VATSIM 2017 Controller Drive

[Brodie Murdoch]

Good Afternoon Everyone,

 

Starting from January 1st 2017 i will be starting a controller drive for myself and for anyone who wishes to participate is more than welcome.

 

The purpose of this controller drive that i am going to be starting up is to provide ATC to Airports around VATSIM that do get mid to low traffic levels in VATSIM but also to provide ATC Services to airports that haven't been controlled in the last 10 years or none at all. This is a good way to bring back VATSIM Spirit to unknown aerodromes but also for pilots to learn new aerodrome procedures approaches different phraseology etc.

 

Each week an FIR will be selected by myself and within that FIR 7 different ATC Positions (Preferred at different airports) will be staffed for a period of time on that particular day. A post will be made in this forum about the selected FIR, ATC Positions and controlling times on each Friday for the following week. Please be aware that 90% of the time i will not extend to other Sectors if controlling a CTR Position but it just depends on traffic levels. Also please be aware that there may be times where i'm unable to control on certain days or for a period of time.

 

(Note - I will only provide ATC Sservices to those FIR's that i can control but also only to those FIR's that are not online every day in VATSIM. There maybe some one off's to control the busy airports as well)

 

In the next few days i will post the 1st schedule for 2017 with a selected FIR, 7 Positions and time slots when ATC will be available. A list of airports will be available with ATC services if i am controlling a Enroute Position within the week.

 

Additional information about each featured aerodrome will be available for pilots in each schedule post

Edited December 27, 2016 at 06:44 PM by Guest

[Ernesto Alvarez 818262]

wondering if you've talked this over with any staff? one doesnt simply roam the network freely controlling anywhere they want

[Matt Booker]

The purpose of this controller drive that i am going to be starting up is to provide ATC to Airports around VATSIM that do not get enough traffic at all but also to bring back the spirit to some airports that haven't been controlled for more than a decade or even not at all in VATSIM's history

 

Have you considered joining the VATSIM Hit Squad?

 

https://www.vatsim.net/air-traffic-control/hit-squad

[Brodie Murdoch]

wondering if you've talked this over with any staff? one doesnt simply roam the network freely controlling anywhere they want

 

For some reason my original post in the VATNZ Forums didnt copy and paste the one i wanted but i added the additional like to it

 

http://www.vatnz.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4420

 

(Note - I will only provide ATC Sservices to those FIR's that i can control but also only to those FIR's that are not online every day in VATSIM. There maybe some one off's to control the busy airports as well)

 

Plus i dont want or need to have a word with a Staff Member simply because been there as a Vacc Director before and trying to organise something like this never works in terms of Events etc to Remote Places.

 

Also the reason why ive done this is also because i am a VC to the most remote places that people wouldnt think of getting ATC Services around VATSIM

 

[Brodie Murdoch]

The purpose of this controller drive that i am going to be starting up is to provide ATC to Airports around VATSIM that do not get enough traffic at all but also to bring back the spirit to some airports that haven't been controlled for more than a decade or even not at all in VATSIM's history

 

Have you considered joining the VATSIM Hit Squad?

 

https://www.vatsim.net/air-traffic-control/hit-squad

 

The only standard i need to meet is being apart of the Network for 3 years which will be on Nov 14 2017

[Sean Harrison]

The purpose of this controller drive that i am going to be starting up is to provide ATC to Airports around VATSIM that do not get enough traffic at all but also to bring back the spirit to some airports that haven't been controlled for more than a decade or even not at all in VATSIM's history

 

Have you considered joining the VATSIM Hit Squad?

 

https://www.vatsim.net/air-traffic-control/hit-squad

 

Sadly, the last call for members seems to be April 2011. Your link says the way to join is apply when members are called for. Given that it is almost six years ago since last call, statistically we must be getting closer.

 

If there is another way to express interest in the Hit Squad please point it out.

[Ernesto Alvarez 818262]

they are taking applications for a new coordinator

[Sean Harrison]

Indeed they are. Hopefully once they fill it, a call will be made.

 

Given that it closed on 14 Nov, I'm guessing the coordinator will be announced very shortly.

[Brayden Manzella]

(Note - I will only provide ATC Sservices to those FIR's that i can control but also only to those FIR's that are not online every day in VATSIM. There maybe some one off's to control the busy airports as well)

 

Plus i dont want or need to have a word with a Staff Member simply because been there as a Vacc Director before and trying to organise something like this never works in terms of Events etc to Remote Places.

