Progression Guide

Becoming a controller with VATSIM is a rewarding and fun experience, and everyone is welcome to give it a go. Unlike pilots, controllers need to undertake some mandatory training before logging online to control live aircraft on the network. This section gives an overview of the controller "career ladder", and what you need to do at every step in order to progress to the next level. If you have any specific questions about your ATC training, your RTS training staff will be happy to help you.

ATC Ratings

VATSIM operates an ATC ratings system, where your rating determines what you can control on the network. The requirements for attaining each rating is explained in this section. Each rating is listed and explained below.

• Observer - this is the default rating for all members. Can connect to the network and observe live traffic and ATC, but cannot control.
• Student 1 (S1) - Ground rated controller & Tower Trainee
• Student 2 (S2) - Tower rated controller.
• Senior Student (S3) - Approach rated controller.
• Controller (C1) - Area rated controller.
• Senior Controller (C3) - Recognition rating for long-standing members.

Theory Training – E-Learning

All ATC theory material is held within VATSIM-UKs e-learning area. This can be accessed at moodle.vatsim-uk.co.uk.

You should select the course for the rating you are working towards and study all the material. Once you are happy with your knowledge you can take the theory exam to test your knowledge.

Currently the only e-learning course available is for OBS rated members. Courses for other ratings are currently under construction.

Theory Exams

In order to progress through the controller ratings, you will need to take a series of theory exams along the way as part of your training. The following is standard across all theory exams:

• The exam will consist of 20 multiple choice questions selected at random from the database
• The pass mark for all theory exams is 80%
• You will be advised of the result of your exam immediately upon completion, together with a list of questions which you didn't answer correctly
• You have 20 minutes to complete the exam. If your web browser supports Javascript a countdown timer will show your time remaining
• Ensure you answer every question; unanswered questions will score as incorrect answers but will not deduct points from your score
• If you fail the exam there is a 7 day waiting period before you may retake the exam, use this time to read up on the topics you were weaker on
• It is only possible to attempt the theory exam for one level above your current rating i.e. a Student 2 can only attempt the Senior Student (S3) exam

• You must register a pass in the theory exam for the appropriate level before you can be submitted for the practical exam

Observer (OBS) -> Student 1 (S1)

Before you start training with us at VATSIM-UK, make sure you follow the steps on the Join Us page to get started.

As an Observer, you can log onto the network to watch other controllers. This is a great way of seeing how your reading material is applied in practice; if you have any questions, and a controller doesn't seem too busy, don't be afraid to ask a few questions about their controlling. Observers should log in with their initials followed by _OBS. For example, if you were Joe Bloggs you would log in as JB_OBS.

Part 1 Exam (Theory)

Make sure that you read the manual for the controller client you wish to use and become familiar with most of its functions. Controller clients and their documentation can be found in our Resources section. If you have any questions about using your client, feel free to ask in our forums.

Visit the VATSIM-UK E-Learnng site where you will find the relevant materials you'll need for your initial theory exam, known as your OBS>S1 Part 1 exam.

This theory exam covers:

• How to log in and start up an ATC position
• What the ATC positions are and their responsibilities
• How to communicate on the ATC channel
• Knowing who is online and what frequency other controllers are using
• General Ground Procedures
• Understanding basic weather (METAR) information
• How to get weather information for different airports
• Knowledge of major and neighbouring ICAO airport codes
• How to use the basic functions of your controller client

When you feel you are ready to take your theory test, log in to the RTS System and select "Theory Exams" from your Student menu. Good luck! If you pass the exam, you will be asked which Regional Training Scheme (RTS) you wish to join for your training. A guide to the different RTSs can be found on our RTS Information page. Once you have joined an RTS, you will receive instructions from your local training staff on how to move towards your OBS>S1 Part 2 exam.

Part 2 Exam (Practical)

The OBS>S1 Part 2 exam is a short practical assessment carried out by your mentor. You are not expected to be perfect in every aspect, and assistance and guidance will be provided throughout. You are expected to demonstrate that you have some understanding, and capability to improve with practice, on the following points:

• Situational awareness
• Evaluating traffic
• Recognising potential conflict in ground movement
• Planning and prioritising
• Using appropriate RT

Your mentor will go through each point helping you to understand what is required and testing your knowledge. If your mentor feels you are capable in these basic competencies, congratulations! You have successfully passed your OBS>S1 Part 2 exam and you are now ready to control solo on the network for the first time as an S1. Your upgrade to the Student 1 (S1) rating is a manual process, so please allow up to 48 hours for it to take place. You will receive an email when the database has been updated, and will be able to log on as soon as you receive this.

