Greg B - 903254

Following the recent resignation of Tracy Shiffman as VATPAC Director of Events and Communication, applications are now sought from members of the VATPAC Division of VATSIM for the position of Director of Events and Communication. Director of Events & Communication Responsible to: • VATPAC Director of Division Direct Reports: • Deputy Director Events • VATPAC Communications Coordinator Duties: • Facilitates the smooth operation of all events within the VATPAC airspace. • Responsible for the organisation, promotion and execution of regularly occurring and one-off official VATPAC events. • Acts as a first point of contact and is responsible for aiding other divisions and organisations wishing to hold events in VATPAC airspace. • Develops relationships with other divisions' and organisations' event staff to arrange support for VATPAC events as well as provide support for their events. • Reports quarterly on events activity within the division, and event participation. • Liaises with Director Operations for coordination of online ATC support of VATPAC events. • Works with the Director Operations to ensure that VATPAC event information is promulgated to Partner Virtual Airlines. • Identifies and champions potential improvements for the organisation, promotion, and execution of events in VATPAC airspace. • Responsible for the Maintenance of the VATPAC Events webpage(s). • Responsible for the promotion of VATPAC events to social media sites (such as VATSIM Forums, Vroute events, VATTASTIC Event, VATPAC, VATOCE and VATSIM Facebook pages) as required. • Maintains an online presence of 5-10 hours per month on the VATSIM network. Position Holder Attributes and Requirements: • Be a member of the VATPAC Division of VATSIM for a period of at least 12 months. • Be a member of good standing in VATSIM for at least 12 months at the time of application. • ATC experience is helpful, but not mandatory in organising and facilitating events. • Be able to work well with other board members and the VATPAC community as a whole. • Have ability to maintain focus and organisation over the long run. • Be able to work well within a voluntary organisation. Members interested in being considered for the role should apply by outlining their experience and suitability for the role and providing information addressing each of the Position Holder Attributes and Requirements listed above via email to [email protected] APPLICATIONS IN STRICTEST CONFIDENCE CLOSE AT 23:59 hours AEST on Sunday 15th May 2016.

Greetings VATPAC Members, Some announcements regarding movements within the VATPAC Board. Firstly for some of our newer Members, who are the Board and what do they do? A full list of VATPAC staff can be found here http://vatpac.org/home/about/staff. I hope to update this page with a more complete list in the next few weeks. The VATPAC Board: VATPAC 1 Division Director - Greg Barber - That's me. I'm in charge of the overall running of the Division and the coordination of the other Board level portfolios. I liaise with VATSIM via the Regional Director, Jackson Harding, and I am the point of contact for many Division level policies. I have been a member of VATPAC since 2004 and prior to taking over the role of VATPAC 1 I spent 3 years as Director ATC Training. VATPAC 2 Director Operations - Joel Richters. Joel is in charge of all things Operational. THat is supporting pilots and controllers with resources of an operational nature. These include the administration of our airspace and any changes that need to occur to sectors, frequencies or controller position policies. Joel also coordinates the AIS Team who are responsible for releasing up to date sector files for our controllers (and don't they do a great job there?!). Operations also maintains all of our documentation such as our VATPAC MATS (Manual of Air Traffic Services), the bible for all our controllers and supporting documents like the Local Instructions and Procedural Tower Supplements. VATPAC 3 Director ATC Training - Peter Adamos. Peter is responsible for all things that train our controller up for their ATC ratings. He maintains the ATC Training team which includes all of our ATC mentors and instructors as well as maintaining our training resources in the Academy. VATPAC 4 Director IT - Steve Brown*. Browny looks after our website and IT infrastructure such as the Oceania FSD server (the one you most likely connect to when you fly) which is your link to the VATSIM Network. VATPAC 5 Director Events & Communications - Tracy Shiffman*. Most of you know Tracy as he is probably our most active Board member when it comes to interacting with our membership. Tracy and his team are tasked with organising our weekly and non-regular events to give us all something to do. He also coordinates all of our communications policies such as Teamspeak and our upcoming newsletter mail-out. So what are the movements to which the title of this thread refers? Events & Communications: I regret to announce that Tracy Shiffman will be stepping down as Director Events & Communications. Tracy has held this role for 3 years (after only setting out for 2) and would like to step back and enjoy his hobby a little more. I will be advertising the role in the coming days however Tracy will continue to support the Division in the role for the time being. IT: Steven Brown will be stepping down as Director IT. The Board has made the appointment of our current IT Deputy, Zach Biesse-Fitton to the role of Acting Director IT. Meanwhile Browny will stay on to assist him where required. I'd like to congratulate Zach on this appointment and hope that we can continue to move forward under his guidance. As a wise man pointed out to me yesterday: "Push forward, houses get bigger. Pull back, houses get smaller. Unless you keep pulling back, then the houses get bigger again."

