Regulations and Policies

1. ARTCC ORGANIZATION

1.1 VATSIM

a. The VATSIM (Virtual Air Traffic Simulation) network is an online community created for enthusiasts of flight simulation and air traffic control. The VATSIM Board of Governors (BoG) has the governing power of the network and the organization. The VATSIM Founders have ownership rights over the VATSIM network.

b. ZNY and VATUSA policies shall comply with all VATSIM policies. In case of any discrepancies, the higher-power VATSIM policy shall apply.

1.2 VATUSA

a. VATUSA (VATSIM United States) is the United States division as part of the VATSIM Americas Region.

b. VATUSA Policies govern the day-to-day operations of the United States airspace and subdivisions.

c. ZNY policies shall be compliant with VATUSA policies. In case of any discrepancies, the VATUSA policy shall apply.

1.3 Virtual New York ARTCC

1.3.1 Designated Airspace

a. Per the VATSIM Global Air Traffic Control Administration policy (GCAP), ZNY has the following airspace designated as Tier One:

1. John F. Kennedy Intl. Airport (KJFK) ATCT

2. Newark Liberty Intl. Airport (KEWR) ATCT

3. LaGuardia Intl. Airport (KLGA) ATCT

4. New York TRACON (N90)

b. Additionally, ZNY has the following airspace designated as Tier Two:

1. Philadelphia Intl. Airport (KPHL) ATCT

2. Philadelphia TRACON (PHL)

3. New York Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZNY)

4. New York Oceanic (ZWY)

1.3.2 Airspace Diagram

File:ZNY Airspace Diagram.png

2. GENERAL POLICIES

2.1 Internal Communication

a. All New York ARTCC members must maintain a working e-mail address for communication and keep their New York ARTCC profile updated to comply with the following:

1. The e-mail address provided to the New York ARTCC must be the same as the one used for VATSIM and VATUSA profiles.

2. We strongly discourage using legacy e-mail addresses such as AOL and Hotmail as these tend to be rejected by our server and flag e-mails from ZNY.

2.2 Member Conduct

2.2.1 General

a. Members and visitors must comply with VATSIM's Code of Conduct at all times while holding a membership with the New York ARTCC. In addition to the Code of Conduct, members must comply with the additional policies below.

b. The use of the New York ARTCC TeamSpeak Server (located at ts.nyartcc.org), the New York ARTCC Discord Server, and the New York ARTCC Forum is a privilege, not a right. Violation of either the New York ARTCC policies is grounds for disciplinary action.

2.2.2 TeamSpeak & Discord Server

a. Use

1. Any member or visitor controlling the New York ARTCC airspace on the VATSIM Network is strongly encouraged to use TeamSpeak to better coordinate with other controllers. (Recommended)

2. Hanging out and playing other games while in the New York ARTCC TeamSpeak is permitted, so long as it does not distract those controlling the VATSIM Network. If it does, you need to switch rooms or sign off immediately. (Mandatory)

3. Duplicate TeamSpeak privilege keys are not authorized. If you want to use TeamSpeak on multiple computers, we strongly recommend you create a MyVatsim account and synchronize your TeamSpeak privilege key to the cloud. The above action will save you a lot of time. If you require assistance, please contact the New York ARTCC Staff.

b. Manners

1. All users shall always be courteous. No rude behavior, rude comments, or vulgar language will be tolerated if any member in the channel is offended by it. (Mandatory)

2. Harassment or abuse of any kind will not be tolerated. (Mandatory)

3. First offenses will be treated as a warning. Subsequent offenses will result in being kicked from the server and possible revocation of TeamSpeak privileges.

c. Nicknames

1. All members and visitors must use their first and last names as well as their operating initials on TeamSpeak and Discord. (Mandatory)

Example: Andrew Heath (AH)

2. Changing nicknames, claiming certification you have not earned, or using aliases is not allowed. (Mandatory)

3. All members are limited to a maximum of 4 visible TeamSpeak tags unless otherwise allowed by the ATM or DATM.

d. Discussion Topics

1. Politics, religion, and other potentially confrontational topics are permitted. Still, if any member or visitor asks you to change topics, you must comply or move your discussion to a different channel. (Mandatory)

2.3 Live Streaming

a. Live streaming your online-controlling session is permitted and encouraged under the following conditions:

1. Everyone in the same TeamSpeak channel as the person who is live streaming must have given explicit approval to be recorded or streamed.

