Below, you will find the information necessary to accomplish the following tasks:
1) Pass the ZNY S1 Exam to obtain DEL/GND certification at non-Major facilities.
2) Earn promotion to VATUSA S1 (DEL/GND).
Note: Passage of the ZNY S1 Exam is required to work traffic on the Network. PLEASE take your time going through the training information. There is lots to learn and it will take time. Log onto the Network as an Observer and ask questions. Log onto the TeamSpeak server and ask questions if needed.
The areas of concentration are as follows:
Basic Air Traffic Control Training
+ Duty priority and ATC principles
+ Coordination
+ METARs and Weather
+ ATIS Information
+ Flight Strips and Flight Plans
+ National Airspace System (NAS)
+ Voice Communications
Clearance Delivery Training
+ How to issue a clearance (both IFR and VFR)
+ Departure Procedures (DPs)
+ Coordination
Ground Training
+ Basic Ground Operations
+ Sequencing
+ Coordination
You will need the following material as additional sources of information:
+ FAA Order JO 7110.65S - Air Traffic Control Regulations (this is a VERY important document. Please save as a PDF locally for reference in the future)
+ VATUSA Real World Reference Materials (Link opens in new window)
+ METAR Manual
To learn the above concepts, follow the steps below:
1) Read the material on the VATUSA Basic ATC Training Page (Link opens in new window)
2) Read the VATUSA Ground Manual (Link opens in new window)
3) Log in to your Controller Panel and take the Basic ATC, Delivery, and Ground Flash Classes available to you (Classes 10x, 11x, and 12x).
Taking the ZNY S1 Exam (DEL/GND) and Advancing to Ground
You may take the ZNY S1 Exam (DEL/GND) 24 hours after receiving the Welcome E-mail. This allows the testing system to properly add you to the database. You MUST take the ZNY S1 Exam (DEL/GND) before controlling online at any level.
To take the ZNY Non-Major Local Test, login to your Controller Panel and click on "Test Center." From there you will see a link to the "ZNY S1" class. Click on "Tests and Surveys" and then you can click on the actual test ("ZNY S1") to begin. The test is not timed and consists of 20 questions about Basic ATC, Clearance Delivery, and Ground. Take your time. If you fail the test, it will be re-assigned in 7 days.
If you pass the test, the instructing staff is automatically notified and ZNY will process your promotion to VATUSA S1 (DEL/GND) within 24 hours. Please allow up to 24 hours after receiving notice of the promotion before logging onto the Network as an S1. The Network must update your record and this occurs in ~24 hours.
What This Means for You
First, Congratulations!
By passing the ZNY S1 Exam (DEL/GND) and earning your promotion to Student 1 (DEL/GND) you have earned the right to work as a Delivery or Ground controller at all non-Major Facilities at ZNY. The Major vs. non-Major facility list can be found in the ZNY Policies Manual.
What's Next?
You have two options at this point...
1. Continue training at non-Major Facilities and become approved to work at the Tower level by completing the steps outlined on the VATUSA S2 Training Page
2. Begin training at Major Facilities (EWR, JFK, LGA, and PHL). In order to accomplish certification to work at your assigned Major Facility, click on the appropriate facility on the ATC Training Center
