VATUSA Training Policies

Promotions

Is it really worth it?
What you can do to be promoted
What else you should know
The VATUSA Promotion Process
VATUSA Promotional Standards

Sure, you can still control at the Senior Student level, but think about this. When you took the written test to get your certificate, it was a small but significant step. You were willing to do more than just click on a link and start up a game. Most likely, you want to be good at this, and a promotion to a higher level confirms you are making progress and that your are recognized for your effort. If you're going to control aircraft in a simulated environment, why not make it realistic? Be good at it! Our core team of Training Administrators are FAA certified controllers, or they have been in the past, real world pilots, or extremely talented and dedicated virtual controllers. The courses and tests were developed by them to bring us closer to what air traffic control is like in the real world.

What you can do to be promoted

Read the study guides. It takes a little time, but you'll enjoy yourself much more when you've learned the material and you're more confident that you're doing it the right way.
Practice what you've learned. Ideally, spend some time in your ARTCC with a VATUSA instructor. Time and experience are the biggest teachers.
Ask your ARTCC Training Administrator to recommend you to your ARTCC assigned instructor. For Senior Student thru Senior Controller, your ARTCC instructor will give you some additional written tests, and then evaluated while you are controlling traffic for a short period. Based on your evaluations, unless you've really been goofing off, you'll reach the next level. After reaching Senior Controller level, you might want to try your hand at becoming an instructor. It's up to you.

What else you should know

Promotions are based on ability. You cannot skip levels, or get an express pass based on who you know. Promotions are based strictly on your ability, attitude, and commitment.

Promotions can take some time. Generally, the entire process for promotion takes about two weeks, start to finish. Schedules need to be coordinated, credentials and experience checked, tests graded, and ratings files changed. It is not an instantaneous process. You are welcome to check on the status at any time by contacting the training director.

You must have a recommendation. This, in the vast majority of cases, must come from the Training Administrator. If you are concerned about receiving a recommendation, please evaluate the "why" of that question before contacting the training department for an appeal. It is the general procedure of this department to support the Training Administrator's decision regarding recommendations.

The VATUSA Promotion Process

Students not enrolled in the VATUSA Academy must have been in their current rating for at least 30 days (each level) for a promotion to Senior Student, and 30 days (each level) for promotions to Controller to Senior Controller. Note: should this restriction be waived for any special circumstance, the Training Administrator must notify the VATUSA Training Director immediately.
Promotions in the student and controller levels are handled by your assigned Training Administrator or Instructor. Promotions at the Instructor level are handled by the VATUSA Training Director.
The Student/Controller must successfully pass a multiple-choice exam with a minimum score of 80% based on the level that he/she is attempting to qualify for. Student and Controller tests are open book.
The student must successfully pass an over-the-shoulder evaluation administered by the Training Administrator, or by an ARTCC Staff Instructor.

VATUSA Promotional Standards

All students will be evaluated and promoted through the level of Senior Student by the Air Traffic Manager, Deputy, or the instructor of your ARTCC. You are by no means restrict to controlling within your assigned ARTCC, however, for evaluation purposes and promotional advancement, all students should contact their Training Administrator for the purpose of setting up periodic testing, whether written, oral, or the monitoring of performance on ASRC/VRC. Standards for student advancement are as follows:

Student - Student is received at the time you successfully pass the Basic ATC/Observer written exam. New students who pass this exam will be automatically enrolled in the VATUSA Training Academy.

Senior Student - Ground Control/Tower - Guidelines for advancement to Senior Student require that you have downloaded the study packets and reference materials on the training page, and have made yourself familiar with the materials. You must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skill necessary to control at the Tower level and below. A written exam will consist of an "open book" test with questions derived from a test pool. After receiving a passing score of 80% or higher, a practical "over-the-shoulder" test will be given in one or more radar client sessions within your ARTCC, or at the candidates ARTCC according to the student's preference. Additional practical testing is conducted at the Training Administrator's discretion.

It should be noted that students currently enrolled in the VATUSA Training Academy will be required to follow the promotion process that is outlined in the Academy Standard Operating Procedures for promotion to the Senior Student level..

Controller - Departure/Approach - Guidelines for advancement to Controller require that you have downloaded the study packets and reference materials on the training page, and have made yourself familiar with the materials. You must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skill necessary to control at the Approach level and below. A written exam will consist of an "open book" test with questions derived from a test pool. After receiving a passing score of 80% or higher, a practical "over-the-shoulder" test will be given in one or more radar client sessions within your ARTCC, or at the candidates ARTCC according to the student's preference. Additional practical testing is conducted at the Training Administrator's discretion.

Senior Controller - Center - Guidelines for advancement to Controller require that you have downloaded the study packets and reference materials on the training page, and have made yourself familiar with the materials. You must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skill necessary to control at the Center level and below. A written exam will consist of an "open book" test with questions derived from a test pool. After receiving a passing score of 80% or higher, a practical "over-the-shoulder" test will be given in one or more radar client sessions within your ARTCC, or at the candidates ARTCC according to the student's preference. Additional practical testing is conducted at the Training Administrator's discretion.