28/10/2021

VATSSA Controller Syllabus S1-C1

This document is designed to outline the contents each controller must be familiar with as a
VATSSA controller. This document should be read in conjunction with all ACC, Divisional and
Vatsim Policies.

All controllers must have an understanding of the Vatsim Code of Conduct and the Vatsim
Global Ratings Policy and VATSSA policies. All Vatsim controllers must have an
understanding of all ATC position types on the network, not just the ones they are qualified
to control.

All controllers must also have at least a basic knowledge of the VATSSA division itself and its
components.

Note: Each higher rating assumes the knowledge of every previous rating

Useful Resources:
ICAO PANS-ATM Doc 4444
www.skybrary.aero
Global Ratings Policy | VATSIM.net
Code Of Conduct | VATSIM.net
ICAO Doc 9432 - Manual of Radiotelephony

Student 1 (Note: There are currently no required competencies associated with this rating however this is a
guide on what should be covered in training)
● What are GND and DEL positions, why do they exist and what their responsibilities
are.
● Understanding the Vatsim ATC top-down concept.
● Understand what each position controls.
● Basic METAR decoding
● Understand the concept of why and how to choose an active runway.
● Understanding the difference between IFR and VFR.
● Semi-circular rule.
● Basic understanding of how to read aviation charts.
● Communication Priority
● Coordination
● Euroscope;
○ Download, load and adjust sector files.
○ Connect to the network and set the correct range.
○ Using basic text commands, keyboard shortcuts and open and close
chats(.wallop, .break, alias files etc)
○ Open and edit flight plans (Edit RFL, flight rules, aircraft type etc.)
○ Understand each window (incl. METAR, controller list, departure and arrival
list)
○ What range to set for different positions
● Audio for Vatsim;
○ Download and configure.
○ How to connect to the Vatsim network
○ Explain what TX RX and XC means and when and why to use each.
● ATIS
○ Understand what an ATIS is and its contents.
 ○ Set up and connect with an approved ATIS software (Euroscope or vATIS)
● Radiotelephony
○ Radio check
○ Time check
○ IFR clearances (what is/isn’t included)
○ Startup and Pushback
○ Taxi instructions
○ Runway changes
○ Arriving aircraft
○ Hold position/Continue Taxi
○ Conditional clearances
○ Handing off to next control/Unicom (contact vs monitor)

Student 2
● What is a TWR position, why does it exist and what its responsibilities are.
● Airspace Classification and separation requirements.
● Understanding and giving VFR clearances.
● Airspace structure and differences (CTA, CTR, ATZ etc) and who controls what.
● Separation
○ Principles of wake turbulence
○ Applying wake turbulence separation
○ Applying route separation
○ Use of speed control to maintain arrival separation.
○ Separation based on what class of airspace
○ IFR/VFR separation.
○ Providing traffic information
● VFR
○ Visual circuit
○ Arr/Dep Clearances
○ Transits
● Missed Approaches
● HIRO (High-Intensity Runway Operations)
● Procedural Tower
○ Applying lateral and vertical separation in a non-radar environment
● Radiotelephony
○ Take off
○ Landing
○ Runway crossing
○ Arrival taxi instruction
○ Go-Around
○ Continue approach
○ Wind checks
○ Traffic Information
○ Circuits
■ Orbits, extending parts of the circuit.
○ Reporting Points
○ Conditional Clearances
○ Emergency situations

Student 3
● What is an APP or DEP position, why do they exist and what are their
responsibilities.
● Radar
○ Radar separation
 ○ Types of surveillance radar (Primary vs Secondary)
○ Provision of radar services
○ Identification, Validation, Verification
■ Mode C check (RVSM vs Non-RVSM)
● Approaches
○ ILS
○ VOR/DME
○ NDB/DME
○ LOC/DME
○ RNP/RNAV
○ Visual
○ Procedural vs Radar Vectored
○ Clearing aircraft for each approach type
● Altimetry
○ Transition Altitude
○ Transition Layer
○ Transition Level
○ Height vs Altitude vs Flight Level
● Separation
○ Horizontal
○ Vertical
○ Timed vs Radar
○ Inside Controlled Airspace (CAS)
○ Outside CAS
○ Arrival Separation
○ Wake Turbulence
○ When (if) can it be reduced
○ Use of speed control
■ Minimum clean vs Minimum Approach
■ When speed control can/cannot be used
○ Essential Traffic
● Holding
○ Hold entry
○ Timed vs DME Holds
○ Providing Expected Approach Times
● Vectoring
○ Minimum vectoring altitude
○ Track mile reporting
○ Approach intercepts
○ Continuous Descent Approaches
● Basic Aircraft Performance
○ Change in performance with the change of aircraft/mass
● Radiotelephony
○ Identification, Verification
○ Climb
○ Unrestricted Climb
○ Descent
○ Unrestricted Descent
○ Giving QNH at correct points
○ Assigning Headings
○ Assigning Speed
○ Directs
○ Conditional Headings
○ Traffic information
○ Terminating radar services
 ○ Weather diversion
○ Hold entry
○ Hold exit
○ Emergency

Controller 1
● The responsibilities of a CTR position and why it exists.
● Aircraft
○ High altitude performance
○ A/C type performance
○ Effect on climb performance with different A/C masses
● Wind
○ How a headwind/tailwind changes aircraft climb/descent paths
○ Relationship between Groundspeed and Airspeed
● Airspeed
○ Relationship between IAS/TAS/Mach No.
○ Relationship between altitude and airspeed
○ Relationship between turn radius and TAS
○ Speed transition concept
○ Mach Number Technique
● Issuing STAR clearances
● Separation
○ Use of Mach number
○ Vectoring Geometry
○ Crossing Point
○ Crossing Angle
○ Procedural Separation
● Enroute Holding
● RVSM Airspace
● Radiotelephony
○ STAR Clearances
○ Position reports
○ Speed Control