Visiting and Transfer Controller Policy

POC: Facility Advisory Board	Date: 2008-01-03
Code: ZLA-007	Version: 1.80

1. PURPOSE

This Policy establishes criteria for Visiting and Transferring Controllers in the Los Angeles ARTCC.

2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) for this Policy is the ZLA Facility Advisory Board. This Policy shall be maintained, revised, updated or cancelled by the ZLA Facility Advisory Board or any organization that supersedes, replaces or assumes the FAB responsibilities. Any suggestions for modification/amendment to this Policy should be sent to the FAB for review.

3. DISTRIBUTION

This Policy pertains to individuals seeking entry into the ZLA ARTCC as “Visiting Controller,” or transferring from other ARTCCs. This Policy replaces Visiting Controller Policy v. 1.3 and Transfer Policy v. 1.2.

4. BACKGROUND

The Los Angeles ARTCC wishes to maintain a concise roster of respectful, highly-motivated, well-trained, and experienced controllers. VATSIM has authorized each ARTCC to develop a policy, consistent with VATSIM policy, pertaining to “Visiting Controllers” and transfers into its ARTCC.

5. REQUIREMENTS

The following rules shall apply to individuals who are not members of the ZLA Controller Staff, and who are seeking privileges as a ZLA “Visiting Controller,” or seeking to transfer into the Los Angeles ARTCC:

1. The Visiting/Transfer Controller must be in good standing in his ARTCC of origin.

2. Prospective visiting controllers must be aware that ZLA's training services to visitors are limited to familiarization with its airspace and local procedures only; teaching general controlling techniques, phraseology, etc. is the responsibility of a controller's home ARTCC. ZLA may, at the discretion of the Air Traffic Manager or Training Administrator, cease a Visiting Controller's training if he deems the controller to lack the basic skills necessary to control traffic in its airspace. Candidate visitors are asked to consider the implication of this requirement carefully prior to visiting ZLA.

3. The Visiting/Transfer Controller must comply with the ZLA Position Restrictions Table.

4. The Visiting/Transfer Controller wishing to plug in to any ZLA position designated as "Minor" will be required to undergo a rating competency check administered by the ZLA training staff.

5. The Visiting/Transfer Controller wishing to plug in to any ZLA position designated as "Major" or "LCTP" will be required to take and pass all written and practical (“over-the-shoulder”) exams corresponding to the position the controller intends to work.

6. The Visiting/Transfer Controller must comply with all ZLA Policies and Procedures. In particular, the controller wishing to plug in to any ZLA position designated as "Major" or "LCTP" will have to be explicitly authorized to do so on the ZLA Crew Roster, regardless of the controller's current VATSIM rating.

7. Individuals holding the rating of “Instructor” in their previous/home ARTCC shall not use this rating in ZLA, and shall plug in as Senior Controller when acting as Visiting/Transfer Controller in ZLA ARTCC.

8. All individuals must meet the criteria to obtain ZLA Operating Initials within 30 days following application for Visiting Controller privileges in ZLA, or transfer into ZLA.

Individuals who wish to obtain privileges as “Visiting Controller” within the Los Angeles ARTCC shall take the following steps, in order, prior to plugging into any control position in ZLA:

1. The candidate must request that the Chief of the ARTCC of which the candidate is a member send an e-mail to the ZLA Air Traffic Manager indicating that the candidate is in good standing.

2. Study the ZLA Policies and Procedures.

3. Study the ZLA Position Restrictions Table.

4. Contact the ZLA Air Traffic Manager to obtain operating initials.

5. Contact ZLA training staff via ZLA Forum to arrange supervised rating competency check.