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Facility Training Policy

Revision Info

  • Document Number: HCF 3120.1
  • Date: 09 Jun 2025
  • Revision Version: A
  • Editor: Dirk Thorben Kottenhahn, HCF TA

Record of Revisions

Version Date Revision Editor
A 09 Jun 2025 Initial Release Dirk Thorben Kottenhahn

1. Definitions

Term Definition
Student A member of the controller roster
Controller A member of the controller roster with at least an S1 rating.
Trainer A member designated as an instructor, mentor, probationary instructor, or mentor in training.
Mentor A trainer who teaches theory, practical, and live monitoring and recommends students for Rating Examinations.
Instructor A trainer with the rating of I1 or I3 who performs Rating Exams, assigns written exams, and assists in training development.
Training Administrator (TA) Officially designated by HCF and VATUSA, holding at least an I3 rating.
Assistant Training Administrator (ATA) An instructor, designated by the TA to assist in managing the training department.
Solo Endorsement A temporary certification for controllers training for the next rating per VATUSA policy.
Lesson A structured instructional session focusing on ATC competencies through theoretical and practical training.

2. Controller Certifications

2.1 Certification Requirements

All controllers staffing HCF positions must be certified per this policy.

3. Training Procedures

3.1 Scheduling Training

  1. Training is scheduled through the Scheddy application, which can be found on https://scheddy.vhcf.net/. Booking a session serves as a reservation and the booked trainer will let the student know if the session will happen or not.
  2. A new request will be required for each session.
  3. A student is only allowed to do one (1) session a day.
  4. There is a minimum required time of twenty-four (24) hours between time of booking and start of session.

3.2 Training Expectations

As a student, you are expected to:

  • Take responsibility for your own progress and allocate time for your training.
  • Follow the scheduling training processes outlined above.
  • Come prepared for sessions to the best of your ability including self-study of ATC Orders, VATUSA Academy materials, facility procedures, and any other applicable reference resources.
  • Review areas of deficiencies listed on the training ticket posted on the HCF website or the VATUSA page and come prepared to discuss those areas in subsequent lessons.
  • Seek clarification on any material not immediately understood. This may be accomplished through direct interaction with their trainer or by means of self-study.
  • Be receptive to feedback/critique.
  • Students are prohibited from recording, streaming, or otherwise broadcasting all training events without explicit permission from the trainer.

3.3 Cancellations

  1. Students and trainers should give reasonable notice when cancelling a session. Reasonable notice is greater than twelve (12) hours in advance of the training session. However, more time is preferred.
  2. Trainers should wait at least fifteen (15) minutes after the scheduled start time for a student to show. Unless otherwise coordinated, all training sessions will be conducted on the HCF Discord Server.
  3. Any student that does not show within fifteen minutes of the scheduled start time may be considered a "no-show".
  4. Repeated no-shows may result in suspension from scheduling future training sessions for a period of up to 30 days, or other disciplinary action.

3.4 Rating Examination Scheduling

Rating Examinations are used to determine if students meet the criteria for promotion to the next VATSIM rating. When a student is ready for their Rating Examinations the student is assigned an instructor, this cannot be their primary instructor. The OTS instructor will reach out to the student to schedule the exam.

3.5 Rating Examinations

  1. Rating Examinations test students on either a simulated or live basis on practical applications for the purpose of rating promotions.
  2. HCF conducts Rating Examinations for the following VATSIM rating changes at the conclusion of the listed training courses:
  3. S2 – Advanced Local (TWR)
  4. S3 – Terminal Radar Control (APP)
  5. C1 - Enroute Radar Control (CTR)
  6. Students are prohibited from recording, streaming, or otherwise broadcasting an Rating Examinations.

3.6 Rating Consolidation

  1. All home controllers must complete a consolidation period by controlling qualifying positions (see table below for qualifying positions) prior to requesting access to the Academy Course and/or requesting training for the next rating.
Certification Course / Rating Sought Advanced Local Terminal Radar Control Enroute Radar Control
Qualifying Positions DEL
S-GND
GND
S-TWR		 TWR APP
  1. Advanced Local consolidation period: 30 Hours on qualifying positions.
  2. Terminal Radar Control consolidation period: 50 Hours on qualifying positions.
  3. Enroute Radar Control consolidation period: 50 Hours on qualifying positions.
  4. For clarity, the certification courses used within section 3.6 correspond directly to the naming conventions used by VATSIM as follows:
  5. Advanced Local = Aerodrome Controller (S2)
  6. Terminal Radar Control = Terminal Controller (S3)
  7. Enroute Radar Control = Enroute Controller (C1)

4. Courses

4.1 Course Development Theory

4.1.1 Scope

Courses in this curriculum are designed to be narrow in scope. This allows students to choose what to pursue next so they can focus on what interests them. It also allows for quick certification without degrading competencies. This all culminates in enhanced motivation for the student, empowered to focus on the fun.

4.1.2 Competency Compliance

These courses adhere to all VATSIM/VATUSA policies and competencies. Each course should be built to comply with the competencies of the rating that will be issued at completion or the one most closely matching the areas of instruction.

