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3. APS-008 Mentor Program Policy

Mentor Program

 

APS-008

Version 2

ZSE Senior Staff

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

 

1. PURPOSE:

 

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

 

2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

This APS shall be maintained, revised, updated, or canceled by the 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.

 

4. CANCELLATION:

 

APS-003 v1.00 dated 06/01/2009 is canceled.

APS-003 v1.50 dated 10/01/2013 is canceled.

APS-003 v1.50 dated 10/01/2013 renamed APS-008 v1.50 effective 10/01/2013.

APS-008 v1.50 dated 10/01/2013 is canceled

APS-008 v1.51 dated 10/06/2017 is canceled.

 

5. BACKGROUND:

 

The Mentor Program will be established to augment the Instructor Staff in providing training. Mentors are controllers who are willing to volunteer their time to provide instruction to other controllers who are willing to volunteer their time to provide instruction to other controllers. Mentors are primarily intended to support the orientation and initial training of Student and Sr. Student grad controllers, as described in the Training Program ARTCC Policy Statement (APS_007).

 

6. MENTOR PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

 

a. The Training Administrator (TA), Deputy Training Administrator (DTA), or their designee will be responsible to the Air Traffic Manager for monitoring the success of the mentor program. The TA, DTA, or their designee will be responsible for ensuring mentors remain active. Mentors are required to control at least 2 hours per month and mentor at least 6 sessions per month.

 

b. A rating of S-2 or higher is required.

 

c. A candidate mentor may be any controller who can meet the requirements for the mentor rating as listed in the Facility and Equipment Rating Policy Statement. Candidates should apply to the TA, DTA, or their designee.

 

d. The Mentor rating shall have an expiration period as set forth in the Facility and Equipment Rating Policy Statement (APS-006). This is to ensure that mentors stay abreast of current developments, and that accurate information is being disseminated through this channel. The ATM, DATM, TA, or DTA may revoke or suspend a controller’s mentor rating as they see fit.

 

e. A list of authorized mentors will be maintained on the VATUSA Seattle ARTCC Staff page and Controller Roster page.

 

f. Mentors are restricted to instruct only in those areas of knowledge required by their current rating or lower. In addition, in order to instruct on any newly attained positions by the mentor, the mentor must get approved to train on the new position by the DTA/TA. (Example: An S-3 Minor Approach rated Mentor cannot mentor/monitor an S-3 on Major Approach)

 

g. The primary instruction method for mentors should be “On the Job Training” (OJT) sessions. When conducting a session the mentor will use the “M”, and the student the “S” modifier in their call signs, per the Communications Standard Operations Policy (SOP-001). The mentor is responsible to ensure the student adheres to all SOPs and practices. The student will be assumed to be the operational controller of the position by adjacent facilities unless they are explicitly informed otherwise.

 

h. Mentors and students may also engage in “non-operational” training sessions when logged on as an observer using Discord to communicate.

 

i. Mentors are required to study and apply the Training Program Policy Statement (APS-007).

 

j. Mentors may not administer any promotional OTS, or assign any examinations. Any promotional OTS, or examinations must be conducted by an Instructor.