 

Also the reason why ive done this is also because i am a VC to the most remote places that people wouldnt think of getting ATC Services around VATSIM

 

I want to applaud you for trying to control at places that do not typically have high participation, however, I find it interesting that you think the Seattle ARTCC is the ONLY facility in the entire North America Region that is remote, has a lack of event participation, and lack of participation in general.

 

It is evident to me that you have never taken part in one of our many events that we hold each month that have high participation rates from both controllers and pilots alike. In fact, we are hosting VATUSA's FNO this Friday, and already have 21 controllers signed up to control.

 

As for day to day activity, Seattle Approach has been in the top 5 of the Iron Mic for the past few months. In addition to several other positions throughout the facility.

[Sean Harrison]

I also applaude Brodie, I also enjoy providing services at the out of the way locations where pilots fly but they hardly see ATC.

 

Can I say, often people read way to much into comments. On my reading of Brodie's posts, I still can't see where he suggests that any artcc, division or region is better or more active than another. That is, I can't see Brodie saying "Seattle ARTCC is in desperate need of controller help!"

 

Anyway, I reckon there are lots of ARTCCs that have standard positions which rarely get activated, but that is definitely a generalisation based on my virtual travels.

 

Live the dream Brodie!

[Kyle Ramsey 810181]

Your plan will run afoul of the TVCP, so you may want to read up on it. This isn't something you can unilaterally do on this network.

 

https://www.vatsim.net/docomeents/transfer-and-visiting-controller-policy

[Sean Harrison]

Hey Kyle, are you looking at something in particular? Or is it just the 50% rule.

[Aaron Schwartz 1275401]

 

Can I say, often people read way to much into comments. On my reading of Brodie's posts, I still can't see where he suggests that any artcc, division or region is better or more active than another. That is, I can't see Brodie saying "Seattle ARTCC is in desperate need of controller help!"

 

If you look at the map - it is the only area Brodie highlighted in the North America region on his map.

[Ernesto Alvarez 818262]

Indeed they are. Hopefully once they fill it, a call will be made.

 

Given that it closed on 14 Nov, I'm guessing the coordinator will be announced very shortly.

 

seems to have closed on the 15th of this month as thats when applications were due by. hopefully someone stepped up

[Sean Harrison]

 

Can I say, often people read way to much into comments. On my reading of Brodie's posts, I still can't see where he suggests that any artcc, division or region is better or more active than another. That is, I can't see Brodie saying "Seattle ARTCC is in desperate need of controller help!"

 

If you look at the map - it is the only area Brodie highlighted in the North America region on his map.

 

He simply highlighted the areas he is a visitor at? I'd simply relax. Having Brodie as a controller in your ARTCC IS A BENEFIT. His post does not suggest to me that Seattle is dying, maybe it does to you.

[Kyle Ramsey 810181]

Hey Kyle, are you looking at something in particular? Or is it just the 50% rule.

 

Nope, 2.5, the part that says he will have to apply for visiting status and be approved by each and every location he intends to control within.

[Sean Harrison]

Indeed they are. Hopefully once they fill it, a call will be made.

 

Given that it closed on 14 Nov, I'm guessing the coordinator will be announced very shortly.

 

seems to have closed on the 15th of this month as thats when applications were due by. hopefully someone stepped up

 

Maybe it's dying. It appears the coord was advertised twice?(could be wrong).

 

If they haven't asked for members in six years, they are either happy with themselves or it's dead.

 

If it's dead, and no-one who is a member of the hit squad applied to be coordinator, then I'd boot them all out and get some fresh blood into it. I'm sure there are people waiting for a call for applications....

[Sean Harrison]

Hey Kyle, are you looking at something in particular? Or is it just the 50% rule.

 

Nope, 2.5, the part that says he will have to apply for visiting status and be approved by each and every location he intends to control within.

 

I could be wrong, but I thought he had already. In his highlighted area, there really aren't that many locations. VATOCE with Oceanic Partnership covers over 50%, so wouldn't be hard to apply at the others.

 

I would go close to his, but I've never tried the African continent. India has previously told me to jump in whenever I can....

[Ernesto Alvarez 818262]

thought the applications were open to all, not just existing hit squad members. think thats the part they were mentioning about a "new" hit squad cause i also havent seen them used in awhile now other then a status symbol. i remember the old hit squad events where theyd staff an area up, Kinda like what Brodie wants to do, but it was a group effort (thats the part btw Brodie that i recommend getting in contact with staff. work as a team rather then a one man show and youll have much more fun doing it )

Edited December 28, 2016 at 01:38 AM by Guest

[Josh Glottmann]

This topic has so many conversations going on....

Hope to see you staffing some different parts of the world Brodie!

