Level Specific Training Criteria

New York ARTCC

Level Specific Training Criteria

Rev. 5 — Revised: 2025-09-30

Facility Specific Training Criteria

Training standards for specific facilities can be found on the following pages:

Facility Training Criteria - JFK

Facility Training Criteria - LGA

Facility Training Criteria - EWR

Facility Training Criteria - PHL

Facility Training Criteria - ZNY

Level-Specific Training Criteria

Student Controller (S1) - Clearance Delivery and Ground

Below are the required competencies that must be met for a controller seeking the Student 1 (S1) rating.

General Documents Overview

• New Controller Orientation Guide
• Regulations and Policies
• Training Procedure

General Control Procedures

• Pre-Control Setup and Configuration
  • Configuration of sector file and appropriate overlays.
  • Setup and selection of proper communications frequencies.
  • Selection and activation of controller information, including ATIS setup.
• Position Relief Briefing
  • If relieving a previous controller, properly conducts the position relief briefing to receive all critical information for the current traffic situation.
  • If no previous controller is online, student should explain the procedure they would use during a position relief transition.
• Coordination / Handoff Procedures
  • Follows the ZNY signing on and signing off procedures.
  • Coordinates with appropriate controllers as needed and hands off aircraft to adjacent positions when appropriate.

Flight Plan Procedures

• Flight Plan Amendments
  • Consistently evaluates flight paths for accuracy and applicability.
  • Properly corrects flight plan errors using appropriate key commands or user interface.
  • Understands initial altitude assignments and can explain the difference between "maintain," "climb via SID," and when to use either
  • Utilizes and understands the CRAFT acronym for all clearances
  • Exhibits appropriate coordination procedures as needed.
• Preferred and Non-Standard Routing Procedures
  • Understands appropriate use of the Preferred Use Database (PRD)
  • Attempts whenever possible to ensure the aircraft is on the correct preferred routing to its destination.
  • Provides preferred routing information for aircraft that do not have one filed.
  • Utilizes the common amendments table as necessary
• Standard Instrument Departure (SID) Assignment
  • Accurately assigns proper SIDs or departure procedure as defined in local SOP
  • Assists the pilot in identifying and providing the appropriate departure procedure for their aircraft capability.
  • Understands interaction between departure procedure and overlying airspace

Clearance Delivery Procedures

• VFR and IFR Clearance Procedures
  • Demonstrates knowledge of difference between VFR and IFR clearances.
  • Demonstrates knowledge of proper VFR clearances.
• Clearance Issuance
  • Issues clearance to aircraft in correct phraseology.
  • Ensures correct readback by aircraft before proceeding.
• Departure Information
  • In compliance with facility procedures, the controller will issue appropriate departure information (weather/runways in use/etc).

Ground Control Procedures

• Movement and Non-Movement Areas
  • Demonstrates knowledge of the difference between the two areas.
  • Correctly identifies each area at the airport controlling.
• Taxi and Ground Movement Operations
  • Correctly sequences aircraft to runway.
  • Demonstrates appropriate use of valid progressive taxi instructions.
  • Demonstrates use of correct phraseology.
  • Identifies and appropriately deals with potential taxiway conflicts or runway incursions.
• Helicopter Taxi Operations
  • Understands difference between Air Taxi and Hover Taxi.
  • Keeps aircraft clear of helicopter taxi path.

Human Factors

• Professionalism

At all times while connected to the VATSIM network, the student will demonstrate a professional attitude towards the examining instructor and all members of the control team and staff.

• Appropriate Behavior

The student understands the expected behavior while controlling and while observing and demonstrates this behavior at all times.

• Courteous Attitude

The student shall at all times, regardless of situation or incident, maintain a courteous attitude towards all pilots and controllers.

• Providing New Pilot Help

The student shall, based on current traffic volume, provide assistance to new pilots who are confused with operation on the network or operation of their aircraft to perform the required maneuver as instructed by ATC

Student Controller (S2) - Local

In addition to the competencies required for S1, the following are the required competencies that must be met for a controller seeking the Student 2 (S2) rating.

