GATWICK ADC ENDORSEMENT – Revision 1.

0
tbd

Training Department

GATWICK ADC ENDORSEMENT

SYLLABUS

REVISION 1.1 - Effective 13/02/2022

GATWICK ADC ENDORSEMENT – Revision 1.1
13/02/2022

Distribution and Scope

This document details the training syllabus for the Gatwick ADC Endorsement in VATSIM UK.

Exclusion of Liability
This manual is for use on the VATSIM Network only and should never be adopted for real world use.
The information published by VATSIM UK within this document is made available without warranty of any
kind; the Organisation accepts no responsibility or liability whether direct or indirect, as to the currency,
accuracy or quality of the information, nor for any consequence of its use.

Amendment History
Revision Effective Date Notes
1.0 04/04/2021 First Publication
1.1 13/02/2022 Removed duplicate bullet point in section 4.9
GATWICK ADC ENDORSEMENT – Revision 1.1
13/02/2022

Contents
Distribution and Scope................................................................................................................................... 2
Exclusion of Liability....................................................................................................................................... 2
Amendment History ...................................................................................................................................... 2
Section 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 4
Section 2 Grading ...................................................................................................................................... 4
2.1 Not Covered ................................................................................................................................... 5
2.2 Covered.......................................................................................................................................... 5
2.3 Developing ..................................................................................................................................... 5
2.4 Good .............................................................................................................................................. 5
2.5 Test Standard ................................................................................................................................. 5
Section 3 Theoretical Knowledge Syllabus .................................................................................................. 5
Section 4 Course Aims ............................................................................................................................... 6
4.1 Stand Allocation ............................................................................................................................. 6
4.2 Aerodrome Movement Area........................................................................................................... 6
4.3 Flight Plans ..................................................................................................................................... 6
4.4 Standard Instrument Departures .................................................................................................... 6
4.5 Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) ....................................................................................................... 7
4.6 Areas of Responsibility ................................................................................................................... 7
4.7 Runway in Use................................................................................................................................ 7
4.8 Safety ............................................................................................................................................. 7
4.9 VFR Traffic ...................................................................................................................................... 7
4.10 Coordination .................................................................................................................................. 8
4.11 Workload Management.................................................................................................................. 8
Section 5 Mentoring Report Structure ....................................................................................................... 8
5.1 Controlling ..................................................................................................................................... 8
5.2 Planning ......................................................................................................................................... 8
5.3 Coordination .................................................................................................................................. 8
GATWICK ADC ENDORSEMENT – Revision 1.1
13/02/2022

Section 1 Introduction
The syllabus details the competencies and content covered by the S1 training course in VATSIM UK. Students
will meet the learning objectives through independent study of material provided in eLearning courses and
traditional documentation, supported by mentors and instructors in one-to-one and group teaching
sessions. Students are encouraged to ask questions on the New Controller Training Group forum.

Section 2 Grading
In a mentoring report, a student will be graded on each of the competencies included in this syllabus in
accordance with the rubric in this section.
The rubric approximately follows the first five objectives from the cognitive domain of Bloom’s taxonomy:
remember, understand, apply, analyse, and evaluate. Creation of new material is not required, but mentors
may wish to use this in their own teaching.

Not every student will precisely fit the definition for a single grade. The mentor’s judgement and experience
will be needed to decide which grade to award for a given competency.
Before submission for practical examination, a student:
● Must have completed a theory examination (on the Central Training System)

● Have reached ‘Good’ in all competencies.

● Should have reached ‘Test Standard’ in most competencies.

Mentors and instructors will need to use their judgement and experience to decide when it is
appropriate to submit a student for practical examination.
GATWICK ADC ENDORSEMENT – Revision 1.1
13/02/2022

2.1 Not Covered

The student has not covered the competency.

2.2 Covered
Key facts and concepts can be recalled, with some understanding shown. If the student has demonstrated
practical application, it will be with significant mentor input.

2.3 Developing
Knowledge is satisfactorily applied to practical situations with some mentor input. A strong understanding is
shown, either explicitly (e.g. answering questions) or implicitly (e.g. in practical decision-making).

2.4 Good
Routine situations are handled with little mentor input; more uncommon situations are handled with some
mentor input. Understanding of multiple competencies is integrated, either explicitly (e.g. answering
questions) or implicitly (e.g. in practical decision-making).

2.5 Test Standard

Most situations are handled with minimal mentor input. Appropriate consideration is given to the long-term
effects of actions. The student can justify decisions, explaining where appropriate why they chose to take it
rather than an alternative.

