Document Information
Version 5
Created 12/03/2015 01:37
Last Updated 11/24/2020 22:12
by Finn Hutter
  1. Main
  2. Central Policy Statements
  3. APS-007 Training Program Policy

TRAINING PROGRAM POLICY

 

APS-007

Version 5.1

ZSE Senior Staff

Amended 2019-11-25
 

  1. PURPOSE:

This ARTCC Policy Statement (APS) describes the Training Program for VATUSA Seattle ARTCC.

  1. 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 VATSIM/VATUSA policy supersede local policies.

  1. DISTRIBUTION:

This APS is applicable to all VATUSA Seattle ARTCC controllers.

  1. CANCELLATION:

APS-001 v1.00 dated 2011-10-08 is canceled

APS-001 v1.00 dated 2011-10-08 renamed APS-009 v1.00 effective 2012-10-14

APS-009 v1.00 dated 2012-10-14 is canceled.

APS-009 v1.50 dated 2013-10-01 is canceled.

APS-009 v1.00 dated 2013-10-14 renamed APS-007 v1.50 effective 2013-10-01. 

APS-007 v1.50 dated 2013-10-01 renamed APS-007 v2.00 effective 2015-01-20.

APS_007 v4 dated 2017-09-23 renamed APS-007 v5.00 effective 2018-10-2

APS_007 v5 dated 2018-10-2 edited to clarify PDX does not operate independent parallel rwy operations.

  1. BACKGROUND:

The Training Program Policy is established to specify training and testing requirements to ensure that controllers are qualified to manage traffic in a safe, orderly, and proficient manner. 

