There are two parts to this stage of your ATC Training:
1) Preparation for and passage of the VATUSA S3 ATC Exam
2) Preparation for and passage of the ZNY Non-Major TRACON checkout session.
OR
2) Major Facility Departure Certification
Note: Passage of the VATUSA S3 Exam IS REQUIRED for working traffic on the VATSIM Network. PLEASE, put effort into learning the material below and passing the exam. If you fail the exam, there is a MANDATORY 7 day waiting period before taking the exam a second time. Study and use all resources available. The VATUSA Exams are open book.
Reference Materials:
+ FAA Order JO 7110.65S - Air Traffic Control Regulations (You should have realized the importance of this at this point)
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 Training classes that are available to you (Levels 4 & 5).
You have two options at this point. You may pick up non-Major TRACON Certification OR you may proceed with obtaining Departure Certification at your Major Facility. Should you desire Major Facility Departure Certification, proceed to the Departure Training Page for your assigned Major Facility.
If you would like non-Major Certification, continue below:
With the VATUSA Exam out of the way, passage of this portion should be fairly straight forward. All you'll be asked to do is to put the information you've learned to used with some simulated traffic. We do NOT expect perfection and we understand that you're still learning. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, try things, and it's probably your first chance to see the results of ATC instructions.
To accomplish this, contact a ZNY Mentor or Instructor and set up a time to meet and go through the session. Contact information can be found on the Staff Roster Page or in the Staff Contact Information post in the ZNY Forums.
Once the checkout is complete, you'll be free to work Departure and Approach at non-Major facilities at ZNY in addition to Delivery, Ground, and Tower. If you want to work the TRACON at your assigned Major facility, the training will continue, but in even more detail. If you are interested in Major facility training, go back to the ATC Training Center and click on the link for your assigned Major facility.
