Training Course
Aerodrome Controller course (S2 rating)

Skills

Prerequisite:
Developing Controller (S1) rating

Theory component:
Study of the S2 course materials followed by a written examination. Candidates must score 80% or better to progress to the practical training. Observe the 72-hour rule between examination attempts.

The theory study focuses on aerodrome control theory and scenario-based situations.

Practical component:
Training is conducted on the SweatBox simulator at NZAA (and later in the course, NZWN and NZCH) and with mentored online sessions. The focus is on higher traffic levels, more complex scenarios than the S1, and aerodrome control. Students must gain proficiency (not necessarily mastery) in each lesson before proceeding to the next.

Lesson 1: Setup, SOPs, & Weather

Session Type: General discussion/SweatBox

Topics:

  1. Review written examination
  2. Review METAR interpretation
  3. Review runway selection
  4. Review ATIS setup
  5. Review NZAA SOP

 

Lesson 2: DEL and GND Revision

Session Type: SweatBox

Topics:

  1. DEL and GND revision

 

Lesson 3: Network connection 1 - DEL/GND

Session Type: VATSIM student log onto NZAA GND, mentor log on to NZAA TWR

Topics:

       1. DEL and GND - operational experience

 

Lesson 4: IFR arrival and departure integration

Session Type: SweatBox

Topics:

  1. Line-up, conditional line-up clearances
  2. Take-off, qualified take-off clearances
  3. Sequencing streamed departures 
  4. Integrating arrivals and departures
  5. Landing and qualified landing clearances
  6. Go-arounds and missed approaches
  7. Coordination

 

Lesson 5: Network connection 2 - Aerodrome Control operating experience

Session Type: VATSIM student log onto NZAA_TWR. Mentor must log onto NZAA_M_TWR.

Topics:

  1. Connecting to the network
  2. Selecting duty runway
  3. Issuing ATIS
  4. Consolidation 
 

Lesson 6: VFR arrivals and departures 

Session Type: SweatBox

Topics:

  1. Departures
  2. Arrivals 
  3. Circuits

 

Lesson 7: VFR circuits

Session Type: SweatBox

Topics:

  1. Simple circuits
  2. Low-level
  3. Non-standard direction
  4. Glide approaches
  5. Short approaches
  6. Orbits
  7. Touch and go/stop and go
  8. Non-routine instructions (CLIMB STRAIGHT AHEAD, EARLY CROSSWIND TURN, etc.)

 

Lesson 8: Network connection 3 - consolidation

Session Type: VATSIM NZAA_TWR/NZAA_M_TWR

Topics:

  1. Consolidation with mentor (may comprise several sessions)
  2. The mentor may log onto NZAA_ APP when the student is proficient in all exercises
  3. Student may be further approved to operate TWR under a solo endorsement (NZAA_TWR only)

 

Lesson 9: NZWN

Session Type: SweatBox

Topics:

  1. NZWN experience
  2. (Pre-read NZWN SOP)

 

Lesson 10: NZCH 

Session Type: SweatBox

Topics:

  1. NZCH experience
  2. (Pre-read NZCH SOP)

 

Lesson 11: Pre-assessment revision

Session Type: SweatBox

Topics:

  1. All topics

 

Assessment:

Session type: SweatBox assessment
A practical evaluation covering all topics as per the VATNZ syllabus.

 

Awarded On Completion

  •  Aerodrome Controller rating (VATSIM rating S2, not valid for procedural approach control). 

Mentors

  • Levi Daniel – Mentor
  • James Ford-Hathaway – Senior Instructor
  • Fenton Loveday – Deputy Training Director/Senior Instructor
  • Tom Lyall – Instructor
  • Ben Marling – Mentor
  • Gary Parata – Training Director/Senior Instructor
  • Mark Richards – Senior Instructor
  • Mikey Robinson – Mentor
  • James Stuart – Mentor
  • Connor Sumner – Instructor

Requirements

To enrol in this course you must meet the following requirements:

RequirementMinimum
Minimum Controller RatingGround Controller
DivisionMust be a member of one of the following divisions:
  • Australia/Pacific (VATPAC)
  • New Zealand (VATNZ)

"Ground controller" refers to the VATSIM S1 rating.

Despite the above, VATPAC members may not enrol in this course. However, the above instruction allows VATPAC members to access the course materials by mutual agreement.