Below, you will find the information necessary to accomplish the following tasks:

1) Pass the ZNY S3 (TMA) Checkout
2) Pass the VATUSA S3 (TMA) Exam
3) Earn a promotion to S3 (TMA) in order to work at the Departure/Approach position at non-Major Facilities.

The areas of concentration are as follows:

+ An Intro to Departure/Approach Control
+ Airspace and Operating Positions
+ Procedural Reference
+ Coordination
+ Radar Identification and Service Termination
+ Safety Alerts and Advisories
+ Vertical Separation and Altitude Assignment
+ Radar Separation
+ Vectoring and Speed Adjustments
+ IFR Departure Procedures
+ Holding and Arrival Procedures
+ Approach Clearance Procedures
+ Special VFR and Class B/Class C Service

To learn the above concepts, follow the steps below:

1) Read and study the VATUSA Departure/Approach Training Page
2) Login to your Controller Panel and take the appropriate TRACON Flash Classes that are available to you (Classes 14x and 15x)

 

How to Advance to VATUSA S3 (TMA)

Proceed below only after understanding the material in Steps 1-2 above

 

Part I: Pass the ZNY S3 (TMA) Checkout

A Mentor/Instructor must assign you the ZNY S3 (TMA) Checkout, after verifying that you meet the requirements that will make you eligible for promotion. Eg. Online performance, meeting the rating competency requirements etc. .

Part II: SweatBox Session

After passing the ZNY S3 (TMA) Exam, you will need to request and pass a sweatbox session demonstrating your ability to work air traffic as a Departure/Approach ATC as you would on the Network. You can request this session in one of two ways:

1) Post a request for the session in the Training Request Forum
2) Schedule a time to meet with an Instructor or Mentor for the session

Upon successful completion of the checkout, the VATUSA S3 (TMA) Exam will be assigned within 24-48 hours.

Part III: Pass the VATUSA S3 (TMA) Examination

The VATUSA S3 Exam will be assigned within 24-48 hours of passing the operational checkout. If you haven't completed the operational checkout, don't bother trying or asking for the VATUSA S3 (TMA) Exam. IF you do not pass the VATUSA S3 (TMA) Exam, there is a mandatory 7 day waiting period before you can retake the exam and it will be auto assigned.

After successfully passing the VATUSA S3 (TMA) Exam, an Instructor will process your promotion to VATUSA S3 (TMA) in 24-48 hours.

What This Means for You

Congratulations! You are now a TRACON Controller on the VATSIM Network!

By earning your promotion to Senior Student (TMA) you have earned the right to work as a Delivery, Ground, Tower, Departure, and Approach Controller at all non-Major Facilities at ZNY. The Major vs. non-Major facility list can be found in the ZNY Standard Operation Procedures.

What's Next?

Here you also have two options...of sorts.

1. Your non-Major training is complete and this is the highest rating you can obtain without additional training at Major Facilities.

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 and on the ATC Training Center