  1. TRAINING PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS:
    1. General
      1. Students are expected to begin training only after reviewing applicable APS, SOP, and Training documentation as well as any materials suggested by the training staff.
      2. Students may request training on the VATUSA Seattle ARTCC website at “My Schedule” or on an ad hoc basis with members of ZSE Training Staff via Discord or e-mail.
      3. Students are encouraged to sign onto the network as OBS to observe controllers and instructors/mentors working traffic, particularly in preparation for training on a position.
      4. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Unofficial Controller Monitoring program and supplement their training by requesting unofficial monitoring from eligible controllers whenever practicable.   Eligible students should consider applying to become an Unofficial Monitor to enhance their own training. For more information on the program, see https://zseartcc.org/documents/view/170.
      5. Worksheets may be assigned by training staff to allow students the opportunity to practice and receive feedback on procedures and phraseology appropriate for the rating they are working towards.
      6. Students demonstrating satisfactory command of fundamentals and having received adequate initial training may, in the discretion of the TA/DTA and subject to the agreement of the EC and ATM/DATM, participate in live network training sessions appropriate for the rating they are working towards conducted during or in time periods immediately preceding or following ZSE events.
      7. VATUSA Exams that are not passed will be automatically reassigned in seven (7) days.
      8. Students failing an OTS examination may request another OTS attempt no sooner than seven (7) days from the failed OTS date.  This required delay may be waived or shortened at the discretion of the TA.
    2. Tower Trainee (S1) Training
      1. Pre-requisites
        1. Complete VATUSA S1 CBT, S1 exam, and joins ZSE facility.
        2. Student watches orientation video (Intro to VRC and ATC)
        3. Pass VATUSA ZSE Basic SOP exam.
      2. Upon successful completion of prerequisites, the student is authorized to train at Ground/Delivery level.
      3. S1 Training Objectives & Methodology
        1. Familiarize the student with ZSE local procedures/policies/resources (including in the S1 Training Syllabus in the ZSE Document Center) to ensure the student is able to comply with local restrictions/requirements, including runway configurations, clearance altitudes, handoff procedures, letters of agreement, and other matters addressed in ZSE current APSs and SOPs.
        2. S1 training may take place in classroom sessions, on sweatbox (typically at KPDX) or by having the student observe an appropriately rated controller live on the network
      4. S1 Promotion and Authorization
        1. Upon student demonstrating satisfactory command of local restrictions/requirements, promote student to S1. Ordinarily, this will be achieved through a sweatbox session at KPDX or KGEG carried out or observed by an Instructor or, at the discretion of the TA, by a Mentor.
        2. S1 students are authorized to control Minor Delivery and Minor Ground at any VATUSA Seattle ARTCC Airport excluding KSEA.
      5. Major Delivery/Ground Endorsement
        1. After promotion to S1, a student may request training for an endorsement to work Major Delivery and Major Ground at Seattle-Tacoma Intl Airport (KSEA).
        2. Initial training will include classroom sessions to familiarize students with KSEA clearance delivery and ground procedures by reference to the relevant portion of the S1 syllabus.
        3. Supplemental training may include sweatbox and live training.
        4. Upon student demonstrating satisfactory knowledge of S1 responsibilities at KSEA, endorse student for Major Ground/Delivery. Ordinarily, this will be achieved through a sweatbox session carried out or observed by an Instructor or, at the discretion of the TA, by a Mentor.
        5. S1 students endorsed for Major Ground/Delivery are authorized to control all VATUSA Seattle ARTCC airports.
    3. Tower Controller (S2) Training
      1. Pre-requisites
        1. S1 Rating
        2. Complete VATUSA S2 Computer Based Training (CBT) on VATUSA
        3. Cover the S2 Training Syllabus in the ZSE Document Center.
      2. Upon promotion to S1, a student may begin working towards S2 rating, though it is strongly recommended that a student first build reasonable time handling live traffic on Ground/Delivery positions (including KSEA following endorsement for Major Ground/Delivery) in order to progress more rapidly and efficiently once undertaking tower training.
      3. S2 Training Objectives & Methodology
        1. Familiarize the student with local procedures for Minor Tower at KPDX and any one of KHIO, KTTD, KGEG, including Class Charlie/Delta airspace, VFR transitions, and simultaneous dependent parallel runway operations at KPDX, high-traffic/event procedures (including controller coordination).
        2. Ensure student is able to configure VRC or other VATSIM-approved radar clients appropriately for Tower controlling, including vATIS or other automated ATIS software.
        3. Training will include classroom lectures, sweatbox training, and live network training.  Training in sweatbox and on the network will usually be carried out at KPDX or KGEG.
