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Basic ATC Test Info


Jason Sutton 879715
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Jason Sutton 879715
Posted
Posted

A few weeks ago the Training Department updated the Basic ATC test to keep it from being automatically [Mod - Happy Thoughts]igned to new members that joined the Division. We did this because p[Mod - Happy Thoughts]ing the test automatically enrolls the member into the Academy, and we had a lot of members enrolled who had no desire to ever become ATC. Now when a member joins the Division the welcome email that is sent out instructs the member that if they wish to become a controller to email trainingvatusaorg to request to be signed up for the test. If the member only wants to fly then they'll take no action. We have also added this information on the login page of the VATUSA Cert Center. Anthony (USA12) checks this address regularly so all the member has to do to be [Mod - Happy Thoughts]igned the test is follow the instructions. I hope this clears up some of the confusion.

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Marvin Thompson 810254
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Jason,

 

Now that this isn't automated, will this allow the member of + months/years to join the academy?

 

Marv

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Jason Sutton 879715
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Enrollment into the Academy is only open to those new VATSIM members who joined the VATUSA Division on or after April 17th 2006. Also, any member that falls into this category that did not originally intend to try their hand at ATC is always welcome to request the Basic ATC test and enroll at anytime.

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  • 2 weeks later...
Carlos Perea 934840
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Good thing I never noticed that I hadn't chosen a specific country in North America until after that date...

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  • 1 month later...
Jason Vitaliano 891638
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Posted

Is this exam the same as the Academy Entrance Exam? Is their a study guide for this particular exam (Academy Entrance Exam)? Thanks.

Jason "Vito" Vitaliano

S3 Controller

vUSAF Pilot

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Anthony Santanastaso
Posted
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Greetings Jason,

 

Yes, the exam this post is referring to is now called the "Academy Entrance Exam." Prior to the Academy's existance, the exam referred to as the Basic ATC Test or "Observer/Pilot Exam" served as a general information test that prepared a potential pilot turned controller for what controlling is all about. Once p[Mod - Happy Thoughts]ed, you would receive your Student 1 (S1) rating, just like you do now, and choose what ARTCC you would like to join. Now, since p[Mod - Happy Thoughts]ing this exam enrolls you into the VATUSA Training Academy, we have appropriately changed the name to "Academy Entrance Exam."

 

Study guide material can be found in the Training section of VATUSA: http://www.vatusa.org/training

 

Remember that this exam tests your general, overall knowledge of the ATC system; therefore, for studying I would suggest you thoroughly read through the study guide entitled "BASIC AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL" (http://vatusa.org/training/study_guides/bas3.htm). All reference material can be found from the main training website on the left hand side via a link labled as "Reference."

 

Best of luck to you Jason, and if you have any questions, email the training department at [email protected].

Anthony Santanastaso

Division Director

[email protected]

http://www.vatusa.net

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Jason Vitaliano 891638
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Thank you for the information. I'll review the material right away and take the exam. Thank you again for your kind [Mod - Happy Thoughts]istance.

Jason "Vito" Vitaliano

S3 Controller

vUSAF Pilot

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  • 4 weeks later...
Gary Frothingham 811699
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You've probably been asked this already, but here goes...

 

If someone joins VATUSA, and decides NOT to enroll the academy, are they permitted to join an ARTCC, starting at the S-1 level.

 

What i am getting at also, new members only opportunity to control at an ARTCC (working towards certs. etc ) is only if they graduate from the academy? I think the Academy is an excellent program to develop new students where they are insured focused instruction right from the start.

 

 

Gary Frothingham

I-1 ZHN Events

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Brian Fuller 973577
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I just recently joined the Academy, and I am not able to join a ARTCC without graduating from it first.

 

The only downside to this is we can't grab a Mentor and get some OJT without going through all the courses first. This makes it difficult to learn the Clients.

 

You've probably been asked this already, but here goes...

 

If someone joins VATUSA, and decides NOT to enroll the academy, are they permitted to join an ARTCC, starting at the S-1 level.