Congratulations to Eoin Motherway who recently completed his Oceanic Endorsement!

Don't forget, this all happens tomorrow.

Greetings, I am pleased to announce that Mr Peter Adamos has been appointed to the role of Director ATC Training. Peter has served for the last 2 years as Deputy Director ATC Training and his skills and experience will be very valuable in continuing to grow and develop the ATC Training portfolio for VATPAC. Thank you and congratulations Peter! I would also like to thank the selection panel for donating their time in considering this appointment.

Reminder. Applications close this evening at 23:59 AEDT.

Reminder. Applications close this evening at 23:59 AEDT.

Following the recent resignation of David Zhong as VATPAC Director of Operations, applications are now sought from members of the VATPAC Division of VATSIM for the position of Director of Operations. Reports to: VATPAC Director of Division Direct Reports: Deputy Director, Operations Manager AIS Team Duties: • Attends periodic VATPAC Board meetings to report on pilot-related issues to act as a liaison between pilots and the VATPAC Board. • Presents pilot and controller views, complaints, ideas, and proposals to the appropriate Division and Board meetings in order to consistently improve the effectiveness of communications, suitability of new procedures, and overall satisfaction of pilots with ATS provided. • Assists the Events Director where required in the coordination of Events, Fly-Ins and Group flights within VATPAC airspace. • Reports quarterly on activity within the division. • Maintains an online register of all VATPAC affiliated Virtual Airlines. • Liaises with Affiliated Virtual Airlines for anything they may need from the Division (events, contact information). • Acts as the Division's Point-of-contact for VATSIM's main VA Coordinator. • Stay abreast of real world issues which may involve VATPAC airspace. • Monitors VATPAC policy change proposals as they affect pilots. • Liaises closely with the Director ATC Training and Director Pilot Training on operational matters affecting pilots and controllers. • Stays abreast of current issues and contributes to discussions and dissemination of information within the VATPAC and VATSIM community as they affect pilots. • Monitors facilities and accuracy of the ATC Clients to the TAAATS specification. • Maintain an on line and visible presence to the membership with a minimum of 10 hours per month logged on the VATSIM Network. Position Holder Attributes and Requirements: • Be a member of the VATPAC Division of VATSIM for a period longer than 2 years. • Be a member of good standing in VATSIM for more than one year at the time of application. • Have a good rapport with VATSIM pilots and maintain this rapport throughout their tenure. • Be rated on VATSIM to no less than Enroute Controller Level. • Be skilled in the production and maintenance of structured procedure documentation. • Have good knowledge of the VATSIM Code of Conduct and Code of Regulations. • Have proven ability in the management of a small group of people. • Be able to work well within a voluntary organisation. • Have proven ability with the use of Flight Simulation and VATSIM Approved Pilot and Controller Client Software including the production of local resources such as as sector files. Members interested in being considered for the role should apply by outlining their experience and suitability for the role and providing information addressing each of the Position Holder Attributes and Requirements listed above via email to [email protected] APPLICATIONS IN STRICTEST CONFIDENCE CLOSE AT 23:59 hours AEDT on Sunday 28th February 2016.

Following the recent appointment of Greg Barber as the new VATPAC Director of Division, applications are now sought from members of the VATPAC Division of VATSIM for the position of Director of ATC Training. Reports to: VATPAC Director of Division Direct Reports: Deputy Director, ATC Training ATC Instructors, Mentors and Training Staff Duties: • Responsible for the efficiency and effectiveness of the VATPAC ATC training program • Attends periodic VATPAC Board meetings to report on training activities and issues and to stay abreast of issues which may involve VATPAC Training • Maintains training pages on the VATPAC Website and VATPAC Moodle Training System • Works directly with ATC training staff on training issues and provides ATC expertise to aid them in their decisions on operational issues • Ensures that ATC training programs are planned, conducted, assessed, and improved on a continuous basis • Reports quarterly on ATC Training activity and development within the division • Introduce new procedures that will innovate ATC training and testing of Controllers • Establishes periodic VATPAC Training Department meetings, reports and newsletters where required • Maintains a staff of VATPAC ATC Instructors to recruit and certify Controller Level ratings • Monitors the performance and activity of Instructors • Maintains an on line presence of 5-10 hours per month on the VATSIM Network Position Holder Attributes and Requirements: • Be a member of the VATPAC Division of VATSIM for a period longer than 12 months • Be a member of good standing in VATSIM for more than one year at the time of application • Be rated on VATSIM to no less than Controller level (Senior Controller desirable) • Have good knowledge of the VATSIM Code of Conduct and Code of Regulations • Have proven ability in the management of a small group of people • Be able to work well within a voluntary organisation • Have proven ability with the use of VATSIM Approved Controller Client Software • Have proven ability with the use of Flight Simulation and VATSIM Approved Pilot Client Software • 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 Members interested in being considered for the role should apply by outlining their experience and suitability for the role and providing information addressing each of the Position Holder Attributes and Requirements listed above via email to [email protected] APPLICATIONS IN STRICTEST CONFIDENCE CLOSE AT 23:59 hours AEDT on Sunday 28th February 2016.

