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1
. How do I become a VATUSA Air Traffic Controller?
This entry is for users wishing to begin their ATC training/certification for the first time ONLY.
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2
. How do I rejoin as a controller after I've been away?
VATUSA members wishing to rejoin after less than six (6) months inactive:
VATUSA members wishing to rejoin after six (6) or more months away: Welcome back! Before selecting the subdivision that you'd like to return to, you'll need to complete a Rating Competency Exam (RCE) appropriate to your rating:
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3
. I am a controller from a different Division and/or Region but would like to become a controller at VATUSA (transfer or visitor). How do I get started?
Excellent; we'd love to have you!
If you plan to visit one or more VATUSA subdivisions, follow the steps below. Please review VATUSA DP-001, available on our Policies & Downloads page. Verify that you are eligible to visit in accordance with all VATSIM and VATUSA policies. You can use the transfer eligibility checklist to help. Before selecting the subdivision(s) that you'd like to visit, you'll need to complete a Rating Competency Exam (RCE) appropriate to your rating:
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4
. Why can I not submit a transfer request?
Transfer requests are restricted by division policy until you meet all eligibility requirements. A checklist on your My VATUSA Profile will explain why you are not eligible to transfer.
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5
. I put in a transfer request, but wish to cancel it. What do I do?
If the transfer request has not been approved already, you should submit a ticket to the facility where you submitted your transfer request to request it be canceled. If the transfer request has already been approved, you will need to wait 90 days before being able to transfer again, as indicated by our division policy. Not sure if your request has been approved? Check for a red cross icon next to the "You do not have pending transfers" transfer eligibility check on your profile. |
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6
. How do I change my region? How do I change my division?
Before going further, make sure you can answer the following questions:
Transfers Between Regions Members wishing to transfer to a subdivision located in a different region than their current division should submit a MyVATSIM Region Change request here.
Transfers Between Divisions (Within AMAS Region ONLY) Members wishing to remain in the VATSIM Americas (AMAS) region but change divisions must submit a request (via email) to the Director of the division they wish to transfer into. Transferring Into VATUSA
Transferring Out Of VATUSA
After an intra-region transfer is approved, processing can take up to 24 hours. |
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7
. How do I change my name (including preferred name) or email address?
VATUSA user information is automatically updated to match VATSIM data. We are not permitted to modify user names or email addresses. To request a change to your VATSIM-registered name, please visit VATSIM's Membership Support Portal. To change your VATSIM-registered email address, please use the MyVATSIM Email Update Self-Service Tool. |
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8
. I forgot my password, now what?
VATUSA web services use VATSIM's authorization service. We do not store user passwords, nor will our staff ever ask for your password. If you have forgotten your VATSIM password, use the MyVATSIM Password Reset Self-Service Tool to reset it. |
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9
. I'm a real-world air traffic controller, do I still have to complete VATUSA's training before controlling?
Requests for exceptions to specific training requirements for real-world controllers are assessed case-by-case. Please contact our staff by opening a support ticket assigned to the "VATUSA Academy" facility. Here's what you can expect: U.S. Controllers (FAA, Military, Contract): Controllers certified in the United States may be exempted from the VATUSA Academy theory courses (and their associated exams) by completing the VATUSA Rating Competency Exam (RCE), which matches their real-world training. As a first step, you will be asked to submit proof of your real-world certification to our team via email to [email protected]. Usually, this is an AOV Credential Card or CTO Certificate. You should feel free to redact any information you believe to be sensitive except your full name (matching your VATSIM-registered name) and the name of the real-world facility where you are currently certified. Once our team has reviewed your documentation, you will be assigned the appropriate Rating Competency Exam. All RCEs are cumulative, including material from "lower" ratings, and must be passed to exempt you from the appropriate Academy courses. We cannot exempt any members from completing practical training at the subdivision of their choice. Subdivisions may elect to exempt you from some practical training in accordance with their approved training policies - these requests should be made to the subdivision TA at the end of this process. Exemptions are processed based on the real-world certifications you hold. If you are...
U.S. CTI Program Graduates or Non-U.S. Controllers: Controllers not certified (or not yet certified) in the United States are not eligible for an exemption from training and should complete the training process as usual. As the FAA adjusts hiring standards for CTI graduates, we will consider including U.S. CTI graduates in some exemption categories, but this is not yet the case. |
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10
. I'm a real-world pilot, do I still have to complete VATUSA's training before controlling?
Yes! While we recognize that many real-world pilots possess significant knowledge of instrument procedures and air traffic operations as active participants in the real-world National Airspace System, taking up the microphone and acting as an air traffic controller requires additional training. Your existing knowledge will be an asset in your training and development and may accelerate your progress, but we are unable to exempt real-world pilots from ATC training requirements. We look forward to working with you to expose you to a fun and exciting new perspective of the world you love as a pilot! |
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11
. What do I do if I have been suspended?
If you have been suspended from the VATSIM network, you are not permitted to connect to VATSIM servers or participate in training for the duration of the suspension. All suspension appeals should be directed toward the VATSIM Supervisor team. Upon suspension, you will automatically be removed from any controlling roster (both home and visiting) and any staff role(s) you currently hold. At the conclusion of your suspension, you WILL NOT be automatically added back onto any controlling rosters or staff roles. In order to rejoin a home facility, please submit a transfer request. If you are not currently eligible to submit a transfer request and require assistance, please submit a ticket to the ZHQ facility and assign the ticket to VATUSA2. Please note that it is your responsibility to contact the appropriate facility staff to be added back into any controlling rosters or staff positions. |
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1
. I noticed an error on the VATUSA website, who do I contact?
You can let us know by opening a ticket assigned to the ZHQ facility. |
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2
. I noticed an error on my subdivision's website. Who should I contact?
