ATC Endorsements

Once you have achieved a given controller rating, you are free to control the vast majority of airports/sectors within the UK that are applicable to that rating.

There are, however, a few exceptions. Some of our busier positions will require you to gain what is known as an Endorsement.

  London Gatwick - GND (S1)

Background

London Gatwick (EGKK) was the 2nd busiest airport on the VATSIM network in 2022 with over 84,000 movements. Controlling at London Gatwick is restricted by the ATC Training Department to S2 rated members, or S1s that hold a special endorsement. This restriction for S1s is in place to allow members to gain experience in quieter environments and practice their skills before tackling the workload at Gatwick.

The Gatwick (S1) Endorsement enables controllers to open Ground (EGKK_GND) or Delivery (EGKK_DEL).

Endorsement Process

View the requirements for the Gatwick Ground endorsement by clicking here.

Get Started

The process for getting started with the Gatwick Ground endorsement can be found by clicking here.

  AFIS/AGCS (S1)

Background

VATSIM UK has a large number of pilots that enjoy a little jaunt across the country in a light aircraft, enjoying the sights and freedoms of VFR. We also have a number of small aerodromes that are hotspots for this activity, which is now tied in with the Pilot Training Department's Flight Training Exercises (FTEs). These smaller aerodromes do not provide a full Air Traffic Service, but instead either an Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS) or Air/Ground Communications Service (AGCS).

Requirements

As such, we offer S1s the opportunity to become endorsed on a select number of these positions through an online self-learning (Moodle) course. This course may be enrolled on at any time by any member. The endorsement process is as follows:

  1. In order to be eligible to take the Moodle exam, the member must have acquired a total of 50 hours controlling on ground and delivery positions in the UK
  2. Once the hour requirement is met, the member submits a ticket to the helpdesk asking to be enrolled in the Moodle exam
  3. The member must pass the exam at the end of the Moodle course and informs the training department via the helpdesk that they have passed.

Approved Aerodromes

  • Andrewsfield (EGSL)
  • Barra (EGPR)
  • Bedford (EGBF)
  • Bembridge (EGHJ)
  • Blackbushe (EGLK)
  • Bodmin (EGLA)
  • Caernarfon (EGCK)
  • Campbeltown (EGEC)
  • Chalgrove (EGLJ)
  • Chichester Goodwood (EGHR)
  • Clacton (EGSQ)
  • Coll (EGEL)
  • Colonsay (EGEY)
  • Compton Abbas (EGHA)
  • Coventry (EGBE)
  • Cumbernauld (EGPG)
  • Denham (EGLD)
  • Derby (EGBD)
  • Dunkeswell (EGTU)
  • Duxford (EGSU)
  • Earls Colne (EGSR)
  • Elstree (EGTR)
  • Enniskillen/St Angelo (EGAB)
  • Fair Isle (EGEF)
  • Fairoaks (EGTF)
  • Fenland (EGCL)
  • Gamston (EGNE)
  • Haverfordwest (EGFE)
  • Islay (EGPI)
  • Kemble (EGBP)
  • Lashenden/Headcorn (EGKH)
  • Lee-on-Solent (EGHF)
  • Leeds East/Fenton (EGCM)
  • Leicester (EGBG)
  • Lerwick/Tingwall (EGET)
  • Manchester Barton (EGCB)
  • Netherthorpe (EGNF)
  • Newtownards (EGAD)
  • Northampton/Sywell (EGBK)
  • Nottingham (EGBN)
  • Oban (EGEO)
  • Old Buckenham (EGSV)
  • Old Sarum (EGLS)
  • Old Warden (EGTH)
  • Penzance (EGHK)
  • Perth (EGPT)
  • Peterborough/Conington (EGSF)
  • Portland (EGDP)
  • Rochester (EGTO)
  • Sandtoft (EGCF)
  • Sherburn-in-Elmet (EGCJ)
  • Shobdon (EGBS)
  • Sleap (EGCV)
  • Stapleford (EGSG)
  • Swansea (EGFH)
  • Tatenhill (EGBM)
  • Thruxton (EGHO)
  • Tiree (EGPU)
  • Tresco (EGHT)
  • Walney (EGNL)
  • Wellesbourne (EGBW)
  • Welshpool (EGCW)
  • West Wales/Aberporth (EGFA)
  • White Waltham (EGLM)
  • Wickenby (EGNW)
  • Wolverhampton / Halfpenny Green (EGBO)
  • Wycombe Air Park/Booker (EGTB)
  • Stanley (SFAL) - see Argentina LoA

Get Started

Once you have met the minimum hour requirement for taking the Moodle exam, submit a ticket to the ATC Training Department in the helpdesk to get started.

