Removal Policy

POC: Facility Advisory Board	Date: 2008-09-25
Code: ZLA	Version: 2.00

1. PURPOSE.

This Policy establishes criteria for removal of individuals from 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 was originally drafted by David Hendleman, ZLA Facility Chief on November 27, 2002, and approved by Dane Penington, VATUSA Western Regional Director, and was substantially amended by Shawn Goldsworthy, ZLA Air Traffic Manager on September 25, 2008, and approved by Jeremy Bucholz, VATUSA Western Regional Air Traffic Director. 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 is intended for use by ZLA ARTCC administrative staff.

4. BACKGROUND.

The Los Angeles ARTCC wishes to maintain a concise roster of respectful, highly-motivated, well-trained, and experienced controllers.

5. REQUIREMENTS.

The following conditions shall, at the discretion of the ZLA Air Traffic Manager, constitute grounds for removal of an individual from the ZLA ARTCC and result in loss of controlling privileges in ZLA. Although the ZLA Air Traffic Manager reserves the right to use the provisions of this policy at any time when controllers are subject to them, it is the long-standing procedure of ZLA not to remove controllers for cause except for willful serious violations of ZLA policy, serious and repeated violations of the standards of acceptable conduct, not passing or showing improvement on the entry tests after many attempts, or inactivity.

Conditions that may result in removal from ZLA:

1. Failure to become a qualified ZLA controller (pass ZLA Basic Exam, pass ZLA Clearance Delivery Exam, receive operating initials from Facility Air Traffic Manager, and work one over-the-shoulder session with a mentor; or for those controllers only wishing to work minor airports, complete a competency check with a ZLA instructor or mentor) within the 60 days following assignment to ZLA, transfer to ZLA, or application for Visiting Controller privileges in ZLA.*

2. A period of inactivity of 120 days or greater.* ZLA uses the VATSIM data servers to keep a record of all logins. ZLA members who fail to log at least one continuous half-hour at any active controlling position in a 60-day period will be set to "inactive" status, and must contact the Facility Air Traffic Manager in order to return to the active roster. If a response is not received within a further 60-day period, the controller may be removed from the ZLA roster.

3. Failure to successfully complete the ZLA Basic Examination with a score of 80 percent or higher after four attempts; controllers removed under this section are eligible to rejoin the roster six months from the date of the last failure.

4. Failure to successfully complete the ZLA Clearance Delivery Examination with a score of 80 percent or higher after three attempts; controllers removed under this section are eligible to rejoin the roster six months from the date of the last failure.

5. Failure to comply with the ZLA Position Restrictions Policy.

6. Suspension from VATSIM.

7. Willful failure to comply with ZLA policies or procedures.

8. Substantial and repetitive failure to embrace any of the ZLA goals as stated in the ZLA Mission Statement.

10. Serious failure to comply with Regulations, Polices, and the Code of Conduct set forth by VATSIM.

*Unless a pre-arranged leave of absence has been approved by the ZLA Air Traffic Manager.