Section 3 Theoretical Knowledge Syllabus

The Gatwick ADC | S1 Endorsement e-Learning course covers the theoretical content of the Gatwick Ground
Endorsement, including:

• Gatwick Ground Specifics

o Taxi Routings & Holding Points
o Safety & Efficiency
o Northern Runway Operations
• Gatwick ATC Positions
o Gatwick ATC Positions
o London ATC Positions
• Gatwick Flight Planning
o Standard Instrument Departures
o Route Planning
• Gatwick Stand Planning
o Stand Allocation
• Gatwick Coordination
o VFR Aircraft
o IFR Aircraft
GATWICK ADC ENDORSEMENT – Revision 1.1
13/02/2022

Section 4 Course Aims

4.1 Stand Allocation
The student should be able to:
● Select a stand number for a given aircraft based on its size and operator (airline);
● Use the Euroscope arrival list and the UK Controller Plugin (UKCP) to assign stands.

4.2 Aerodrome Movement Area

The student should be able to:
● Describe and state the uses of aprons, taxiways, and runways;
● Consider local taxiway and apron restrictions (width, runway infringement, etc.) when issuing
ground movement instructions.

4.3 Flight Plans

The student should be able to:
● Amend a flight plan using Euroscope;
● Identify and correct invalid flight plan routings from EGKK using the UK Standard Route Document
(SRD) and/or by other relevant means. Corrections include but are not limited to:
o Allocating initial altitudes and levels for a given departure instruction (clearance from
APC/TC/AC or as per a SID);
o Verifying and correcting RFLs in accordance with the ‘semi-circular’ rule;
o Stating where the ‘semi-circular’ rule is used in a ‘north-south’ or ‘east-west’ configuration;
o Verifying and correcting incorrect RFLs which exceed inter-TMA and bordering FIR cruise
level restrictions from EGKK.

UK controllers only need to correct a flight plan up to the EGTT/EGPX VATSIM FIR boundary.

4.4 Standard Instrument Departures

The student should be able to:
● List the Gatwick Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs);
● Assign the correct SID for the filed route and correct as necessary (section 3.2.3);
● Describe what the conventional and non-conventional SIDs are, their usage, and their restrictions;
● Coordinate and issue alternative departure instructions where aircraft are unable to use a published
SID.
GATWICK ADC ENDORSEMENT – Revision 1.1
13/02/2022

4.5 Low Visibility Procedures (LVP)

The student should be able to:
● Describe the purpose of Low Visibility Procedures (safeguarding inclusive);
● State the minima for their enforcement at EGKK;
● Describe and practically demonstrate an understanding of their effects on aerodrome operations;
● Update an ATIS to reflect the enforcement of LVPs;
● Coordinate with adjacent controllers as appropriate where LVPs are in-force.

4.6 Areas of Responsibility

The student should be able to:
● State their responsibilities when operating as the GMP or GMC controller at EGKK as set out in the
Gatwick ADC Moodle course and vMATS Part 2.

Students should have a basic understanding of the AoR of Tower (AIR), Approach Control (APC), and Enroute
Control (CTR) controllers.

4.7 Runway in Use

The student should be able to:
● Select an appropriate runway for use in the absence of a controller covering the duties of the AIR
controller based on:
o The surface wind,
o The 2000ft wind (free wind),
o Local restrictions.

4.8 Safety
The student should be able to:
● Describe the ‘red carpet rule’;
● Practically apply the ‘red carpet rule’ when issuing ground movement instructions.

4.9 VFR Traffic

The student should be able to:
● Request a VFR circuit and CTR exit/entry clearance from the controller covering the duties of the
AIR;
● Describe what a Visual Reference Point (VRP) and CTR entry/exit lane is and should be able to
correctly include these in clearances where requested to do so;
● Create a flight plan for an aircraft without one pre-filed.
GATWICK ADC ENDORSEMENT – Revision 1.1
13/02/2022

4.10 Coordination
The student should be able to:

• State the purpose of coordination;

• Coordinate with the relevant controllers to facilitate the functions of GMP and GMC, this includes
but is not limited to:
o Prenotes,
o Clearances,
o Flow restriction (MDIs, CTOTs, EOBTs),
o Runway change.
• Receive/provide a handover from/to the previous/next controller.

4.11 Workload Management

The student should be able to:
• Demonstrate effective communication priority and maintain an effective level of control during busy
periods;
• Manage outbound delays by absorbing them ‘on stand’ or using remote stands wherever possible;
• Remain professional on all communication media.

Section 5 Mentoring Report Structure

5.1 Controlling
• IFR Departure Clearances – 4.3, 4.4, 4.7
• VFR Departure Clearances – 3.9
• Taxi Instructions – 4.2, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8
• Stand Allocation – 4.1, 4.6
• Workload Management – 4.8, 4.11

5.2 Planning
• Gatwick-Specific Knowledge – 4.2, 4.4
• Efficient Handoffs – 4.6

5.3 Coordination
• Standard – 4.3, 4.5, 4.10
• Non-Standard – 4.3, 4.10
• VFR – 4.9, 4.10