VATUSA Training Policies

Roles/Responsibilities

VATUSA Training Director
Air Traffic Manager
Training Administrator
Staff Instructor

VATUSA Training Director

The VATUSA Training Director ensures for the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the training program. In addition, the VATUSA Training Director is responsible for:

Working directly with Assistant Directors on training issues and provides ATC expertise to aid them in their decisions on operational issues.
Ensuring that training programs are planned, conducted, assessed, and improved on a continuous basis.
Maintaining a staff of Training Administrators to recruit and nominate Staff Instructor candidates.
Monitoring the performance and activity of Training Administrators and Staff Instructors.
Maintaining close communication with Assistant Directors and ARTCC ATMs on training matters.
Initiating action to ensure instructor coverage is adequate at all ARTCCs.

The Air Traffic Manager (ATM) is responsible for everything in his/her ARTCC. However, in regards to training, he/she has a few special requirements. The Air Traffic Manager is to nominate a Training Administrator, which is approved by the VATUSA Training Department. The ATM is also responsible for ensuring that the Training Administrator is active, and is handling requests as needed.

In the event the ARTCC is without a Training Administrator, the Air Traffic Manager shall assume the duties of Training Administrator until a suitable candidate is nominated and then approved by the VATUSA Training Department. While assuming the Training Administrator duties, the Air Traffic Manager is required to follow the procedures outlined in this document.

The Air Traffic Manager has the authority to remove an Instructor from an ARTCC Staff and may release the Training Administrator from his/her duties at his/her discretion. Such changes shall not be considered in effect until formal notification has been sent from the Air Traffic Manager to the VATUSA Training Department and a receipt of notification has, in turn, been received.

Training Administrator

Training Administrators are responsible to, and work in support of their Air Traffic Manager in their daily activities. However, they are certified by the VATUSA Training Department, and follow the procedures outlined in this document.

VATUSA Training Administrators provides guidance to the Staff Instructors at the center level and any other duties deemed necessary by the Training Director. The VATUSA Training Department will work with the Training Administrator to insure that the Staff Instructor positions are filled and maintained. The VATUSA Training Department shall administer all written and practical testing from Controller to Senior Controller, and to Senior Student in the event the member was not eligible for enrollment in the VATUSA Training Academy, when the Air Traffic Manager or Training Administrator is unavailable. All promotions are sent through the automated promotional system, when a student has satisfactorily completed them.

Each Training Administrator shall have on staff, from 3 to 5 Staff Instructors for their facility. Candidates for the Staff Instructor position shall be recommended to the VATUSA Training Department. They are certified by the VATUSA Training Department, and follow the procedures outlined in this document.

The Training Administrator holds the authority to remove any Staff Instructor, if they have sufficient grounds. In this case, the VATUSA Training Director must be notified immediately. Such changes shall not be considered in effect until formal notification has been sent from the Training Administrator to the VATUSA Training Department and a receipt of notification has, in turn, been received.

Staff Instructor

The assigned Instructor shall administer all written and practical testing from Controller to Senior Controller, and to Senior Student, in the event the member was not eligible for enrollment in the VATUSA Training Academy. All promotions are sent through the automated promotional system, when a student has satisfactorily completed them. In addition, Instructors should:

Establish a training syllabus for each student in the ARTCC in conjunction with the Training Administrator
Conduct Over The Shoulder (OTS) testing
Provide feedback to the individual after each performance.
Assist the Training Admininstrator in assigning written examinations via the VATUSA Certification Center.
Maintain a minimum average of 10 hours per month online as an instructor.