VATUSA Training Policies

Rating Procedures

Training Administrator and Staff Instructor Ratings
Rating Downgrades
ARTCC Assignment
Qualification/Certification
Student and Controller Ratings
Testing Conduct
Scoring and Retests

Training Administrator and Staff Instructor Ratings

Instructors hold the following ratings: Instructor and Senior Instructor, according to their assignment. The designation specifies the individual's current duties, and doesn't necessarily reflect skill level or ranking. Instructor ratings are not to be considered as a promotion from the Controller rating, but rather as an "assignment." Every instructor is expected to actively instruct. In order to retain the instructor rating, a minimum level of activity is expected. This could be performing OJT, testing, certification, or other duties in direct support of VATUSA training activities. If the minimum retention requirements, as determined by the Training Director, are not maintained, the individual's ranking (rating) will revert to the Senior Controller level. All Instructors must be assigned to an ARTCC.

Rating Downgrades

The VATUSA Training Director has the authority to remove Instructor and Senior Instructor ratings at any time. It should be understood that in the event that a Training Administrator resigns, their rating will be changed to Instructor if they intend to Instruct, and if they wish to resign from Training all together, their rating shall be changed to Senior Controller. In the event that an Instructor resigns, their rating shall be changed to Senior Controller. In the event that a controller from another Region/Division transfers in to VATUSA holding a Instructor or Senior Instructor rating, VATUSA reserves the right to downgrade that rating to a Senior Controller. Also, it should be noted that if a Controller transfers ARTCC's, he/she will loose his/her Instructor rating immediately.

Finally, since VATUSA Instructors are members of the Division Training Staff, any violation of the VATSIM CoC that results in a suspension, regardless of the length of time, will ultimately result in the member losing his or her Instructor privileges for a period of no less than six (6) months, as determined by the VATUSA Training Director.

ARTCC Assignment

Upon graduation from the Training Academy, new VATUSA Students will select up to three (3) ARTCCs that they wish to join, with the first of the three being their first choice. The VATUSA Training Director is responsible for approving all ARTCC assignment requests once notification has been received that the student has officially graduated.

Once assigned to an ARTCC the student has the option to guest control at other facilities but it will be the responsibility of the Training Administrator or designated Staff Instructor at the student's assigned ARTCC to oversee promotion up to the Senior Controller rating. Therefore, students are encouraged to spend most of their time at their assigned ARTCC.

Qualification/Certification

The Controller's designated Training Representative shall administer a written and practical exam to determine the controller's qualification after the controller has met all requirements set forth by policy in his/her ARTCC. The exam will be administered within fourteen (14) days from the date of request and is conducted at a time and place convenient to the controller and the examiner. Whenever possible, the instructor chosen to administer any examination will not have been the student's principle instructor during training.

Student and Controller Ratings

Level	Requirements
Student	Pass online Academy Entrance Exam after receiving certification number and password from VATSIM. Student is automatically enrolled in the VATUSA Training Academy. The student must be specifically assigned to the VATUSA division. A division choice of "none" is not acceptable.
Senior Student	Has Basic ATC knowledge including clearance delivery, radar client usage, FP interpretation, beacon codes, altitude assignments, etc. The student knows the essential elements of Ground Control and Tower The student has knowledge of airspace and airport operations, including Aircraft identification, coordination, communications, etc. Upon successfully graduating from the Academy, the student is upgraded to the Senior Student rating.
Controller	Demonstrates knowledge and skill necessary to control at the Tower level and below. Advanced Tower elements are included in the online test.
Senior Controller	Demonstrates knowledge and skill necessary to control at the Approach/Departure level and below. Advanced Approach Control elements are included in the online test. Demonstrates knowledge and skill needed to control at the ARTCC level and below. Advanced Center elements are included in the online test.
Instructor	Demonstrates knowledge and skills needed to conduct classes, provide practical instruction, and has demonstrated the human skills and patience required for such a position. Maintains this classification by serving in an active role as an instructor.

Testing Conduct

Level	Test Conduct
Student	This written exam is conducted online at the invitation of the VATUSA Training Department for new Division members interested in ATC. Passing this exam automatically earns the member the Student rating and enrolls them in the VATUSA Training Academy.
Senior Student	The student while at the Training Academy will undergo a series of written examinations at the invitation of their assigned teacher. After successful completion of all written exams and lesson evaluations the student will undergo required stage check evaluations with an examiner.
Controller to Senior Controller	Written tests are conducted online at the invitation of the Training Administrator or Instructor. The Training Administrator will "register" the student in advance for a specific test. The invitation, is emailed to the student, and they can then log in to the VATUSA Certification Center. After successful completion of the test, a practical "over-the-shoulder" test will be given in one or more radar client sessions at the candidate's ARTCC.
Instructor to Senior Instructor	As determined by the VATUSA Training Director.

Scoring and Retests

VATUSA has established a standard 30-Day waiting period between all promotions from S1 to C3. Should this restriction be waived for any special circumstance, the Training Administrator or Air Traffic Manager must notify the VATUSA Training Director immediately.

Instructor and Senior Instructor upgrade policies set forth by the VATUSA Training Director cannot be waived.

The VATUSA Training Department requires a 30 day waiting period before any failed exams can be retaken.

A minimum passing score of 80% for Student through Senior Controller is required. The VATUSA Training Department also requires a minimum passing score of 80% on the Instructor upgrade exam. All exams for promotion and upgrade are to be administered at the VATUSA Certification Center.