  London Heathrow (S2+)
View the details for the Heathrow endorsements by clicking here.
  Military (S2+)

Background

VATSIM UK offers controllers rated S2 or higher the opportunity to undertake a military endorsement, through a number of self study courses. With this endorsement, controllers are permitted to open military positions both in the UK and its overseas territories, in accordance with the Letters of Agreement, Division Policy and military manual.

Endorsements Offered

We offer four types of military endorsement:

  • Tower and Ground
  • Approach
  • Precision Approach Radar (PAR)
  • Area Radar (CTR).

Airfields/Sectors Offered

  • All UK mainland military airfields
  • Gibraltar (LXGB)
  • RAF Akrotiri (LCRA)
  • RAF Mount Pleasant (EGYP)
  • RAF Ascension Island (FHAW)
  • EGVV_CTR - 133.900 - Swanwick Military - Covers military activity in both EGTT and EGPX, as well as top-down control for Military airfields
  • EGVV_x_CTR - Swanwick Military - Various other splits, as outlined in this procedure change post.

Requirements

In order to be able to be eligible for military endorsement, a controller must meet the following requirements.

  • Must be a home member or a visitor that has completed a visiting application
  • Must be rated S2 or higher
  • Must hold the equivalent permanent controller rating to the endorsement that they wish to undertake
  • Members wishing to undertake the PAR endorsement must hold the Approach endorsement.

Endorsement Process

The endorsement process for all military endorsements offered by VATSIM UK is as follows.

  1. Submit a ticket to ATC Training in the helpdesk, requesting to have the exam enabled on the relevant self study course
  2. Complete the online self-study course and pass the exam at the end
  3. Upon completing the exam, submit a ticket to the helpdesk, stating that the course has been successfully completed
  4. The endorsement will then be granted by the ATC Training Department.
  Shanwick Oceanic (C1+)

Background

Shanwick Oceanic (EGGX) is a designated special center under the terms of the VATSIM Global Ratings Policy. Controllers rated C1 or higher may apply for an endorsement to open Shanwick (EGGX) and Gander (CZQO) positions, or the combined Shanwick & Gander position (NAT_FSS).

Requirements

In order to be granted the Shanwick Oceanic endorsement, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Home member or a visitor with an approved visiting application
  • Permanent controller of C1 or higher.

Endorsement Process

The endorsement process for the Shanwick Oceanic endorsement is as follows:

  1. Enroll on the Shanwick Oceanic online Moodle course
  2. Complete the Moodle course and pass the final exam
  3. Practical training - there is no formal assessment, so mentors will issue the endorsement once competency is demonstrated.

Get Started

Home Members - please complete the online Moodle course and theory exam. Once completed, please open a ticket with ATC Training in the helpdesk.

Visiting Members - please complete an application to visit the UK. If you are already a visitor in the UK, please open a ticket with ATC Training in the helpdesk.

  London Bandbox (C1+)

Background

London Bandbox (LON_CTR) is a designated special center under the terms of the VATSIM Global Ratings Policy, covering all four London sector groups (South, Central, North and West). Controllers rated C1 or higher may apply for an endorsement to enable them to open this position.

Requirements

In order to be granted a London Bandbox endorsement, the controller must meet the following requirements:

  • 20 hours post-C1 on two of the four 'parent' London positions (40 total)
  • 10 hours post-C1 on the remaining two 'parent' London positions (20 total)
  • An additional 20 hours post-C1 on any UK CTR position (including those above).

Time spent controlling split or bandbox positions (for example LTC_CTR or LON_SC_CTR) may only be counted towards requirement 3 above.

Guidance

The amount of traffic in the London FIR varies significantly throughout the day and can increase dramatically at very short notice. Furthermore, the amount of top-down controlling can vary depending on which adjacent controllers are online. Controllers are therefore advised to use caution when exercising the privileges of their validation. It is often wise to use the validation either during the quieter hours of the evening, when there are a number of Approach positions online covering the major aerodromes, or to cover off remaining sectors when other London positions are open. Equally, if traffic levels increase significantly, controllers should consider downsizing to a smaller sector.

Get Started

If you wish to apply for a London Bandbox endorsement, please open a ticket with ATC Training in the helpdesk. In the ticket, you should state your VATSIM CID, the qualifying CTR positions you have controlled and time spent on each.