Local Control Procedures

• Runway Selection
  • Selects appropriate runway based on current winds and local procedures
  • In compliance with local procedures, the student shall attempt whenever possible to select as many runways possible to meet the current traffic volume
• ATIS Issuance
  • The student will demonstrate the ability to correctly setup and maintain a valid ATIS as is defined in the appropriate facility SOP
  • The student will advise all aircraft on the ground or within Tower airspace of current ATIS and ATIS updates
  • The student will ensure all departing aircraft have the current ATIS information
• Departure Procedures
  • The student will demonstrate the ability to provide an aircraft with an appropriate departure release (if applicable)
  • The student shall, in compliance with local procedure, provide aircraft with the appropriate departure heading (or other instruction) for their route of flight
  • The student will demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate regulations and procedures regarding helicopter departures
• Arrival Procedures
  • The student will demonstrate knowledge of the different types of landing modes used by aircraft and the appropriate phraseology to use for landing clearances (landing, low approach, touch-and-go, etc.)
  • The student will demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate regulations and procedures regarding helicopter arrivals
• Spacing and Sequencing
  • In compliance with local procedures and adhering to regulated priority, the student shall whenever possible, ensure that spacing between arrivals and departures is appropriate to safely depart all awaiting aircraft and land all arriving aircraft as orderly and expeditiously as possible
  • The student shall provide the necessary separation between IFR departures as prescribed by the 7110.65 and as described in the basic control procedures
• Line Up and Wait (LUAW) and Land and Hold Short (LAHSO)
  • The student shall at all times observe the regulations regarding each of these procedures as specified in FAA Order 7110.65
  • Where applicable, the student shall demonstrate appropriate use of Line Up and Wait (LUAW) and Land and Hold Short (LAHSO)
• Airspace entry requirements
  • Understand and explain the various airspace entry requirements applicable at this level
  • Recognize how and when procedures must be accomplished for the various airspaces
• VFR Traffic Pattern
  • Understands and demonstrates knowledge of segments of the VFR Traffic Pattern
  • Correctly issues appropriate instructions to VFR Aircraft utilizing the pattern
  • Maintains proper sequencing and separation between all VFR Traffic in the pattern and all other arriving/departing traffic
• Wake Turbulence Separation
  • The student shall at all times remain in compliance with the Consolidated Wake Turbulence procedures and separation minima
  • The student will demonstrate phraseology when providing Wake Turbulence advisories to all affected aircraft
• Converging or Parallel Runway Operations
  • When applicable, the student will provide advisories for aircraft arriving on parallel or converging runways
• Same Runway Separation (SRS)
  • Understand SRS minima and explain the benefits of using SRS
  • Be able to accurately utilize SRS to an operational advantage
• Missed Approach Procedures
  • Understands missed approach procedures and go around operations
  • In compliance with local procedures issues the appropriate missed approach instructions for the facility they are controlling
  • When necessary the student will coordinate with the overlying radar controller for appropriate missed approach procedures

Emergency Procedures

• Declaration of Emergencies
  • Understands all types of emergencies acceptable on VATSIM
  • Understands and demonstrates knowledge of when an emergency has been declared
  • Correctly identifies type of emergency when advised by aircraft
• Providing Emergency Assistance
  • Demonstrates appropriate procedures in providing assistance to emergency aircraft
  • Takes appropriate and concise action to handle the emergency while maintaining control of all other aircraft

Human Factors

• Professionalism

At all times while connected to the VATSIM network, the student will demonstrate a professional attitude towards the examining instructor and all members of the control team and staff.

• Appropriate Behavior

The student understands the expected behavior while controlling and while observing and demonstrates this behavior at all times.

• Courteous Attitude

The student shall at all times, regardless of situation or incident, maintain a courteous attitude towards all pilots and controllers.

