Solo Validation Files

[Mark Richards]

Hi all

 

As you should all probably know, there has been an amendment to the GRP to allow trainee controllers to login to a higher position in order to practice their skills prior to sitting an OTS-type [Mod - Happy Thoughts]essment. The relevant sections are as follows:

 

4.5 Controller Trainee Solo Validations

 

In order to allow a trainee to develop confidence and improve the mentor-trainee time ratio, solo endorsements can be used by an Approach Controller Trainee or an Enroute Controller Trainee as follows: :

 

(a) APPROACH CONTROLLER TRAINEE

 

A candidate who is nearing their Approach/Departure Controller Practical Test, and who has been deemed competent in any theory [Mod - Happy Thoughts]essment as part of their Approach/Departure Controller training, can be given temporary permission to practise solo on an Approach/Departure position with the rating of Student 2 (S2). Such validations shall:

 

1. Be limited to one training airport, and

2. Be clearly listed on the local facility's website, detailing the member's name, VATSIM ID and the position(s) that they are validated on, and

3. Have a maximum period of validity of 30 days, and

4. Be subject to regular review, an

5. Not be renewed/extended unless the candidate has made good use of the facility and has shown improvement over the period of validity of the solo endorsement, and

6. Renewable for a total period of up to 90 days, with each renewal only to have a maximum period of validity of 30 days

 

(b) ENROUTE CONTROLLER TRAINEE

 

A candidate who is nearing their Enroute Controller Practical Test, and who has been deemed competent in any theory [Mod - Happy Thoughts]essment as part of their Enroute Controller training, can be given temporary permission to practise solo on an Enroute position with the rating of Student 3 (S3). Such validations shall:

 

1. Be limited to one training Enroute sector and not approved to extend coverage to adjacent Enroute sectors, and

2. Be clearly listed on the local facility's website, detailing the member's name, VATSIM ID and the position that they are validated on, and

3. Have a maximum period of validity of 30 days, and

4. Be subject to regular review, and

5. Not be renewed/extended unless the candidate has made good use of the facility and has shown improvement over the period of validity of the solo endorsement, and

6. Renewable for a total period of up to 90 days, with each renewal only to have a maximum period of validity of 30 days

 

Such endorsement should not be considered as a substitute for proper, timely advancement of a trainee.

 

No such endorsement shall be given to any other Controller position other than as specified in Sections (a) and (b) above.

HISTORY: (Eff. 11-Jun-12 GRP 2012-004; Amended 01-Mar-13 GRP 2013-002)

 

It is essential that VATSIM Supervisors and Administrators can track the users who are endorsed with a Controller Trainee Solo Validation. This saves the Supervisor/Admin looking through a myriad of Websites to find the approval.

 

For those not aware, Luca Benelli set up a simple system that links back to a simple repository that can be accessed by the various tools Supervisors use to monitor the network. This is a simple text file maintained by YOUR Division, ARTCC, vACC etc. and then captured by the VATSIM tools.

 

I would ask that any Division, ARTCC, vACC that validates trainee controllers to operate in accordance with GRP section 4.5 please create a suitable text file in the following fashion and then let Luca know the link to the file so that this tool is up-to-date. There shouldn't be any reason that these solo validations are not being used by everyone as it reduces the training commitment and overhead and allows the controllers to become more proficient in a quicker timeframe and thus improving the network and controller satisfaction.

 

Create a simple text file with all the authorizations listed. Each authorization is composed of a line like:

 

810609;LIMM_APP;2013-01-03;2013-02-28;123456

 

The above means that VATSIM ID 123456 (ATC TD person) granted user 810609 (ATC student) solo validation on LIMM_APP from January 3rd 2013 until February 28th, 2013.

 

One authorization per line. Separation is done using ";" character. Format must be EXACTLY the above.

 

Place this file on the ARTCC's/vACC's website and provide the URL to Luca Benelli so that he can add it to his system.

We would suggest something like http://YOURWEBSITE/solo.txt

 

Any questions, please ask.

 

Regards

Mark