        4. Students nearing readiness for OTS examination and promotion to S2 may be granted a solo endorsement at KPDX or KGEG to allow them to handle live network traffic in preparation for their OTS examination.  Up to 3 solo endorsement periods of 30 days each may be granted. Students are strongly encouraged to ask other controllers and training staff to monitor them during their time working a tower position under their solo endorsement and to “debrief” solo sessions with training staff to receive feedback.
      4. S2 Promotion and Authorization
        1. Once the student has received his or her first “Over The Shoulder” (OTS) recommendation from a training staff member, the student will be assigned the VATUSA S2 exam.
        2. Once the student has both passed the VATUSA S2 exam and received his or her second OTS recommendation, the student will be eligible for an OTS examination for promotion to S2.
        3. Ordinarily, at least one OTS recommendation will be expected to have been given by an Instructor, but this requirement may be waived at the discretion of the TA.
        4. Upon student demonstrating VATSIM competencies for the S2 rating and satisfactory command of local restrictions/requirements, promote student to S2.  This will be achieved through a live network OTS examination carried out by an Instructor.
        5. S2 students are authorized to control Minor Tower at any VATUSA Seattle ARTCC Airport excluding KSEA.
      5. Major Tower Endorsement
        1. After promotion to S2 and having received the Major Ground/Delivery endorsement, a student may request training for an endorsement to work Major Tower at Seattle-Tacoma Intl Airport (KSEA).
        2. Initial training will include classroom sessions to familiarize students with KSEA tower procedures, Bravo airspace matters (including charted and uncharted VFR transitions), closely spaced parallel runway operations, and other matters by reference to the relevant portion of the S2 syllabus.
        3. After initial training, the student will be assigned KSEA Local Controller exam.
        4. Supplemental training may include sweatbox and live training.
        5. Upon student passing the KSEA Local Controller exam and demonstrating satisfactory knowledge of S2 responsibilities at KSEA, endorse student for Major Tower. Ordinarily, this will be achieved through a live network session carried out or observed by an Instructor or, at the discretion of the TA, by a Mentor.
        6. S2 students endorsed for Major Tower are authorized to control all VATUSA Seattle ARTCC airports.
      6. ZSE Accelerated S2 Training Program
        1. S1 students may request permission from the TA to combine Minor and Major Tower training and undertake accelerated combined training towards promotion to S2 with the Major Tower endorsement in a single step.  Students wishing to undertake this program must arrange a written recommendation from a member of the training staff and submit it with their request to the TA.  This is a highly challenging program and should not be undertaken lightly.
        2. Students undertaking the Accelerated S2 Program will receive training on both Minor and Major Tower positions and may choose to undertake their OTS examination at KSEA.  To obtain promotion to S2 with MajorTower endorsement, the student must demonstrate satisfactory command of both Minor and Major tower procedures, including Charlie and Delta airspace requirements, simultaneous dependent parallel operations, and other relevant elements of the ZSE S2 syllabus.
    4. TMA Controller (S3) Training
      1. Pre-requisites
        1. S2 Rating
        2. Cover the S3 Training Syllabus in the ZSE Document Center.
      2. Upon promotion to S2 and endorsement for Major Tower, a student may begin working towards S3 rating, though it is strongly recommended that a student first build reasonable time handling live traffic on Tower positions (including KSEA once the student has received a Major Tower endorsement) in order to progress more rapidly and efficiently once undertaking radar approach training.
      3. S3 Training Objectives & Methodology
        1. Familiarize the student with local procedures for Minor Approach/Departure in the P80 TRACON including all SIDS, STARS, simultaneous dependent parallel runway operations at KPDX, charted visual approaches, and high-traffic/event procedures (including controller coordination).
        2. Ensure student is able to configure VRC or other VATSIM-approved radar clients appropriately for P80 approach/departure, including vATIS or other automated ATIS software.
        3. Training will include classroom lectures, sweatbox training, and live network training.  Training in sweatbox and on the network will usually be carried out in the P80 TRACON. Students should expect to receive some training at other TRACONs in the VATUSA Seattle ARTCC.
        4. Students nearing readiness for OTS examination and promotion to S3 may be granted a solo endorsement for Approach/Departure in the P80 TRACON to allow them to handle live network traffic in preparation for their OTS examination.  Up to 3 solo endorsement periods of 30 days each may be granted. Students are strongly encouraged to ask other controllers and training staff to monitor them during their time working an approach/departure position under their solo endorsement and to “debrief” solo sessions with training staff to receive feedback.
      4. S3 Promotion and Authorization
        1. Once the student has received his or her first “Over The Shoulder” (OTS) recommendation from a training staff member, the student will be assigned the VATUSA S3 exam.