• Providing New Pilot Help

The student shall, based on current traffic volume, provide assistance to new pilots who are confused with operation on the network or operation of their aircraft to perform the required maneuver as instructed by ATC

Student Controller (S3) - Local

In addition to the competencies required for S2, the following are the required competencies that must be met for a controller seeking the Student 3 (S3) rating.

General Control Procedures

• Provide Additional Services
  • Understands and Demonstrates knowledge of different types of additional service
  • The student shall whenever possible provide Additional Services/Responsibilities to aircraft requesting them
• Uncontrolled Airport Operations
  • Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of Uncontrolled Airport Operations
  • The student shall, in compliance with all local procedures and regulatory documents, successfully issue instructions to aircraft arriving and departing from Uncontrolled Airports

General Radar Procedures

• Ensure Separation Requirements
  • In compliance with local policies and inter/intra-facility agreements, the student shall at all times ensure that positive separation is maintained between aircraft with at least the minimum separation requirements established by FAA Order 7110.65
  • Understands the principles of wake turbulence
  • Understands and applies merging target procedures
  • Issues safety alerts and traffic calls when necessary
• Speed Adjustment Procedures
  • Understands the regulations regarding speed instruction issuance and cancellation
  • Determining appropriate speed for desired track
  • Demonstrates ability to adjust speed to maintain desired separation
• Issuing Holding Instructions
  • Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of radar holding procedures including applicable phraseology and regulations
• VFR On Top
  • Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of VFR On Top Procedures
  • The student shall, in compliance with all local procedures, identify the availability and properly issue using correct phraseology a VFR On Top clearance to the requesting aircraft

Radar Control Procedures

• Radar Tracking an Aircraft
  • Understands principle of radar tracking an aircraft target
  • Correctly establishes track using appropriate key commands
• Radar Identifying an Aircraft
  • Understands difference between Radar Track and Radar Identifying
  • Successfully radar identifies an aircraft with correct phraseology
  • Successfully terminates radar services
• Aircraft Vectoring Procedures
  • Understands the regulations regarding vectoring aircraft
  • The student shall, in compliance with all local procedures, vector the aircraft appropriately according to the filed standard departure
  • Understands basics of non-standard departure vectoring
  • In compliance with all local procedures, the student shall vector an aircraft to safely exit the departure area and to begin the en-route course with the most direct route
  • The student shall, in compliance with all local procedures, vector the aircraft based on the filed standard terminal arrival route and to have the aircraft arrive the approach area safely and efficiently
  • Aircraft arriving other than on a standard terminal arrival route shall be vectored to join arriving traffic safely and expeditiously as to not congest the arrival corridor
  • Demonstrates ability to successfully vector an aircraft onto a pre-filed route or around traffic or weather
• Pointout Procedures
  • Understands the principles of a pointout
  • The student shall successfully complete a pointout with another controller which includes positive identification of the aircraft by the affected sector

Arrival/Departure Procedures

• Departure Procedures
  • Student has a fundamental understanding of how to read and apply the charted procedure to separation of aircraft
• Arrival Procedures
  • Student has a fundamental understanding of how to read and apply the charted procedure to separation of aircraft
  • Correct phraseology for initial contact
• Satellite Airport Operations
  • The student shall, in compliance with local procedures and based on current traffic volume, provide service for all satellite airports located in his/her airspace.
  • Understand and accurately utilize the "one-in one-out" rule
  • Understands and accurately utilizes proper methods of radar identification as required
  • Services for satellite airports include but are not limited to; IFR/VFR clearance, Takeoff/Landing Clearance, Departure and Approach Vectoring

