ZLA Qualifications Table

View your current rating from the left column, then read left to right to view qualification requirements.

RATING

ZLA
TEST
REQ'D

WHEN ZLA
TEST IS GIVEN

DEL

GND

TWR

APP

CTR

CLASS
D

CLASS
B/C

S

ZLA
Basic

Upon Assignment
to  ZLA

 

 

 

 

SS

ZLA
 Tower

Upon passing
Basic

 

 

 

C

ZLA
Approach

Upon promotion
to SS

 

 

SC

ZLA
 Center

Upon promotion
to C

 

 

Promotions

Promotion to:

Type of Testing Required:

Recommended By:

Test Issued By:

SS

Written & OTS *

M, I, CI, AC, CF

I, CI, AC, CF

C

Written & OTS *

I, CI, AC, CF

I, CI, CF

SC

Written & OTS *

I, CI, AC, CF

I, CI, CF
 

 

 

 

Authorized.

 

 

Student must have successfully passed ZLA Tower Exam.

 

 

Mentor/Instructor Supervision Required.

 

 

Mentor/Instructor Supervision Required EXCEPT AS FOLLOWS:
    A Senior Student may plug into any Approach Facility EXCLUDING any part of Socal Approach or LAS TRACON
ONLY if the following conditions have been met --
** 1. ZLA Approach Exam passed.
** 2. Must have been a Senior Student for at least 30 days.
** 3. One hour of instruction at PSP Approach with a ZLA Instructor.
** 4. Signed off for "Student Approach" on the ZLA Qualifications Roster.

 

 

Not Authorized.

S

 

Use of Voice (_V_) permitted with Mentor/Instructor supervision.

SS

 

Voice Rating:  Written Test to be completed prior to S3 OTS.  Voice OTS Given at time of OTS for S3.

C

 

New Controllers working Approach must work a minimum of 5 hours at each SOCAL APP position, and at LAS APP prior to working LAX APP.

*

 

OTS is FORMAL. Any Operational Error ("deal") will terminate Evaluation.  Practical Test Standards will be used for these evaluations.

‡

 

Visiting Controllers and new transfers into the ARTCC are required to take and pass all applicable ZLA required tests at or below current rating as well as receive a one-time OTS prior to working any ZLA position unsupervised.  Practical Test Standards will be used for these evaluations.
 
 

About this table

The first table is designed to try to make your journey from the time you join ZLA until you reach the Senior Controller level as simple as possible.  The first column is the ATC Rating Structure.  The second column shows the ZLA Specific tests that will be required in order to achieve advancement.  The third column tells when each of the tests can be expected.  These tests will be sent to you automatically.  The 4th through last columns are a quick reference of where you can and can not work in each of the given Ratings.  Note that a Student may work ANY DEL/GND Position, but is restricted to Class D Towers only.

The second table shows what type of testing is required. The first column is the ATC Rating Structure. The next column (Recommended By:) lists who may recommend you for promotion.  Once you are recommended, your training folder will be reviewed by an Instructor and the appropriate test will be emailed to you.  Once you pass the written test the Instructor who administered your written test will arrange for a Over The Shoulder (OTS) exam.  The OTS will generally last up to an hour.  For the advancement from Student to Senior Student, the OTS will be an informal, relaxed session where the Instructor will gauge your abilities, provide guidance, and give constructive advice in how best to work the Tower Position.  The OTS for promotion to SS will include the voice endorsement OTS at the same time.

The OTS for advancement to both Controller and Senior Controller will be FORMAL evaluations where you will be scrutinized closely.  In these OTS evaluations you will be tested at the Approach Position for promotion to Controller and at the Center Position for promotion to Senior Controller.  The OTS will be thorough and may be scheduled when it is known to be busy.  During these OTS sessions you must adhere to all safety regulations.  If you should have a Operational Error ("deal") during the session the Evaluation will be terminated and you will be required to undergo "refresher" training before being allowed another OTS. 

An Operational Error ("deal") shall be defined as an occurrence attributable to the individual in question which results in any of the following:

1. Less than the applicable separation minima between two or more aircraft, or between an aircraft and terrain or obstacles, as required by FAA Order 7110.65.
2. An aircraft landing or departing on a runway closed to aircraft operations after receiving air traffic authorization.
3. Controlled occurrences where applicable separation minima, as referenced in parts 1 and 2 are maintained, but:
  a. less than the applicable separation minima existed between an aircraft and protected airspace without prior approval.
  b. an aircraft penetrated airspace that was delegated to another position of operation or another facility without prior coordination and approval.

The final Column lists who may administer the written Tests.  All OTS evaluations will be conducted by either the Chief Instructor, or one of the Instructor Staff.  All OTS evaluations will be graded based upon the published  Practical Test Standards (PTS) for all Tower, Approach, and Center Evaluations conducted within ZLA.