2. The streamer must assign themselves the "Live-Streaming" TeamSpeak tag to indicate to anyone else joining the channel that they are streaming.

3. No private or sensitive information shall be seen or heard.

4. The controller shall be subject to the ZNY Code of Conduct.

5. If the controller is advertising their stream in their controller info, everything said or shown during the live stream is also subject to VATSIM CoC, including any conversation had with the stream chat, on TeamSpeak, etc.

b. Should any ZNY Senior Staff member determine that the stream is violating the ZNY Live Streaming Conditions, the staff member may require the termination of the live-stream and/or deletion of any archival footage. The member is required to comply with the staff members' request.

2.4 Conflict Resolution

2.4.1 Entering Conflict Resolution

a. Any controller is subject to the conflict resolution process for the following:

1. Violation of VATSIM, VATSIM Americas, or VATUSA Policy.

2. Violation of any ZNY policy, regulation, or standard operating procedure.

3. Violation of the VATSIM or ZNY Code of Conduct.

4. Insubordination of any local, divisional, or network staff member.

2.4.2 Notification and Chain of Command

a. Conflict resolution shall begin with review by the AM after receipt of the complaint at [email protected] or direct observation of offense.

b. After review, the ATM, DATM and AM shall determine what resolution shall be taken.

2.4.3 Resolutions

a. Resolutions New York ARTCC may take include, but are not limited to:

1. Loss of ZNY ARTCC TeamSpeak privileges.

2. Loss of ZNY ARTCC Discord privileges.

3. Referral to another Air Traffic Manager, the VATUSA Deputy Division Director, Air Traffic Services, or the VATSIM Vice President of Conflict Resolution for further conflict resolution.

3. MEMBERSHIP

3.1 Home Controller

3.1.1 Description

a. A home controller is defined as a controller assigned to the VATUSA division; whose primary facility is ZNY.

b. Home controllers are required to log more than half of their VATSIM network time on ZNY positions.

3.1.2 Activity Requirements

a. Controllers must complete two (2) hours of approved activity every calendar quarter.

b.1. Quarter is defined as three (3) month period; JAN-MAR, APR-JUN, JUL-SEP, OCT-DEC.

c.b. The following are approved activities:

1. Log a session on VATSIM on a ZNY position.

2. Conduct a training session.

3. Attend a training session.

3.2 Visiting Controller

3.2.1 Description

a. A visiting controller is defined as a controller whose primary facility is not ZNY.

3.2.2 Activity Requirement

a. Visiting controllers are required to meet the same activity standards as a home controller. See section 3.1.2 above.

3.3 Controller Applications

3.3.1 General Policies

a. All applications are subject to the VATSIM Visiting and Transfer Policy.

3.3.2 Transferring Controllers

a. Controllers wishing to transfer to ZNY from another VATUSA facility should do so through the VATUSA website.

b. Controllers wishing to transfer to ZNY from outside VATUSA must first transfer to VATUSA using a region transfer from the VATSIM website.

c. The ZNY Senior Staff reserves the right to deny or refuse any transfer controller request for transfers that do not adhere to the VATSIM and VATUSA Visiting and Transfer Policy.

3.3.3 Visiting Controllers

a. Visiting controllers wishing to visit ZNY should fill out the appropriate visiting controller application on the ZNY website.

b. Visiting controllers from outside VATUSA will need to provide a letter of recommendation from their home divisions staff containing at least the following:

1. The visitors' current VATSIM rating.

2. The date of the visitors' latest rating change.

3. The date the last FIR, Division, or Region transfer.

c. The ZNY Senior Staff reserves the right to deny or refuse any transfer controller request for transfers that do not adhere to the VATSIM and VATUSA Visiting and Transfer Policy.

d. Applicants who meet the requirements outlined in the previous policies are subject to a Global Controller Administration Policy (GCAP) written exam to demonstrate GCAP competency.

