VATUSA
Virtual Air Traffic Simulation - USA Division
Introduction to Ground Control
Now you see what can happen at the easiest of positions when the traffic reaches the higher levels. It can happen to the best of us. This position will teach you three more lessons in ATC. In the following sections, you will learn the following core competencies:
From VATUSA - Vatusa Rating Guidelines v1.0 (S1 Training Item IV)
IV. Ground Control Procedures
A. Movement and Non-Movement Areas
i. Demonstrates knowledge of difference between two areas
ii. Correctly identifies each area at the airport controlling
B. Taxi and Ground Movement Operations
i. Correctly sequences aircraft to runway
ii. Demonstrates appropriate use of valid progressive taxi instructions
iii. Demonstrates use of correct phraseology
C. Helicopter Taxi Operations
i. Understands difference between Air Taxi and Hover
ii. Keeps aircraft clear of helicopter taxi path Taxi
A. Movement and Non-Movement Areas
i. Demonstrates knowledge of difference between two areas
ii. Correctly identifies each area at the airport controlling
B. Taxi and Ground Movement Operations
i. Correctly sequences aircraft to runway
ii. Demonstrates appropriate use of valid progressive taxi instructions
iii. Demonstrates use of correct phraseology
C. Helicopter Taxi Operations
i. Understands difference between Air Taxi and Hover
ii. Keeps aircraft clear of helicopter taxi path Taxi
- The Most important lesson one can learn in ATC is to maintain your alertness. If you are not on your toes ALL the time, watch out, for that is when errors are made. The best strategy is to first scan your entire area of responsibility, then prioritize deciding which is the most important situation to deal with, then speak the clearance to deal with that situation. Repeat - scan, prioritize & speak.
- Always be sure to keep the frequency usage to the minimum, by using correct phraseology and if need be shorten your phraseology to get across your instructions. Advantage on ground, is that the aircraft can still hold a position, not so when flying, which makes this lesson so valuable when progressing to busier positions. Some instructors have suggested thinking of having to pay a fee every time you push you mic PTT button. Try to do as much as you can in the fewest transmissions. That is the key to staying ahead of the situation when it gets busy.
Next you will learn what your responsibilities as a ground controller are.
