Sam K - 1445607

Hi everyone, The Air Traffic Services department is happy to announce some major changes that will occur in AIRAC 2210, effective the 6th October at 11am AEDT / 10am AEST / 8am AWST. A few months ago, the VATPAC Board voted in favour of removing support for Euroscope, in line with community/membership demand. Resources will be focused solely on the maintenance of the dataset for a single ATC client, vatSys. This means Euroscope will no longer receive AIRAC cycle updates and any existing files will not be compatible with the new changes outlined below. Changes are being made to the rules regarding extending sectors. As of 2210, controllers connected to the positions ML-ASP_CTR and BN-ISA_CTR will not be permitted to extend to positions in the other FIR. For example, a controller logged into ML-ASP cannot extend into any YBBB “Brisbane Centre” positions. This is due to the large size of the sectors. A number of changes to primary (parent) and secondary (child) sectors/frequencies have occurred to re-align our sectors and sector groupings with the IRL positions and units. These groupings allow some previously remote sectors to have more involvement and engagement with traffic across a wider area, whilst also improving workload management for other sectors during high density traffic situations such as the weekly Milk Run Monday event. The changes also align 99% of our sectors with the IRL sectors which also make it easier to manage minor changes in the future with information being collected directly from the Designated Airspace Handbook (DAH). The majority of these changes have occurred along the J-curve, however some minor changes have been made in other sectors. Detailed list of changes: ELW Redistribution of YWE and WON subsectors. Realign airspace of ELW, BLA and SNO to DAH definition. BIK Redistribution of GTH and KAT subsectors. Addition of GUN (128.4) subsector. TBD Redistribution of MUN, OXL and BKE subsectors. YWE Allocated as the primary sector. Reallocated WON, MUN, OXL, GTH and KAT subsectors. ASP Reallocation of ESP and BKE subsectors. PIY Redistribution of MZI and ESP subsectors. OLW Reallocation of MZI subsector. TRT Redistribution of STR subsector. ARA Removed as a primary position and reallocated to ISA as a subsector. ISA Reallocation of STR, CVN and ARA subsectors. INL Redistribution of CVN as a subsector. Addition of new subsectors GOL (130.4) and NSA (124.1). Realign airspace of INL, DOS and BUR to DAH definition. ARL Addition of new CNK (123.4) and MNN (130.1) subsectors. Realign airspace of ARL and MLD to DAH definition. Changes are also being made to the solo-endorsement for enroute controllers. S3 controllers exercising the privileges of a solo endorsement on ML-TBD primary sector may now, at their discretion and in alignment with the existing extended coverage policy, extend and cover the ML-YWE primary sector. This will give students (when they are comfortable) the ability to manage arrivals into 2 aerodromes from multiple directions. This will also allow them to provide full coverage from the border of the ML and SY TMA to Adelaide. The ATC Training Department will continue to use Euroscope to drive the simulator sessions for the foreseeable future, however students will be required to use vatSys. Instructors will be encouraged to expose their students to the live network using Over-The-Shoulder style sessions. Additionally, there is a vatSys training simulator currently in development. We understand that a small number of community members will be affected by these changes and we apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding. However, with the absolute majority (90%) of VATPAC controllers utilising the vatSys software, it is no longer feasible to allocate our precious volunteer resources in this manner. The Air Traffic Services department is happy to receive feedback from the community regarding this change via the helpdesk. Cheers, VATPAC Director ATS

The VATPAC Air Traffic Services Department is looking for motivated and passionate members from the community to join our team. We currently have multiple opportunities vacant, outlined below: AIS Manager (VATPAC Portfolio Manager Position) – Please express interest to join here. Airspace Coordinator (VATPAC Staff Position) – Please express interest to join here. Publications Coordinator (VATPAC Staff Position) – Please express interest to join here. A copy of the position descriptions can be found below. AIS Manager.docx.pdfAirspace Coordinator.docx.pdfPublications Coordinator.docx.pdf