I also don't think his post was directed at any area specifically @ZSE Folks, if anything it was directed at the clearly understaffed areas of the world (parts of Africa, Ocean, etc.).

[Brodie Murdoch]

Thanks guys for the support.

 

Also just to clear a few things up the highlighted area's in Yellow are the area's where i have obtained a Visiting Controller Status with the local Division, The other areas i have no interest in them at this time.

 

This controller drive isnt aimed to see which VATSIM Division is better that others or whos the worse VATSIM Division.

 

This post is only directed to Airports that rarely get ATC Services,

 

Example: On the 6th of December 2016 I was the 1st person ever to control this position on the Network.

 

 

I only have interest in controlling Airports that rarely get controlled in VATSIM i.e Tahiti, Fiji, Iraq, Many parts of Africa etc. I have no interest in controlling such airports like Seattle-Tacoma, Dubai International etc because you'd see ATC on VATSIM everyday for those airports.

[Brodie Murdoch]

VATSIM Controller Drive 2017 Schedule

 

Week 52: Sunday 1st January 2017

Week 1: Monday 2nd January 2017 - Sunday 8th January 2017

FIR: NZZO

 

Note: Special schedule for this week extra day meaning 8 days of controlling in NZZO FIR than 7 because 1st Jan is still in Week 52 of 2016.

 

Controlling Schedule

 

Sun 1st Jan - NSTU_TWR - 1pm-4pm NZDT

Mon 2nd Jan - NCRG_APP - 12pm-3pm NZDT

Tue 3rd Jan -

Wed 4th Jan - YSNF_TWR - 9pm-12am NZDT

Thu 5th Jan - NFTV_TWR - 12pm-3pm NZDT

Fri 6th Jan - NSFA_APP - 12pm-3pm NZDT

Sat 7th Jan - NIUE_TWR - 12pm-3pm NZDT

Sun 8th Jan - NFTF_APP - 12pm-3pm NZDT

 

Note: Timings might change depending on how the week unfolds. If a timing slot does change it'll be rescheduled for a different time but on the same day.

Note: I have booked my positions in VROUTE within the VATSIM New Zealand Division (VATNZ), and you'll be able to view my bookings from there as well

 

VATNZ Website: http://www.vatnz.net/

 

Position Information

 

NSTU_TWR

 

ID: NSTU_TWR

Name: Pago Pago Tower

Airports Served: NSTU

Airport Elevation: 32ft/10m

TWR Frequency: 118.600

 

Runway: 05/23 - 10,000ft/3048m

Runway: 08/26 - 3800ft/1158m

 

Charts: https://flightaware.com/resources/airport/NSTU/ALL/all/pdf

 

Notes: Pago Pago has no ATIS so weather information is available on request. Remember Pago Pago uses altimeter NOT QNH

Notes: NSTU_TWR only provides ATC Services to Pago Pago International Airport

 

NCRG_APP

 

ID: NCRG_APP

Name: Rarotonga Control

Airports Served: NCRG

Airport Elevation: 19ft/6m

APP Frequency: 118.100

 

Runway: 08/26 - 7638ft/2328m

 

Charts: http://www.groupead.co.nz/collections/pacific-aip/products/copy-of-aip-cook-islands-effective-17-september-2015

Available to download for free

 

Notes: Rarotonga has no ATIS so weather information is available on request.

Notes: NCRG_APP also provides ATC Services to the following Airports. NCAI NCAT NCMG NCMH NCMK NCMR NCPY NCPK. These airports are unattended on the ground but are controlled once airborne by Rarotonga Control.

 

YSNF_TWR

 

ID: YSNF_TWR

Name: Norfolk Island Tower

Airports Served: YSNF

Airport Elevation: 371ft/113m

TWR Frequency: 118.100

 

Runway: 11/29 - 6398ft/1950m

Runway: 04/22 - 4708ft/1435m

 

Charts: http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/aip/pending/dap/AeroProcChartsTOC.htm#N

 

Notes: Norfolk Island has no ATIS so weather information is available on request.

 

NFTV_TWR

 

ID: NFTV_TWR

Name: Vavau Tower

Airports Served: NFTV

Airport Elevation: 23ft/72m

TWR Frequency: 118.100

 

Runway: 08/26 - 5593ft/1705m

 

Charts: http://www.groupead.co.nz/collections/tonga/products/aip-tonga-digital-version-only-effective-10-november-2016

 

Notes: Vavau has no ATIS so weather information is available on request.