Each subdivision manages its own web services and has its own web staff. You can notify them of an error by contacting the subdivision staff directly or opening a ticket assigned to the appropriate subdivision. |
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1
. I just joined VATUSA and I cannot see any courses. What do I do?
Please follow these steps to ensure that you are properly enrolled in the VATUSA Training Academy:
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2
. I completed all of the necessary activities, but I cannot access the exam. What do I do?
To unlock an exam, you must complete all required prerequisites. For the Basic ATC/S1 Exam, this includes completing the Trainee Orientation, ATC Basics, Clearance Delivery, and Ground Control courses. All other ratings require only the associated course (e.g., the Local Control course is the prerequisite for the S2 Exam).
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3
. What if I fail a rating exam three times?
Basic ATC/S1 Exam We grant you three attempts to pass the exam with a minimum score of 80%. After failing the first time, there is a twenty-four (24) hour delay. After failing the second time, there is a seven (7) day delay. After failing the third time, you must open a support ticket assigned to the VATUSA Academy, requesting additional attempts. Additional attempts will be made available to students no sooner than 30 days after our team reviews your support ticket. While we understand these lengthy delays between exam attempts may feel cumbersome, they help to prevent new members from "blasting through" the exams and finding their way to a subdivision without the necessary level of knowledge. Students are reminded that all exams are open book/open notes, and untimed. Please use your resources (not including assistance from any other individual) to your advantage, and thoroughly explore the material before attempting the exam.
S2, S3, or C1 Exams If you fail the exam three times, please contact your subdivision's training staff (either the Training Administrator or another designated staff member) for permission to reattempt the exam. When we receive a request from your subdivision's training staff, we will grant permission for additional attempts. Please do not contact VATUSA staff or open a support ticket with VATUSA to regain access; instead, ask your subdivision's training staff to do so. |
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4
. Why are some of my exam questions not graded?
Whether or not a student answers an experimental question correctly, it will not count towards their final grade. Every final exam for a rating contains two ungraded questions that are sourced from an experimental category bank. Similar to FAA pilot knowledge tests, experimental questions allow VATUSA staff to try out new question types and content without affecting the final grade. Once a question has been determined to be fair and effective, it will be moved into a graded category and replaced with another experimental question. |
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5
. What if I haven't finished the course by the end of the 30-day enrollment period?
If your 30-day enrollment period ends, please follow the appropriate guidance based on the exam: Basic ATC/S1 Rating Exams and All Rating Competency Exams: Open a support ticket assigned to the VATUSA Academy requesting additional time. S2, S3, and C1 Rating Exams: Contact your facility training department with a request to extend your enrollment period. They must submit a request to the VATUSA Training Team to extend your access. VATUSA staff will not extend your access to these rating courses without a request from your subdivision. |
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6
. I'm ready to start the Academy course for my next rating. What do I do?
VATUSA subdivisions are responsible for enrolling their students in the VATUSA Academy courses for S2, S3, and C1 at the appropriate time in their training procedure. Please review your home subdivision's training procedures for more information on when these courses will be offered to you. If you cannot find any information, please contact your home subdivision's staff for assistance. VATUSA staff will not enroll you in these rating courses without a request from your subdivision. |
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7
. I noticed an error in my facility's exam or training material. Who do I contact?
You should contact your instructor or Training Administrator. You can either email them or submit a ticket to that facility. |
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8
. I just completed my Basic ATC/S1 exam. Which subdivision should I join?
Congratulations on passing your exam! There's no set formula for choosing which subdivision to begin your ATC journey at. Every user approaches this choice with a number of factors affecting their decision. To help guide you, we've assembled some of the more detailed answers to this question from our community below. Brandon Barrett: It depends on what kind of environment that suites you as a person. Each ARTCC is unique in their own way beyond airspace and traffic level. Each ARTCC truly has their own group of folks with strong comradery both on and outside of VATSIM through live in person events and other stuff. There are controllers that join an ARTCC just because they live in the area and it turns out the style of controllers or environment doesn't fit well with them. If you are looking for a relaxed environment there are ARTCCs out there for you. If you are looking for the most realistic approach to every detail there are ARTCCs out there for you. If you are looking for the happy medium, guess what, there's ARTCCs out there for you. If you are looking to hang out fly with fellow controllers or indulge in other games there's an ARTCC out there for you. A "popular", busy, big, ARTCC doesn't mean it will fit for you at the end of the day. Anthony Santanastaso: Many people are drawn to the “major” / “sophisticated” facilities because of the glamour and appeal of working LAX, BOS, JFK, etc. But I write to tell you that had I persisted with joining ZNY in 2004/2005 before I was ready to do so, I would have been miserable, my training would’ve lasted an incredibly long time, and who knows whether or not my path would have ended up the way that it has. VATUSA has many excellent facilities that will fit many types of learners. Don’t judge where you go based upon anything other than what suits your learning style and overall readiness. You might in fact be more successful at a place like ZKC, ZLC, ZSE, etc. You can always visit and transfer much later; but be forewarned, there are alliances and friendships that I have established from my ZKC days that I still cherish; you might not want to leave! Ben Lindsey If you choose a facility because you want it to be easy, you're not choosing it for the right reasons. You aren't expected to be super confident in your abilities at this point, so don't let that worry you. Ultimately, choose a facility because you want to be at that facility, not for any other reason. That reason could be the airports, the community or any number of things, but the worst thing you can do is go to a facility because you're looking to train quickly/easily and then transfer out. Matthew Wurzbach I've been thinking about this question a bit because it gets asked all the time. I think some of the fundamental differences in my experience are:
I think that about sums it up. None of these features are inherently good or bad, but certain features will appeal to people looking for a certain kind of experience as controller. |