Hi everyone, Throughout the last few months our VATPAC Air Traffic Services (ATS) Team have been working hard behind the scenes on overhauling our department to further improve our training system and applying focus on maintaining standards within our division. Thanks to our ATC feedback system (helpdesk.vatpac.org), discord and social media platforms we have collected a lot of valuable input from the community over time. This also includes feedback received within our ATC Training Team, identifying ongoing challenges with increased workload as we continue to see more and more community members wanting training to become controllers on VATSIM in this division. Keeping in mind all VATPAC staff are community volunteers, doing their best during downtime outside of the real-world commitments. That being said, we have some exciting changes outlined below. Training: Introduction of a new and improved Training Management System (TMS) - TMS - VATSIM Australia Pacific (vatpac.org), streamlining our training process, thanks to Will Smart. Re-structure of training roles, with the mentor position removed, allowing us to transition to instructor roles only. I1 – Rating (S2 training and assessments) I3 – Rating (S2, S3 and C1 training and assessments) Ability to independently train and assess a student, streamlining our mentoring and assessment process. The option is still available for another assessor when deemed appropriate by the instructor. Train the Trainer (TTT) courses (I1 & I3) developed for existing and future instructors, thanks to Matt Kelly. Flexibility in the utilisation of over the shoulder (OTS) on the network for achieving competency outcomes following an assessment if deemed required by the instructor. Currently in progress: Recruitment of additional instructors to join the ATC Training Team. Expression of interest currently open, link here. ATC Training moodle revamp (theory courses). All training courses to be audited and updated appropriately. This will include completing the C3 course and developing further courses helping reduce practical workload on our instructors. Standards: Successful recruitment of Subject Matter Experts (SME) forming part of the ATC Standards Team. We currently have 4 SMEs with a variety of real-world controlling experience on Delivery, Ground, Tower, Approach, Director and Center. These SMEs will be responsible for supporting the training team where necessary and providing advice to tickets received via the helpdesk or requests via discord. Currently in progress: Closer aligning training practices with real world procedures and update controlling philosophy to better utilise technology available to VATSIM controllers (i.e. vatSys). E.g. procedural tower coordination requirements, standardising actions surrounding activating & deactivating FDRs, etc On another note, you may have seen we recently released a newly proposed VATPAC Air Traffic Services Policy for consultation with the community allowing for feedback up until the 8/04/22. A noticeable change is the implementation of the S1 (Developmental Rating) position in this division. Many of you might be wondering why we would do that... not seeing the need or a requirement in the VATPAC division. Here’s why we are considering this rating: As mentioned at the start of this post, we have received a lot of feedback especially since the community dramatically grew during COVID, therefore increasing wait times for training. This brought on challenges for the training team with increased workload as we seen more students come through. To allow us to streamline the entire training process we have already implemented many changes listed above. The biggest challenge now is continuing to reduce instructor workload while retaining and even improving quality on the network. Implementing the S1 rating would achieve the following objectives Instructor workload reduction. Allowing community members to receive their first VATSIM rating sooner. Easing controllers onto the network for the first time, limiting immediate exposure to busy aerodromes while learning how the network operates through online experience instead of multiple mentoring sessions and long wait times for your S2 rating. VATPAC S1 would be permitted to operate the following positions: - Delivery; and - Ground; and - Tower positions outlined below (under an automatically issued solo endorsement). - YSCB, YBCG, YPPH, YPAD, YBTL, YMAV, YSBK, YPJT, YBAF, YPPF, YSCN, YMMB (subject to change) Key changes to the initial eligibility criteria outlined below: - Minimum of 50 20 hours logged as a Pilot or Observer; and - Minimum of 20 10 meaningful hours logged observing ATC. S1 Assessment process outlined below: - Studied and obtained a pass in the S1 theory course; and - Completed at least one mentoring session and deemed competent to hold the rating by an approved VATPAC Instructor. See comparison image below outlining differences between the proposed S1 rating and existing S2 rating (initial controller rating). I encourage all community members to provide feedback, criticism and suggestions on the following thread, link here. Cheers, Sam S1_S2_Comp.pdf

The VATPAC Air Traffic Services Department is looking for motivated and passionate members from the community to join our team as an ATC Instructor. Please express interest to join here. A copy of the position description can be found below. ATC Instructor - I1.pdf

Hi everyone, The VATPAC Air Traffic Services Department is looking for a motivated and passionate member from the community to join our team as the ATC Training Manager. The ATC Training Manager is responsible for leading a group of talented voluntary VATPAC members, playing a crucial role in allowing community members achieve a VATSIM ATC rating on the network. Duties: · Manages the ATC Training Team, assists with projects. · Monitor and administer the VATPAC Training Management System (email or other) · Manage ATC Training Requests · Check eligibility, theory exams and post requests to the ATC Training staff forum. · Monitor uptake of ATC Practical Assessment and Mentoring requests. · Process Assessment completion. · Maintain a database of all assessment and training requests. · Assist in development of the training process department wide Essential Criteria: · Be a general member in good standing of VATPAC (and VATSIM) for 12 months at the time of application. · Be rated on VATSIM to no less than an Enroute Controller (C1) rating. · Have demonstrated strong understanding and VATSIM experience in all types of ATC positions · Have demonstrated good knowledge of the VATSIM Code of Conduct, Code of Regulations and Global Rating Policy (GRP) · Be able to work well in a volunteer organisation and understand the expectations of a volunteer staff member. · Ability to work independently and in a team where required. · Ability to organise and prioritise tasks to meet deadlines. · Real world experience in the Aviation industry (Desirable) · Have proven ability with the use of VATSIM Approved Controller Client Software · Have experience on an ATC Training Team within VATSIM (Desirable) · Understand and support the concepts and principles of competency-based training and assessment · Have some experience in teaching, instructing, or consistently helping others to achieve their goals (in any level and in area of knowledge) · Have an attitude that will inspire others to teach and to learn, while creating a friendly environment for the learning process to take place · Have proven ability in the management of a small group of people. · Have an attitude that will inspire others to teach and to learn, while creating a friendly environment for the learning process to take place · Have proven ability in the management of a small group of people. Refer link below for applying. Application for ATC Training Manager ATC Training Manager - PD.pdf Applications Close: 23:59AEDT 2nd January 2022.

Big Congratulations to Ethan who successfully achieved his S2 rating this morning.

Congratulations to Alex who successfully achieved his S2 rating this evening.

Congratulations to Jacob who successfully achieved his S2 rating this evening.

Congratulations to Mark who successfully achieved his S2 rating on Friday.

Congratulations to Brodie who just obtained his S2 rating, after nailing the exam.

Congratulations to Dan who successfully achieved his C1 rating yesterday with ease.

Congratulations to Phil who successfully achieved his S2 rating this morning.

Congratulations to Flynn who successfully achieved his S2 rating this evening.

@Zach Biesse-Fitton

Nice work Liley