Instrument Approach Procedures

• Precision Approach Procedures
  • Understands and Demonstrates knowledge of types of approaches that fall under precision category
  • When vectoring to final approach course, vectors aircraft to join the final approach course at an appropriate altitude, distance from the Final Approach Fix, and intercept angle in compliance with local procedures and the 7110.65
• Non-Precision Approach Procedures
  • Understands and Demonstrates knowledge of the types of approaches that fall under non-precision category
  • When vectoring to final approach course, vectors aircraft to join the final approach course at an appropriate altitude, distance from Final Approach Fix, and intercept angle, in compliance with local procedures and the 7110.65
• Visual Approaches
  • Understands and correctly utilizes charted, uncharted, and follow visual approaches
  • Correctly identifies times when any of these can not be used in compliance with local procedures and the 7110.65
• Clearance from Initial Approach Fix
  • Demonstrates knowledge of methods to clear aircraft for an approach from an initial approach fix, and provides required instructions with correct phraseology before clearing for an approach
  • Understands methods of reaching initial approach fixes with and without vectors
  • Understands procedure turns and other methods of course reversal when used in conjunction with a clearance from Initial Approach Fix
• Missed Approach Procedures
  • The student shall demonstrate knowledge of the components of a missed approach, and provides missed approach instructions with correct phraseology
  • The student shall ascertain the desires of the aircraft and then provide appropriate services to that aircraft
• Practice Approaches
  • Provides accurate services to controlled and uncontrolled fields for IFR and VFR practice approaches
• Clearance to Alternate
  • Determines most direct and available route from aircraft’s present position to filed alternate airport
  • Provides aircraft correct clearance instruction using proper phraseology
  • Does not execute the alternate deviation until successful readback of the amended clearance is received

Additional Services/Responsibilities

• VFR Flight Following
  • Traffic permitting, provides VFR aircraft flight following services and issues appropriate information
  • Coordinates appropriately and understands the interaction between under/overlying facilities in regards to transitions
• Special VFR
  • Local facility SOP and traffic permitting, provides SVFR aircraft appropriate services and information
• Provide Clearance to In-flight Aircraft (Pop-Up IFR)
  • Understands and Demonstrates knowledge of in-flight clearances

Emergency Procedures

• Declaration of Emergencies
  • Understands and demonstrates knowledge of when an emergency has been declared
  • Takes appropriate and concise action to handle the emergency while maintaining control of all other aircraft
• Providing Emergency Assistance
  • In compliance with local procedures and based on current traffic volume, the student will make every effort to assist the pilot as necessary to ensure a safe outcome
• Understanding Emergency Effects on Traffic
  • Demonstrates understanding of potential effects of the emergency on other traffic in the airspace
  • Correctly vectors as necessary, all other traffic to provide expeditious handling of the aircraft in distress

Human Factors

• Professionalism
  • At all times while connected to the VATSIM network, the student will demonstrate a professional attitude towards the examining instructor and all members of the control team and staff
• Appropriate Behavior
  • The student understands the expected behavior while controlling and while observing and demonstrates this behavior at all times
• Courteous Attitude
  • The student shall at all times, regardless of situation or incident, maintain a courteous attitude towards all pilots and controllers
• Understanding Pilots
  • The student should demonstrate understanding for pilots with less advanced knowledge and skill and should treat them accordingly by not giving them confusing instructions or speaking too quickly

• Providing New Pilot Help
  • The student shall, based on current traffic volume, provide assistance to new pilots who are confused with operation on the network.

Controller (C1) - Enroute

In addition to the competencies required for S3, the following are the required competencies that must be met for a controller seeking the Controller (C1) rating.

General Control Procedures

• Coordination / Handoff Procedures
  • Follows the ZNY signing on and signing off procedures.
  • Coordinates with appropriate controllers as needed and hands off aircraft to adjacent positions when appropriate.
  • The student shall, in compliance with all local procedures and inter/intra-facility agreements, coordinate with adjacent sector controllers for aircraft control if necessary
  • The student shall, in compliance with all local procedures and inter/intra-facility agreements, coordinate with adjacent sector controllers for release of aircraft control if necessary
• Separation Standards
  • The student will at all times maintain appropriate separation between aircraft as outlined in the 7110.65 or local SOP/LOA
  • The student will at all times separate aircraft from airspace not under their control as outlined in the 7110.65 or local SOP/LOA
• Application of Separation Rules
  • Crossing, Converging, and Opposite Direction Traffic
    • Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of traffic situation
    • Identifies crossing, converging or opposite direction traffic situation
  • Overtaking Aircraft
    • Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of overtaking aircraft operations
    • The student shall advise both aircraft of the situation and monitor until possible conflict is clear
• Special Flight Operations
  • Understands knowledge of types of special flight operations
• Weather Procedures
  • Demonstrates knowledge of weather effects on aircraft routing
  • The student shall, in compliance with all local procedures, successfully accommodate aircraft deviations around weather to the requesting aircraft

