ZJX TRAINING DEPARTMENT
INFORMATION AND SCHEDULING
OVERVIEW
The ZJX Training Departments primary purpose is to provide consistant and professional training to those controllers wishing to learn the ZJX airspace. Our secondary purpose is to keep the ARTCC informed of any and all changes to the airspace and any changes to VATUSA/VATSIM policies concerning the role of all controllers.
It is also our goal to provide this training in as timely a manner as possible within the limitations of working in a virtual world. Every effort will be made to match controllers with Instructors/Mentors to provide training to all who seek it.
STAFF
Training Administrator
Assistant Training Administrator
Instructors
Mentors
Global Ratings Policy - VATSIM
Student (S1)
This rating includes all local airport control services; DEL, GND and TWR.
Senior Student (S3)
This rating includes APP and DEP radar control services associated with an airport.
Controller (C1)
This rating is for enroute CTR sectors; both radar and non-radar control services.
NOTE: For the three controller ratings described above, the essential knowledge and skill components for each Air Traffic Service position shown are the required elements of competency for that rating. A Training Department must determine its own tests and assessment methods in order to establish competency in respect of each rating level. A person must demonstrate all elements of competency before the rating is awarded and are allowed to operate on-line without supervision.
Senior Controller (C3)
Senior Controller provides a service beyond that of a normal Controller. The Senior Controller rating is outside the scope of the global ratings scheme and therfore unchanged; being left for local determination.
Graduated Controller Ratings
A VATSIM rating is part of a graduated scheme where a person cannot get a higher rating without having first completed the requirements for the lower rating. Graduated ratings are essential within the VATSIM on-line environment since on-line ATC must provide a "top-down" service and cover for any missing positions beneath them; this applies to all positions from CTR down.
Local Rules
On-line operations require a controller to be flexible and versatile. Local rules must be carefully considered to eensure that they do not impair these important on-line qualities. One objective of this policy is to make it easier to become a controller by removing excessive restrictions and unnecessary rules without adversely affecting controller standards. To that end, local rules may be used to establish a designated "major airport" that is off-limits to a new controller. There is no provision for the designation of airports other than exstablishing apermanent major airport.
The term "major airport" expressly applies to an airport and relates to any controller providing an Air Traffic Service to that specific airport, namely DEL, GND, TWR and APP. An enroute sector does not relate to a specific airport, therefore the concept of "major" cannot be applied to any CTR position. Establishing designated major airports is an option to be taken up only where necessary. There is no requirement to put in place designated major airports.
Designating an airport as major creates a significant restriction to new controllers, therefore the number of designated major airports should be kept to a minimum. A designated major airport should be an exception being established only where it is considered a requirement and justified as being in the best interest of on-line users.
A new controller is permitted to log-on and provide a service at any airport other than a designated major airport in order to practice his or her skills and quickly gain access to operate at the major airport. Before operating at a major airport, a controller may be required to complete an endorsement for that specific major airport. A major airport endorsement is in addition to the Air Traffic Service rating scheme described above and applies to a new controller or a visiting controller new to that specific major airport.
Training Schedule and Requirements for Certification
The following sets out the recommended schedule for obtaining your ratings and certifications at ZJX. It is highly encouraged to read and study the recommended reading prior to contacting an Instructor/Mentor to begin a training session. This will greatly enhance your learning process and make the training program go much quicker. All materials may be found in the Training Section of the ZJX website.
STUDENT (S1)
Recommended Reading:
- Basic Air Traffic Control
- Clearance Delivery
- Ground Operations
- Tower Basics: VFR Operations
- Tower Operations
- Helicopter Operations
- VFR Controlling Procedures
- ATIS Policy
- ZJX SOP
Training Sessions Recommended
- TeamSpeak Session:
The student and an Instructor/Mentor will meet on the ZJX TeamSpeak server to discuss the material contained in the recommended reading list. Special emphasis will be paid to the proper phraseology to be used while performing ATC services on-line. This may include one or more sessions of approxiametely two hours each depending on the progression of the student through the material.