4.1.3 Lesson Development

Lessons should focus on a few unique skills or techniques, completed in no more than 45 to 75 minutes in most cases.

4.1.4 Course Listing

The following is a complete listing of courses maintained by the Training Administrator to be administered to home controllers within HCF:

  • Clearance Delivery and Flight Data (DEL)
  • Simple Ground Control (S-GND)
  • Advanced Ground Control (GND)
  • Simple Local Control (S-TWR)
  • Advanced Local Control (TWR)
  • Terminal Radar Control (APP)
  • Enroute Radar Control (CTR)
  • Basic Instructional Practices (MTR)
  • Advanced Instructional Practices (INS)

4.2 Student Placement

Once a course has been implemented:

  • New enrollments will start the course from the beginning.
  • Students actively training in areas covered by that course will be placed on the appropriate lesson with their assigned trainer.
  • Enrolments who have previously completed training related to the course but have been inactive for less than three months will be placed on the appropriate lesson with their assigned trainer.
  • Enrolments who have prior completed training related to the course but are now inactive for three months or more will begin the new course from the beginning.

4.3 Home Controller Activity Requirements

  1. Any home controller who does not hold any certifications to control within HCF must complete at least three (3) hours of training per quarter.
  2. Home Controllers that are listed on a training "waitlist" are exempt from this section.

5. Trainers

5.1 Mentors

  1. The requirements to be appointed as a mentor are:
  2. Hold the rating of Student 2 (S2) or higher
  3. Be an active member of HCF in good standing
  4. Be a team player and able to provide input to advance the training department
  5. Have a thorough understanding of HCF Policies and Procedures and the airspace
  6. Have held your current rating for 90 days
  7. Have a consistent online presence
  8. Complete the HCF Basic Instructional Practices (MTR) training course and be recommended by an instructor to be appointed by the HCF Training Administrator (TA)
  9. Mentors will:
  10. Report to the Training Administrator
  11. Teach new students the policies and procedures of the ratings of which they are authorized to instruct and assist the student in preparing for their Rating Examination
  12. Monitor Students as outlined below in the 'Monitoring' section of this policy
  13. Must follow all training outlines and documents in accordance with HCF Procedures

5.2 Instructors

  1. The requirements to be recommended as an instructor are:
  2. Hold a rating of Controller (C1) or higher
  3. Be an active member of HCF in good standing
  4. Have a consistent online presence
  5. Have advanced knowledge and understanding of HCF Policies and Procedures and the airspace
  6. Be a team player and able to provide input to advance the training department
  7. Complete the HCF Advanced Instructional Practices (INS) training course and be signed off by the HCF Air Traffic Manager (ATM) and the HCF Training Administrator (TA)
  8. Instructors will:
  9. Report to the Training Administrator
  10. Train new and advanced students in all rating levels
  11. Train new Mentors for their duties
  12. Must follow all training outlines and documents in accordance with HCF Procedure
  13. Monitor students' training on HCF facilities
  14. Perform Rating Examinations
  15. At the request of the Training Administrator, assist in the development and upkeep of training content and material

5.3 Visiting Instructors

  1. With approval from both the HCF and their home Training Administrators, visiting controllers holding an instructor rating at their home facility may receive permission to exercise those privileges in the HCF training department.
  2. Applications should be submitted to the HCF Training Administrator via Email or Discord after receiving approval from your home facility.

5.4 Trainer Activity Requirements

  1. All trainers are subject to the currency requirements in the HCF GOP Policy. Trainers must remain current:
  2. Must complete a minimum of 2 training sessions or 4 hours of training department functions per calendar month or receive other approval from the Training Administrator.
  3. Visiting trainers that have been given permission to exercise those privileges at HCF must remain current:
  4. Must complete a minimum of 1 training session per calendar month or receive other approval from the Training Administrator.
  5. To be released from this requirement, contact the Training Administrator through in writing with a request to be placed on a Trainer Leave of Absence (T-LOA).

5.5 Trainer Leave of Absence

Trainer Leave of Absences will be granted by the Training Administrator on a case-by-case basis depending on the information provided by the trainer. T-LOAs must not exceed 120 days.

5.6 Removal

  1. Trainers may be subject to removal from the Training Staff for the following reasons:
  2. Suspension from the VATSIM network.
  3. Failure to comply with any VATSIM or HCF Policy.
  4. Failure to meet the activity requirements for two (2) consecutive months unless written approval from the Training Administrator exists.

6. Visiting and Transferring Controllers

6.1 Certifications

  1. After acceptance to the roster controllers are granted certifications commensurate with their rating. Controllers who held endorsements within HCF in the past six months will retain those endorsements.
  2. Transferring controllers who have been inactive for a period of greater than six months will be required to complete a live session with an Instructor consummate with their rating.

6.2 HCF Tier 2 Endorsement

  1. The Tier 2 Endorsement may be obtained by completing a live session with an Instructor after the student had some self-study on the relevant facility SOPs.