En-Route Radar Operations

• Request for Altitude Change
  • Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of altitude change requests
  • The student shall, in compliance with local procedures, determine the availability and honor or decline the request for altitude change if requested by the pilot
  • If the altitude change is required, student will inform the aircraft and ask for acceptance or alternative altitude that is acceptable
• Successive Arrivals and Departures
  • Recognizes aircraft that are arriving or departing on the same route and/or at the same altitude
  • The student shall, in compliance with all local procedures and inter/intra-facility agreements, separate the aircraft to approved separation minimums
  • Complies with traffic management initiatives when applicable
• Approach Control Saturation
  • Demonstrates understanding of Approach saturation
  • The student shall, in compliance with all local procedures and after coordinating with Approach Control, determine the necessary action in order to relieve Approach Control airspace without creating further congestion in the students own airspace
• Loss of Radar Contact
  • Recognizes Radar Contact loss
  • Takes appropriate action to determine aircraft existence on network or total aircraft loss
  • Prepares for mid-flight aircraft reconnect and takes appropriate preemptive action to prevent a mid-air conflict
• Route Change in Flight
  • If requested by the pilot, the student will determine the availability of the requested route. If route is not available, the student will provide an alternative route
  • If route change is required, the student will, in compliance with all local procedures, coordinate with the pilot for acceptance of the amended route
  • The student will provide a correct amendment issuance to the pilot and not execute the amended route in control until the aircraft has successfully read back the amended route
• Pilot Deviations
  • Demonstrates reasons for pilot requested deviations
  • Coordinates with pilots requesting deviations and provides as available and/or necessary

Emergency Procedures

• Loss of Communication
  • Identifies positive communication loss with aircraft
  • Takes appropriate measures to re-establish communication with aircraft using both voice and text protocols
  • Plans vectors for traffic around the affected aircraft as to not create any possible conflicts with aircraft that is out of contact
  • Takes appropriate action per VATSIM policy
• In-flight Emergencies
  • Understands different types of emergencies
  • Demonstrates knowledge of accepted emergencies in VATSIM
  • Takes appropriate action to coordinate with pilot and traffic in the vicinity of the aircraft in distress to provide a safe outcome to the situation
• Equipment Malfunctions
  • Understands different type of equipment malfunctions
  • Demonstrates knowledge of equipment malfunction procedures and appropriate action
  • Coordinates with pilots to continue to provide assistance
• Unexpected Aircraft Performance
  • Coordinates with pilot to determine performance issue and re-plans aircraft profile as necessary to maintain proper separation with traffic

Human Factors

• Professionalism
  • At all times while connected to the VATSIM network, the student will demonstrate a professional attitude towards the examining instructor and all members of the control team and staff
• Appropriate Behavior
  • The student understands the expected behavior while controlling and while observing and demonstrates this behavior at all times
• Courteous Attitude
  • The student shall at all times, regardless of situation or incident, maintain a courteous attitude towards all pilots and controllers
• Understanding Pilots
  • The student should not become aggravated by a pilot who does not follow the instruction given correctly. Instead the student should work with the pilot to provide a successful outcome to the situation
• Providing New Pilot Help
  • The student shall, based on current traffic volume, provide assistance to new pilots who are confused with operation on the network or operation of their aircraft to perform the required maneuver as instructed by ATC