As a Student 1 (S1) you may control any DEL or GND positions in VATSIM-UK, with the exception of London Heathrow (EGLL), which requires a major validation. When moving onto new positions, make sure you read up on the appropriate documentation and fetch the resources you need in order to give your pilots the best service possible. Now it's time to consolidate your knowledge, get some experience and enjoy your new rating!

Student 1 (S1) -> Student 2 (S2)

Your training now moves onto Tower, and the skills required as a tower controller will be steadily introduced to you. Once your mentor deems you "Satisfactory" in all aspects of the aerodrome criteria, you will be issued with a Solo Tower Validation (STV). This allows you to practice, at your training airfield only, the skills you have learnt and get more experience on your position. Your training then continues until you are marked "Test Standard" in all aspects of the aerodrome criteria, when you will be forwarded for a pre-exam. The pre-exam is designed to be a busy session for you to practice your skills ahead of your exam.

Once your pre-exam is done and dusted, you will be forwarded for your Tower practical exam. This will be carried out by a VATSIM-UK examiner, who will be assessing you on the following areas:

• Ability to code METARs
• Understanding local operating procedures for the airfield in order to provide satisfactory service and co-ordination to adjacent units
• Understanding local handoff procedures for departing traffic
• Controlling minimum of two aircraft in the VFR circuit
• Communication and co-ordination with adjacent controllers
• Understanding Tower area of responsibility
• Safe separation on the ground and in the air
• Ability to apply reasonable expedition consistent with safety
• Understanding the IFR missed approach procedure
• Go-arounds and where to use them
• Taxi instructions
• VFR aircraft joining and departing the field
• Issuing IFR departure clearances complying with local SIDs and noise abatement procedures
• Standard phraseology in accordance with CAP413

The exam shouldn't last any longer than 90 mins, and the examiner will be on hand to help you if you have any issues. At the end of the exam, you will be told whether you have passed or not. If you have passed, congratulations! You will now be upgraded to Student (S2), giving you the ability to log onto TWR positions solo across the division. After the exam, you will receive detailed feedback through the RTS System on where you performed well and where you were a little weaker. Remember: perfection is not what is being looked for, but an ability to build on your existing experience and knowledge.

If you are not successful in the exam, the examiner will advise you whether you need some more training before re-attempting the exam. There is no minimum waiting period between practical exams.

Student 2 (S2) -> Senior Student (S3)

As a Student 2 controller, your training will now start on Approach (APP). You should continue to hone your skills on Tower, as you will be required to provide top-down cover in the absence of a separate Tower controller.

Before you can take the practical part of the S2>S3 exam, you must complete your Approach theory exam. This is a similar exam as your OBS>S1 Part 1, except that the topics covered relate to Approach:

• Airspace classifications
• Air Traffic Services Outside Controlled Airspace (ATSOCAS)
• Wake separation standards
• Aircraft limitations and performance
• Effects of weather on aircraft performance
• Stack management
• METAR knowledge

There are a number of resources on the VATSIM-UK site which can help you to study these areas; your mentor will also be happy to help.

As with your Tower training, once your mentor deems you "Test Standard", you will be forwarded for your Approach pre-exam. After your pre-exam is out of the way, you will once again be forwarded to take your practical exam, which is carried out by a VATSIM-UK examiner. The exam will cover the following topics:

• Understanding the area of responsibility of the position being controlled
• Understanding local routing procedures, including SIDs and STARs as appropriate
• Understanding difference between IFR, VFR and SVFR
• Complying with local handoff procedures
• Demonstrate knowledge of other control positions in the area
• Aircraft types and performance
• Decoding more advanced METARs
• Using different separation techniques in appropriate circumstances
• Proficiency in vectoring several aircraft for the appropriate approach
• Providing safe separation
• Stack management
• Handling (S)VFR traffic
• Using correct RT
• Communicating and co-ordinating with adjacent controllers
• Applying reasonable expedition consistent with safety

At the end of the exam, you will be advised of your result. If you have passed, congratulations, you are now a Senior Student (S3)! This allows you to control, with the exception of London Heathrow (EGLL), any Approach position in the UK.