1. Applicants are required to pass all competency exams before being accepted as a visitor in ZNY.

2. Applicants who fail any portion of the competency assessments shall be notified via e-mail and rejected as a visiting controller. Applicants may reapply as a visitor 60 days after the last attempt.

e.3. Repeated failure of the GCAP entrance exam may result in the applicant visiting controller being denied without warning.

3.3.4 Visiting New York Oceanic – KZWY

a. C1 or higher rated controllers may apply for visiting controller status with New York Oceanic.

1. C1 or higher ZWY visitors do not need to complete ZNY training before becoming certified for ZWY.

3.4 Leaves of Absence

a. An eligible controller may change its status to LOA from the ZNY website. Any Leave of Absence requests must be submitted using the ZNY website - the ZNY staff do not have the ability to add a user to the LOA list manually.

b. An eligible controller is defined as anyone who has attained a minimum of ZNY level 1.

c. The LOA is automatically assigned for the maximum of 90 day period, at which time it expires and subjects the controller to removal.

d. A controller may request an LOA extension by making an application via e-mail to [email protected].

1. No more than one (1) extension shall be issued without the approval of the Air Traffic Manager.

e. LOA controller may change his/her status from LOA to active member/visitor by accessing the Controller Panel.

f. LOA status is subject to removal if a controller is found to be actively controlling during their LOA.

3.5 Termination as Controller

a. Controllers who do not meet the outlined controller requirements are subject to termination as a controller.

b. A warning will be sent to the controller, notifying them of their failure to meet the quarterly activity requirements. Once a warning has been issued, the controller has 14 days to:

1. control a minimum of two (2) hours on the network.

2. the user must click the “keep me on the roster” button on the website to remain on the roster, even if the controller has met the two-hour requirement.

3. if the controller, for whatever reason, is unable to meet the two-hour requirement, they must click the “keep me on the roster” button on the ZNY website and specify why they are unable to, and request an LOA.

3.6 Reinstatement

a. Controllers who rejoin ZNY as either a home or visiting controller can get their previous major certifications reinstated if their termination date was within the last six (6) months.

b. Controllers whose removal date exceeds six (6) months will have their Tier One endorsements removed, and will be required to go through remedial training for their major endorsements.

4. ONLINE BEHAVIOR

4.1 Position Staffing Policy

a. A cab controller (defined as a Clearance Delivery, Ground or Tower) cannot simultaneously control any other position, regardless of said controller’s certifications.

1. Example: EWR TWR cannot provide tower services at LGA TWR.

b. No controller currently staffing a position may simultaneously control any other position above their current active position, regardless of said controller’s certifications.

1. Example: EWR TWR cannot provide departure services (NY NWK DEP) at KEWR and NY NWK DEP cannot provide approach services at KEWR, even if the controller is certified for both positions.

c. All primary positions at a facility (DEL through APP) must be staffed prior to any secondary positions or sub-sector positions may be staffed. This rule may be waived during events, training sessions, or other high traffic volume at the sole discretion of the TMU or senior staff member (ATM, DATM, TA or EC).

1. Example: JFK CAM APP only is currently staffed. Until JFK DEL, GND, TWR and JFK END DEP are staffed, JFK RBR APP may not be staffed.

2. EWR GND, TWR, EWR NWK DEP and EWR ARD APP are staffed. Until EWR DEL is staffed, NY NOA APP may not be staffed.

d. A TRACON controller may combine two or more N90 TRACON positions if the following conditions are met:

1. The controller must be certified every one of the combined sectors. At a minimum, the controller must be DEP certified for the N90 area the controller wishes to combine.

2. The controller must reflect which facilities he or she is covering by appropriately editing their controller information. If the combination of sectors is changed, the controller must update their controller information accordingly as soon as possible.

e. The primary TRACON controller of a facility is solely responsible to provide top-down coverage for all positions at that facility. No other adjacent TRACON certified controller must provide services or be equal to an actively staffed primary TRACON position.