- Sweatbox Session:
The student will conduct a training session with a qualified ZJX Instructor utilizing the TWR Trainer software on the Sweatbox server. This session will cover all aspects of DEL, GND and TWR including the proper use of phraseology and VFR procedures. Again this may include one or more sessions of approxiametely two hours each depending on how well the student demonstrates thier knowledge of the material.
- Over the Shoulder Exam and S1 Exam.
The student will be assigned the VATSUA S1 exam by their instructor. Additionally, an over the shoulder exam will be conducted using either actual on-line traffic or the sweatbox server to determine the students competency with the DEL, GND and TWR positions. Passage of these two exams will certify the student as an S1 and they will be considered certified to control up to the TWR level at all non-major airports.
MAJOR AIRPORT - DEL, GND AND TWR
Recommended Reading:
- KMCO - Ground Operations
- Orlando International ATCT
Training Sessions Recommended
- Sweatbox Sessions
A sweatbox session with a ZJX Instructor/Mentor. Will cover unique GND and TWR operations for KMCO. This may include one or more sessions of approxiametely two hours each depending on how well the student demonstrates thier knowledge of the material.
- Over the Shoulder Exam
An Instructor will conduct an OTS either on-line or using the sweatbox server to observe the students competency concerning KMCO operations. Once the student has demonstrated their understanding of the KMCO procedures they will be granted the KMCO endorsements at DEL, GND and TWR.
SENIOR STUDENT (S3)
Recommended Reading:
- Basic Approach Module
- Intermediate Approach Module
- Advanced Approach Module
- Military Procedure Review
- Orlando TRACON
- Orlando RADAR SOP
Training Sessions Recommended
- Sweatbox Sessions
Multiple sweatbox sessions will be conducted to hone the controllers skills at working APP/DEP. These sessions will cover the KJAX and KMCO airspaces and will last approxiametely two hours each. The final number of sessions will be determined by the students ability to demonstrate a competant knowledge of the two airspaces and the proper phraseology and procedures needed for working the APP/DEP position.
- Online Sessions
On-line sessions will also be required. These will include the student working actual traffic while under the supervision of an Instructor. These sessions will last as long as the student and Instructor deem necessary.
- S3 Exam and OTS
The VATUSA S3 exam will be assigned to the student by their instructor. Additionally, an OTS will be conducted with the student and two instructors utilizing the sweatbox server and ACSim program. This exam will cover operations at both KJAX and KMCO. Successfully passing the OTS will earn the student certification at APP along with the KMCO endorsement.
NOTE: Please keep in mind that working traffic at the APP level is a huge step from local control. Each student's progress through the training rest solely upon their ability to process and learn the information required to control at this level. This may take anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months depending on the students abilities and their availablity for training sessions.
CONTROLLER (C1)
Recommended Reading:
- Center Training Guidelines
- Facility Procedures (Enroute) Center
- All LOA's
Training Sessions Recommended
- TeamSpeak Session
The student will meet on the ZJX TeamSpeak server with an Instructor to discuss the information required for controlling at the CTR position. This will include going over the various LOA's with our neighboring ARTCC's along with a discussion concerning airspace management. Session length is approxiametely two hours. One session is usually recommended, but addtional sessions may be requested by the student or Instructor.
- On-line Sessions
The student will staff the CTR position on-line under the supervision of a qualified Instructor. The Instructor will observe the student and offer suggestions pertaining to the correct staffing of the CTR position. These sessions will vary in length and number based entirely on the students ability to learn and master the procedures required to control at CTR.
- C1 Exam and OTS
At the recommendation of the Instructor, the student will be assigned the VATUSA C1 Exam. Additionally an OTS will be conducted online with the Training Administrator or ATM present. The student will be required to demonstrate a working knowledge of all ZJX LOA's and the proper phraseology and procedures to operate the CTR position. This OTS will depend greatly upon finding suitable traffic levels on the VATSIM network in order to conduct the OTS.
