MBI 09-03 - New Ratings Being Implemented

[David Jedrejcic]

VATSIM is instituting a new ratings policy that includes the addition of the new S2 rating, and a re-naming of some of the old ratings. The new structure, as of August 1, 2009, is as follows:

S1 - Ground Controller
S2 - Tower Controller
S3 - TMA Controller
C1 - Enroute Controller
C3 - Senior Controller

If you are currently rated as an S1 (formerly known as Student), you will be automatically upgraded to S2 (Tower Controller) within the coming days. Your certifications within ZDC will remain the same, but your rating will be changed from S1 to S2. As a current S1, you have already received the necessary training in order to be considered a Tower Controller under the new rating system.

For new controllers currently rated at OBS (Observer), you will first be promoted to a Ground Controller (S1) after you pass the ZDC Basic and Ground (GND) Examinations, and after you have sufficient training with your Mentor (MTR) or Instructor (INS). At that time, you will have the ability to control Clearance Delivery (DEL) and Ground (GND) positions only, subject to the Qualifications Table and recommendations of your MTR/INS. There is no longer a VATUSA S1 Examination to be taken for promotion to S1.

In order to be promoted to S2 (Tower Controller), newly promoted S1 controllers will need to pass the ZDC TWR Examination, the VATUSA S2 Examination, and receive sufficient training from your MTR/INS to enable you to control TWR facilities, subject to the Qualifications Table and recommendations of your MTR/INS.

There will be changes posted to the appropriate locations on the ZDC website in order to reflect these new guidelines in the coming weeks. Please keep yourself up to date by checking the ARTCC Policies, along with the Training page during this transition period. All necessary updates should be completed by August 1, 2009.