ZLA Practical Test Standards for Approach positions

PTS-002	VATSIM Los Angeles ARTCC	ZLA
Subject:	ZLA Practical Test Standards - Approach	Version 1.0
POC: ZLA Chief Instructor	Comments	12/17/2002

1. PURPOSE:

This Practical Test Standard (PTS) outlines the areas of knowledge to be demonstrated by controllers applying for privileges to operate Approach positions within ZLA ARTCC during examination by a Staff Instructor. The exam will be required and conducted in accordance with the ZLA Qualification Table as well as for those requiring a recertification exam at the Approach Position. These standards will allow controllers to prepare for the “over-the-shoulder” (OTS) exam, and will provide a basis for the exam session for the instructor.

2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This PTS shall be maintained, revised, updated or cancelled by the Chief Instructor on behalf of the ARTCC Chief and shall be in effect unless there is a conflict with the VATUSA/VATSIM policies in which case they shall supercede these testing standards.

3. DISTRIBUTION:

This PTS is applicable to instructors examining ZLA controllers and may be used by any ZLA member in preparation for an OTS.

4. BACKGROUND:

"Over-the-shoulder" tests (OTS) are a useful tool for assessing controller skill. The use of OTS exams will be incorporated into the Center Training Program. To insure consistent exams are given by instructors, standards shall be developed for all OTS exams. This PTS will list all knowledge areas that controllers operating Approach positions within ZLA ARTCC will be required to understand and employ.

5. EXAM PROCEDURE:

The Exam shall be conducted in the SOCAL area while the Student works the Approach position (LAX_APP). The student shall be logged onto the VATSIM network under the call sign LAX_(V)S_APP. The Instructor shall log onto the VATSIM network under the call sign LAX_(V)I_APP as long as the OTS is in progress, and shall not simultaneously work another position in order to assure full attention is paid to the exam. Instructors shall print a copy of the PTS in order to facilitate complete and accurate scoring. All items are to be tested by either direct observation during the completion of a task, or if traffic does not permit completion of an item, the Instructor will ask a question pertaining to that task. Instructors will mark a Check Mark (√ ) in either the Practical or Oral column for each item completed/answered correctly. For each incorrectly performed/answered item, an X will be placed in the applicable column and a description of the error annotated in the remarks column for that item. Items marked as (ASRC Users) may be marked with "N/A" if the student is using ProController. A maximum of 20 additional questions may be asked (1 per item) of the listed items to ensure that the student is knowledgeable in the subject areas. Additional Questions shall be marked under the Additional Questions (AQ) column in the same way as for the Practical/Oral columns.

A student will have successfully completed the OTS if ALL the following conditions are met:

80% or more of the listed items are completed correctly by either practical or oral exam.
80% or more of the additional questions are correctly answered.
All Critical Tasks are successfully completed

If either score above is less than 80%, or if any of the Critical Tasks are failed, then the OTS will be considered a failure and additional training will be required prior to being allowed a re-test.

6. EXAM SUBJECTS:

P=Practical, O=Oral, AQ=Additional Questions, Bold Red Text=Critical Task
Item #	Standard	P	O	AQ	Remarks
General
1	Demonstrates SOP/Policy Knowledge and Adherence
2	Demonstrates knowledge of proper Radio Frequency usage IAW applicable SOP
3	Controller ATIS IAW SOP ZLA-003
4	Sector File Usage IAW General Requirements Policy
5	Demonstrates understanding of speed restriction minima as outlined in 7110.65 (5-7-3)
6	Demonstrates understanding of Holding Instructions IAW 7110.65 (4-6-4)
7	Demonstrates understanding of Radar Identification techniques IAW 7110.65 (Chapter 5 Section 3)
8	Demonstrates/Understands application of traffic advisories when needed
Airspace Knowledge
9	Understands Airspace Lateral Boundaries
10	Understands Airspace Vertical Boundaries
11	Understands MVA's/MEA's of Airspace
12	Understands/Demonstrates knowledge of Restricted Airspace
13	Demonstrates knowledge of Nav-Aids within Airspace
14	Identifies Nav-Aid names by 3 letter ID
15	Identifies Frequency for a given Nav-Aid
16	Identifies 3 letter ID for a given Nav-Aid Name
Airport Knowledge
17	Demonstrates knowledge of Airports within the lateral boundaries of Approach Airspace
18	Identifies Airport Names from ICAO ID
19	Identifies Runways available
20	Identifies Approach procedures available
21	Demonstrates ability to choose an appropriate Rwy in use based on current Wx
Separation Knowledge (7110.65 Chapter 5 Section 5)
22	Understands and applies appropriate vertical/lateral separation standards between aircraft/terrain/obstacles
23	Understands/Maintains appropriate IFR separation prior to aircraft reaching the Approach gate for Simultaneous Parallel approaches.
Departures (7110.65 Chapter 4 Section 3)
24	Controller ID's himself upon initial contact.
25	Departures are properly released using acceptable release methods.
26	Demonstrates/Understands release authorization to appropriate Local Control
27	Demonstrates/Understands procedures for IFR release from uncontrolled airfields
Departures (continued)
28	Demonstrates/Understands procedures for verifying aircraft altitude information
29	Departure airspace around uncontrolled airports is protected until radar contact is established
30	Understands vectoring departures/missed approaches below MVA requirements IAW 7110.65 5-6-3
31	Understands DP's and Obstacle Clearance departures within airspace and applies them to conform to established SOP's
Approach Clearances (7110.65 Chapter 4 Section 8)
32	Demonstrates/Understands working knowledge of 7110.65 Chapter 4 Section 8 (Approach Clearance Procedures)
33	Demonstrates/Understands proper phraseology for instrument approaches.
34	Demonstrates/Understands working knowledge of 7110.65 Chapter 5 Section 6 (Radar Vectoring)
35	Demonstrates/Understands proper phraseology for Instrument approach clearances for vectored aircraft (PTAC)
36	Properly relays Arrival Wx information when ATIS is not available
37	Ensures arrivals are established on approach prior to transfer of communications to Local Control/Advisories
38	Allows arrivals to uncontrolled airports to change to Advisory frequency when direct communication is no longer needed
Handoffs and Point Outs (7110.65 Chapter 5 Section 4)
39	Initiates handoffs in a timely manner
40	Completes handoffs prior to aircraft leaving lateral/vertical boundary
41	Understands/Ensures Radio transfer is completed prior to aircraft crossing the lateral/vertical boundary
42	Demonstrates knowledge of surrounding ATC Facilities and their handoff points/requirements.
43	Demonstrates ability to initiate, approve, deny point outs to/from other facilities. Knowledgeable in proper phraseology used in point out operations
44	Accepts/Declines Handoffs in a timely manner
45	Understands coordination required with accepting controller prior to making any altitude or route/Heading changes after a handoff has been accepted