 

What i am getting at also, new members only opportunity to control at an ARTCC (working towards certs. etc ) is only if they graduate from the academy? I think the Academy is an excellent program to develop new students where they are insured focused instruction right from the start.

 

 

Gary Frothingham

I-1 ZHN Events

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Jeff Turner
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I bet if you asked any of the instructors for OJT on any of the clients, they would do it on the sweatbox server....

Jeff "JU" Turner

US Army Retired

http://www.skyblueradio.com

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Brian Fuller 973577
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I asked, they said they didn't have the ability to move any of the planes.

 

I also recommended via feedback that the Sweatbox server should be up more often, just for students can play with the client's functions. Even if someone just loads it up and let's it run for a few hours a day.

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Jeff Turner
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I asked, they said they didn't have the ability to move any of the planes.

 

I also recommended via feedback that the Sweatbox server should be up more often, just for students can play with the client's functions. Even if someone just loads it up and let's it run for a few hours a day.

 

That's inaccurate... I'll ask Jason and Tony to talk to them...

 

As far as the sweatbox server... It's always up... Never shuts off. I think you mean the program that we use to simulate traffic. That is the program that the instructors and mentors have in the academy to use to teach. Always have...

Jeff "JU" Turner

US Army Retired

http://www.skyblueradio.com

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SBR_banner-468-x-60.jpg

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Brian Fuller 973577
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That's correct, I was referring to the Traffic. Hard to learn the Client without traffic

 

 

 

I asked, they said they didn't have the ability to move any of the planes.

 

I also recommended via feedback that the Sweatbox server should be up more often, just for students can play with the client's functions. Even if someone just loads it up and let's it run for a few hours a day.

 

That's inaccurate... I'll ask Jason and Tony to talk to them...

 

As far as the sweatbox server... It's always up... Never shuts off. I think you mean the program that we use to simulate traffic. That is the program that the instructors and mentors have in the academy to use to teach. Always have...

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Jason Sutton 879715
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Posted
You've probably been asked this already, but here goes...

 

If someone joins VATUSA, and decides NOT to enroll the academy, are they permitted to join an ARTCC, starting at the S-1 level.

 

What i am getting at also, new members only opportunity to control at an ARTCC (working towards certs. etc ) is only if they graduate from the academy? I think the Academy is an excellent program to develop new students where they are insured focused instruction right from the start.

 

 

Gary Frothingham

I-1 ZHN Events

 

Any new student who joined the Division on or after April 17th 2006 is required to complete the requirements at the Academy before being allowed to join one of the 22 ARTCC'S. Students who joined before the effective date should continue to receive training at the ARTCC level.

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Jason Sutton 879715
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That's correct, I was referring to the Traffic. Hard to learn the Client without traffic

 

 

 

I asked, they said they didn't have the ability to move any of the planes.

 

I also recommended via feedback that the Sweatbox server should be up more often, just for students can play with the client's functions. Even if someone just loads it up and let's it run for a few hours a day.

 

That's inaccurate... I'll ask Jason and Tony to talk to them...

 

As far as the sweatbox server... It's always up... Never shuts off. I think you mean the program that we use to simulate traffic. That is the program that the instructors and mentors have in the academy to use to teach. Always have...

 

The sweatbox server is always up, but the program used to simulate traffic can only be administrated by one of the teachers, and it's usually the teacher who's conducting the lecture or lab. In most cases the teacher will stick around longer to ensure each of his student's understands all of the required material for that session even if it runs past the 2 hour block. Of course if you need it, the teacher will most likely make arrangements for a review or tutoring session before you move onto the next session. All you have to do is ask.

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Brian Fuller 973577
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I'm just simply stating it would be nice to be able to play around in the Sweatbox learning to do things like select aircraft, change flight plans, etc. I don't see why an Instructor would have to hang out for hours just for someone can mess around and figure things out. I understand it can only be administered by an Instructor and it runs on their machine, but what's to stop someone from running it a few hours a day and just leaving it on? See what I'm suggesting?

 

I mentioned this to two different Instructors, they both thought it was a good idea and told me to suggest it, so I did.

 

Anyways, it was just a suggestion, take it for what it's worth.

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