It is with great reluctance that I announce that the VATPAC Board has accepted the resignation of Mr David Zhong from the role of Director of Operations. David has been instrumental in a number of major steps forward for VATPAC in recent times including the implementation of a new AIS team responsible for airspace and sector files, our excellent controller resource in MATS and ongoing support for other documentation such as local instructions, pilot and controller procedures. David is unable to continue in the role long term due to real world pressures however has offered to remain in place until such time as a new Director Operations is appointed. This vacancy will be advertised in the coming days.

Hello Everyone, Just a quick note from the VATPAC Board to thank everyone who attended the Town Hall Meeting yesterday evening. As always it was a very fruitful discussion and enabled some very welcome feedback from the wider VATPAC community. The board and senior staff have now begun collating all the good ideas and feedback and you should start to see some of the simpler stuff acted on very soon. Once again, thank you for attending but don't forget that our doors are always open if you'd like to pop in for a one-on-one chat.

The ATC Training Team would like to wish all members a Happy Christmas and a safe New Year. Additionally I would like to thank the volunteers of the ATC Training Team for all their hard work over the past 12 months in teaching and testing our up and coming controllers. The ATC Training Team will be reducing activity over the holiday period to all the team to spend time with family, free from the pressures of pending ATC assessments. ATC Training will be closed from December 23rd 2015 and will reopen on January 4th 2016. During this time, there will be no new theory exam passwords given out, no exam results processed and no additional arrangements will be made for official mentoring or practical assessments (existing arrangements will of course be honoured). If you feel you are nearing completion of your self directed study, please consider using the next 2 weeks as an opportunity to read over those tricky subjects again and we will be happy to serve you in the new year. Thank you.

Congrats to Wilson Stewart who recently completed his TMA rating! :cool:

Congratulations to Isaac Dawson, who is now endorsed to operate a Procedural Tower.

What's the frequency for aircraft parked between the two runways? :think::evil:

Congratulations to Zach who recently completed his Tower Controller Rating. :clap:

Congratulations to our newest Tower Controller, Ben Welter. :clap:

Greetings all, I am please to announce that TMA and Enroute Ratings can now be gained through our new Moodle site at http://vatpac.org/moodle2. Unlike the Tower course these courses are a direct copy of the old moodle courses and contain no (or very little revision) new content. The exams are also identical. This is part of VATPACs transition over to the new system and retire the old Moodle site which is now quite outdated. The existing courses will remain available until 31st August 2015, however all students are encouraged to register at the new Moodle site and submit their examination there.

Congratulations to our newest Tower Controller - Matthew Cook. :clap:

Greetings all, Some 2.5 years ago VATPAC undertook an external review of our Tower Rating course and results with the aim of developing new and improved training tools and a new approach to preparing new student controllers for the challenge of operating a Tower, Ground or Delivery position. As a result of this review, a new project was launched to completely redesign and rewrite the way our student controllers prepare for their Tower Rating exam. This is an important step to: Improve access to ATC Training Increase the number of VATPAC members connecting as ATC Improve standards of new controllers through better training structures Better deliver the skills and knowledge necessary to understand the role of ATC and to deliver a better service to VATPAC and VATSIM members Build a sound foundation for controllers to grow in the role and pursue higher ratings at a later date Provide an ongoing resource for existing controllers So it is with much pleasure that I announce the release of new VATPAC Tower Rating Course and Reference Guide hosted at our all new Moodle Training site. This course will replace the current existing Moodle Tower Rating course and exam with immediate effect. New students who are just starting out on their study should register at the new Moodle site and enrol in the new Tower Course. Existing students who are well into their study have the option of completing their theory component using the old materials and the existing exam however it is highly recommended to take advantage of the new training tools and content now available. Note: The old Tower Theory Exam will cease to be available from 31st July 2015. To sign up for the new Moodle Training system and Tower Rating course please visit http://vatpac.org/moodle2 I would like to thank the following people for their contribution to this project: Andrew Carr Kirk Christie Peter Adamos Zach Biesse-Fitton (and those who helped him produce audio files) The VATPAC ATC Training team and other members who have reviewed and tested the course.

Congratulations to our newest Enroute Controller, Dylan Grenfell. :thumbs::clap:

Congratulations to Avi Herskowitz who is now a Visiting Tower Controller with VATPAC. :clap:

Congratulations to Jacob Layton, who recently completed his Procedural Tower Endorsement. :clap:

This has been pushed back to 1030UTC.

Notification that Melbourne Tower is booked for a visiting controller check from 1030UTC (2030AEST) this evening. Any controller operating ML_TWR at this time will be asked to vacate. Thank you