 

ii. Have taken and passed the Seattle (KSEA) Local Controller Examination.

   

iii. Have taken and passed a checkout for Major Tower certification.

 

*Note: A student may choose to complete an OTS examination for Major Tower Certification instead of Minor Tower. In such a case, upon successful completion of the Major Tower OTS Examination, the student will be certified to control both Major TWR and Minor TWR.

 

f. Minor Approaches

(The Portland TRACON is delegated as the Solo Endorsement Facility for Minor Approach. Students may control PDX_APP solo with a rating of Student 2 (S2) when they have completed basic training and have the endorsement of an Instructor and/or Mentor.)

 

i. Have met all previous requirements.

 

ii. Have received appropriate training on minor approach.

 

iii. Have taken and passed the VATUSA Senior Student (S3) Exam.

 

iv. Have been promoted to Senior Student (S3) by taking and passing an OTS examination for Minor Approach Certification.

 

g. Major Approach (S46 TRACON)

 

i. Have met all previous requirements.

 

ii. Have taken and passed a checkout for Major Approach Certification

 

*Note: A student may choose to complete an OTS examination for Major Approach Certification instead of Minor Approach. In such a case, upon successful completion of the Major Approach OTS Examination, the student will be certified to control both Major APP and Minor APP.

 

h. Center

 

i. Have met all previous requirements.

 

ii. Have taken and passed the VATUSA Controller 1 (C1) Written Exam.

 

iii. Have been promoted to Controller 1 (C1) by passing the OTS.

 

7. INSTRUCTIONAL RATINGS:

 

a. Mentor Position:

 

The requirements for obtaining a mentor rating are:

 

i. A recommendation for the rating by the Air Traffic Manager (ATM), Deputy Air Traffic Manager (DATM), Training Administrator (TA) with the approval of the TA and ATM.

 

ii. A rating of S2 is required.

 

iii. Certifications are good for a 6 month period and may be revoked or suspended by the ATM, DATM, or TA.

 

b. Instructor Rating:

           

The requirements for obtaining an Instructor rating are:

 

i. Staff Instructors are appointed and removed in accordance with the VATUSA policy.

           

ii. VATUSA Seattle ARTCC Staff Instructors shall be assigned the rating “I1” Instructor 1 rating while performing as a staff instructor. Upon removal from the staff instructor role, they shall return to the last held controller rating.

 

iii. The Training Administrator (TA) may be recommended by the ARTCC Air Traffic Manager (ATM) to the VATUSA Training Department for assignment of the “I3” Senior Instructor (I3) rating. They will retain the Instructor rating if they vacate the TA position, but at the discretion of the VATUSA Training Director be downgraded to the Instructor 1 (I1) rating. Upon removal from the staff instructor role, they shall be returned to the last held controller rating.

 

iv. Staff Instructors must pass all written exams in force during the period they hold the instructor position.

 

v. Candidates for Instructor Rating (I1) must meet this requirement prior to appointment.

 

vi. Current Instructors (I1) shall have 30 days to comply with this requirement for any new written exam added to the training program.

 

vii. ATM, TA, or his designee will recommend controllers for Instructor position(s) to VATUSA.