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 TG staff will be happy to help you.
If you have not yet gained a Student 1 rating or above then please refer to the New Controller page for more information.
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.
Theory materials for ATC ratings above S1 can be found in the Downloads section of the website.
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:
You must register a pass in the theory exam for the appropriate level before you can be submitted for the practical exam
When you feel you are ready to take your next theory test, log in to the CT System and select "Theory Exams" from your Student menu. Good luck!
Your training now moves onto Tower, and the skills required as a tower controller will be steadily introduced to you. Your training then continues until you are at the required standard in all aspects of the aerodrome criteria, when you will be forwarded for your Tower exam.
This will be carried out by a VATSIM UK examiner, who will be assessing you on the following areas:
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). 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.
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:
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 to be at the required standard, you will be forwarded to take your practical exam, which is carried out by a VATSIM UK examiner. The exam will cover the following topics:
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)!
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 (SCO_CTR).
Before you can take your area practical exam, you need to take your last theory exam. This exam will cover the following:
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 your exam. The practical exam, which is carried out by a VATSIM UK examiner, covers the following topics:
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.
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 post-C1 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:
Creating or Updating training material (vMATS, crib sheets or airport info).
Creating or Updating sector files or tools used to assist controllers.
Introduce new operational procedures for airports or sectors.
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 ATC Training Department does not audit C1 controllers and thus you will
need to submit a
ticket to the ATC Training Department via the Helpdesk with the following information. Please do
not submit your
application until you have fully achieved all of the requirements by an obvious margin, as
processing
applications which barely meet the requirements takes far longer to verify.
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.
We offer the following endorsements for each listed facility within the UK. For further information, please visit the endorsements page.