Global Ratings Policy Update - S2 Implementation

[Steven Cullen]

Most of you are aware that the Air Traffic Controller Global Ratings Policy (GRP) is under review following direction from the VATSIM Founders. VATSIM staff at all levels from ARTCC/FIR staff to Division Staff to Regional Staff to the Board of Governors have been working hard over the last few months to revise the policy, correct some of the problems highlighted by the current policy, and establish an effective, streamlined process that accomplishes the goals laid out by the Founders.

 

While the GRP review is not yet complete, the work has progressed to a point where it is time to start implementing some of the changes in a controlled, phased manner to minimize disruption.

 

One of the biggest changes is the institution of a new controller rating which will better align ratings with ATC positions on the network. To that end, the position of S2 is being implemented network-wide. The result will be that ratings will directly correlate to positions a controller is qualified to work, specifically:

 

S1 - Clearance Delivery/Ground

S2 - Tower

S3 - Approach

C1 - Center

 

The C3 rating will remain a "Senior Controller" not tied to any specific position.

 

Within the next 30 days, all controllers who are qualified to work Tower will be promoted to S2 and receive automated emails notifying them of this rating upgrade. It is important to note that the upgrade to S2 will carry no additional qualifications for those controllers presently certified to work Tower, but it will more clearly delineate between the S1 contollers presently Tower qualified and those who are still working on their Tower certification (who will remain at the S1 rating).

 

Network software has been updated so that S2 Tower controllers can login using their new rating on the appropriate controller client once their rating upgrade is processed.

 

Anyone with questions concerning this upgrade should contact their Divisional Staff leadership for [Mod - Happy Thoughts]istance. If by August 12th a person has not been upgraded to S2 and they believe they should have been, they should also contact their Division Staff, but please delay inquiries until after the 12th as there are several thousand controllers to process and we anticipate it taking the full 30 days to process all accounts in some of the larger divisions.

 

I want to emphasize that this change has NO impact on network operations and is totally transparent to pilots.

 

Once the GRP review is complete, I will send out further updates detailing what changes, if any are being adopted by the VATSIM network.

 

all the best,

 

Dave Klain

President