        2. Once the student has both passed the VATUSA S3 exam and received his or her second OTS recommendation, the student will be eligible for an OTS examination for promotion to S3.
        3. Ordinarily, at least one OTS recommendation will be expected to have been given by an Instructor, but this requirement may be waived at the discretion of the TA.
        4. Upon student demonstrating VATSIM competencies for the S3 rating and satisfactory command of local restrictions/requirements, promote student to S3.  This will be achieved through a live network OTS examination carried out by an Instructor.
        5. S3 students are authorized to control any TRACON in the VATUSA Seattle ARTCC excluding S46.
      5. Major Approach Endorsement
        1. After promotion to S3 and having received a Major Tower endorsement, a student may request training for a Major Approach endorsement to work the S46 TRACON.
        2. Initial training will include classroom sessions to familiarize students with S46 SIDs, STARs, simultaneous dependent approaches to closely spaced parallel runways at KSEA, charted visual approaches, and high-traffic/event procedures (including controller coordination).
        3. Supplemental training may include sweatbox and live training.
        4. Upon student demonstrating satisfactory knowledge of S3 responsibilities in the S46 TRACON, endorse student for Major Approach. Ordinarily, this will be achieved through a live network session carried out or observed by an Instructor or, at the discretion of the TA, by a Mentor.
        5. S3 students endorsed for Major Approach are authorized to control all VATUSA Seattle ARTCC TRACONs.
      6. ZSE Accelerated S3 Training Program
        1. S3 students may request permission from the TA to combine Minor and Major Approach training and undertake accelerated combined training towards promotion to S3 with the Major Approach endorsement in a single step.  Students wishing to undertake this program must arrange a written recommendation from a member of the training staff and submit it with their request to the TA.  This is a highly challenging program and should not be undertaken lightly.
        2. Students undertaking the Accelerated S3 Training Program will receive training on both Minor and Major Approach positions and may choose to undertake their OTS examination in the S46 TRACON.  To obtain promotion to S3 with Major Approach endorsement, the student must demonstrate satisfactory command of both the P80 and S46 TRACONs and their respective procedures, SIDs and STARs, both simultaneous dependent and dependent approaches, and other relevant elements of the ZSE S3 syllabus.
  1. Enroute Controller (C1) Training
      1. Pre-requisites
        1. S3 Rating with Major Approach endorsement
        2. Cover the C1 Training Syllabus in the ZSE Document Center.
      2. Upon promotion to S3 and endorsement for Major Approach, a student may begin working towards C1 rating, though it is strongly recommended that a student first build reasonable time handling live traffic on Approach positions (including both S46 and P80) in order to progress more rapidly and efficiently once undertaking enroute training.
      3. C1 Training Objectives & Methodology
        1. Familiarize the student with local procedures for Enroute Controlling in the VATUSA Seattle ARTCC.
        2. Ensure student is able to configure VRC or other VATSIM-approved radar clients appropriately for enroute controlling.
        3. Training will include limited classroom lectures and live network training.
        4. Students nearing readiness for OTS examination and promotion to C1 may be granted a solo endorsement for Center to allow them to handle live network traffic in preparation for their OTS examination.  Up to 3 solo endorsement periods of 30 days each may be granted. Students are strongly encouraged to ask other controllers and training staff to monitor them during their time working an enroute position under their solo endorsement and to “debrief” solo sessions with training staff to receive feedback.
      4. C1 Promotion and Authorization
        1. Once the student has received his or her first “Over The Shoulder” (OTS) recommendation from a training staff member, the student will be assigned the VATUSA C1 exam.
        2. Once the student has both passed the VATUSA C1 exam and received his or her second OTS recommendation, the student will be eligible for an OTS examination for promotion to C1.
        3. Ordinarily, at least one OTS recommendation will be expected to have been given by an Instructor, but this requirement may be waived at the discretion of the TA.
        4. Upon student demonstrating VATSIM competencies for the C1 rating and satisfactory command of local restrictions/requirements, promote student to C1.  This will be achieved through a live network OTS examination carried out by an Instructor.
        5. C1 controllers are authorized to control all positions in the VATUSA Seattle ARTCC.
  2. SYLLABUS/WAIVERS:
    1. Instructors and Mentors shall ensure all students meet the requirements as outlined by the VATUSA Seattle ARTCC syllabi, VATUSA, and the VATSIM GRP prior to completing their current training position.
    2. Any and/or all requirements in this document may be waived at the discretion of the Air Traffic Manager/Training Administrator on an individual basis.

 

Change Log

Ver 5.1  Correction to mistaken references to "tower" in solo endorsement sections for S3 and C1. [Nov 15, 2018]