Senior Student (S3) -> Controller (C1)

Area positions are the most complex types of ATC position to control, and require a large time commitment in order to learn all the materials and skills needed for the job. Area exams can be carried out on any core London sector (North, South, Central or West) or Scottish Control (EGPX_CTR).

Before you can take your area practical exam, you need to take your last (phew!) theory exam. This exam will cover the following:

• UK airspace and classification
• Interaction between ground speed, airspeed, mach number and altitude
• Air Traffic Services Outside Controlled Airspace (ATSOCAS)
• Aircraft limitations
• Separation standards
• Cruise levels both inside and outside controlled airspace
• METAR knowledge

Before you start your online area training with a mentor, it is expected you spend some time learning the underlying Approach positions for the sector you wish to learn. Students are expected to be reasonably comfortable with the top-down services they may need to provide on their area sector.

Once you are test standard in every category, you will be forwarded for an informal pre-exam, and then your exam. The practical exam, carried out by a VATSIM-UK examiner, covers the following topics:

• Understanding area of responsibility and standard routings
• Understanding departure and arrival procedures
• Knowledge of adjacent control positions and underlying airfields, complying with local handoff procedures
• Knowledge of aircraft types and performance
• Ability to use different forms of separation in appropriate circumstances
• Understanding SID, STAR and IAP charts
• Vectoring aircraft for approach
• Stack management and levels
• Correct RT
• Communication and co-ordination with adjacent sectors
• Maintaining standard separation
• Applying reasonable expedition consistent with safety

At the end of your exam, you will be advised of your result. If you have passed, congratulations! You now hold the Controller (C1) rating, and can control any area position in the UK with the exception of London Bandbox (LON_CTR), which needs a validation. Please note that you also need a Heathrow Director validation in order to control London South (LON_S_CTR) solo.

Controller (C1) -> Senior Controller (C3)

The senior controller rating is the highest rating achievable within VATSIM. Senior Controllers will have: progressed through all of the VATSIM ratings, spent significant time online, developed their controlling skills, given back to the community and acquired a variety of knowledge and skills as a result.

 

Minimum Requirements - you must have achieved:

• 100 hours post-C1 on the sector the member took the C1 exam on, plus 40 hours on other CTR sectors within the EGTT/EGPX FIR. Time controlling a sector split (LTC, LON_E, etc) will not be counted. Time controlling a bandboxed position (e.g. LON_SC, LON_CTR) that includes your exam sector may only be counted towards your 100 hours requirement. Time controlling a bandboxed position that does not include your exam sector may only be counted towards your 40 hours requirement.

• *20 hours as a mentor on CTR positions.

• *40 hours as a mentor on GND through to APP (including OBS part 2’s).

*Mentoring hours will be gathered by the Training Department.

Additional Requirements - In addition to the minimum requirements, you must have contributed in any 2 of the activities:

• Controlled a CTR position for an exam 5 times post-C1.

• Controlled a CTR position during an event 5 times post-C1.

• Made notable contribution(s) to their home or area RTS. This can include:

Upgrade Process 
Should you achieve the minimum requirements plus any 2 of the additional requirements you may then be rewarded with a C3 rating. The Training Department does not audit C1 controllers and thus you will need to contact the Training Department with the following information:

• CID + Full Name.

• List of events controlled for and the positions controlled.

• List of exams controlled for and the positions controlled.

• Brief summary of notable contributions.

London Bandbox (LON_CTR) Validations

The London Bandbox position is a "Special Centre" available to controllers rated Area Controller (C1) or higher, after obtaining a validation from the EGTT RTSM. Validations will be granted subject to the following minimum conditions:

• 20 hours post-C1 on two of the 4 sectors within the EGTT FIR (40 total). Time controlling a sector split (LTC, LON_E, etc) will not be counted.

• 10 hours post-C1 on the remaining two sectors within the EGTT FIR (20 total). Time controlling a sector split (LTC, LON_E, etc) will not be counted.

• additional 20 hours post-C1 on any VATSIM CTR sector (including those above). Time controlling a sector split (LTC, LON_E, etc) may be counted.

Time controlling a bandboxed position (e.g. LON_SC) may be counted towards the additional 20 hours only.