 

NSFA_APP

 

ID: NSFA_APP

Name: Faleolo Control

Airports Served: NSFA

Airport Elevation: 58ft/18m

App Frequency: 126.900

 

Runway: 08/26 - 9843ft/3000m

 

Charts: http://www.groupead.co.nz/collections/samoa/products/aip-samoa-digital-version-only-effective-4-february-2016

 

Notes: Faleolo has no ATIS so weather information is available on request.

Notes: NSFA_APP also does top-down services to NSTU Airport

 

NIUE_TWR

 

ID: NIUE_TWR

Name: Niue Tower

Airports Served: NIUE

Airport Elevation: 209ft/64m

TWR Frequency: 118.100

 

Runway: 10/28 - 7660ft/2335m

 

Charts: http://www.groupead.co.nz/collections/nuie/products/aip-niue

 

Notes: Niue has no ATIS so weather information is available on request.

 

NFTF_APP

 

ID: NFTF_APP

Name: Fua'amotu Control

Airports Served: NFTF

Airport Elevation: 126ft/38m

App Frequency: 118.500

 

Runway: 11/29 - 8795ft/2681m

Runway: 17/35 - 4951ft/1509m

 

Charts: http://www.groupead.co.nz/collections/tonga/products/aip-tonga-digital-version-only-effective-10-november-2016

 

Notes: Fua'amotu has no ATIS so weather information is available on request.

 

 

Want to come and control ??

 

Controllers who have the correct VATSIM Cert Rating are more than welcome to come and provide ATC Services to other Positions listed below. Please make sure though that you have the correct Status to be able to control in NZZO FIR.

 

Example: VATNZ VATPAC and VATNZ Visiting Controllers can provide ATC Services to all positions expect NZZO_FSS unless if you have an oceanic rating. Members of the Pacific Oceanic Agreement can provide ATC Services to NZZO FIR but note who cant provide DEL-CTR services unless you have a connection to VATNZ listed above.

 

Note: Please be aware that SCIZ_FSS is not part of the Pacific oceanic Agreement and that in order to control SCIZ_FSS you must be a Visiting Controller or a home Controller of the Chille vACC in South America Division in order to control SCIZ_FSS

 

Available position to control near me

 

Sunday 1st Jan

 

NSFA_APP - 126.900

NZZO_FSS - 128.900

 

Monday 2nd Jan

 

NZZO_FSS - 128.900

 

Tuesday 3rd Jan

 

Wednesday 4th Jan

 

NFTF_GND - 121.900

 

Thursday 5th Jan

 

NZZO_FSS - 128.900

 

Friday 6th Jan

 

NSFA_GND - 121.900

NSFA_TWR - 118.100

NSTU_TWR - 118.600

NZZO_FSS - 128.900

 

Saturday 7th Jan

 

NZZO_FSS - 128.900

 

Sunday 8th Jan

 

NZZO_FSS - 128.900

Edited January 3, 2017 at 11:23 PM by Guest

[Kirk Christie]

thought the applications were open to all, not just existing hit squad members. think thats the part they were mentioning about a "new" hit squad cause i also havent seen them used in awhile now other then a status symbol. i remember the old hit squad events where theyd staff an area up, Kinda like what Brodie wants to do, but it was a group effort (thats the part btw Brodie that i recommend getting in contact with staff. work as a team rather then a one man show and youll have much more fun doing it )

 

There is no activity because there is no coordinator, the HS forum, at least for me, is not taking any forum posts at the moment.

[Brodie Murdoch]

Morning All,

 

YSNF_TWR (Norfolk Island Tower) will be rescheduled for Wednesday 4th Jan after NFTF_APP Slot starting from 1500-1800 NZDT.

 

My VATSIM 2017 Controller Drive Schedule can be founded via this link listed below as well as my VATSIM ATC Hours so far for 2017.

 

Schedule

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1muhVQSHL7NyovGISNac9yyIVLkR3-za0XNB4mmFznkA/edit?usp=sharing

 

My VATSIM Hrs 2017

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1XAwIP4yFCcLIYJwghpmBBPWgVp8qA5cOkysHem-9gyk/edit?usp=sharing

 

Thanks Guys

[Brodie Murdoch]

UPDATED

 

Removed NZZO_FSS and replaced it with NFTF_APP same slot time 1200 NZDT - 1500 NZDT

Removed NFTF_APP slot time for today 1200 NZDT - 1500 NZDT

Changed YSNF_TWR slot time from 1500 NZDT - 1800 NZDT to 2100 NZDT - 0000 NZDT

 

My VATSIM 2017 Controller Drive Schedule can be founded via this link listed below as well as my VATSIM ATC Hours so far for 2017.

 

Schedule

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... sp=sharing

 

My VATSIM Hrs 2017

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... sp=sharing

 

Thanks Guys