S2 and S3 Solo Certifications Addition
This change, effective immediately, is targeted to clarify ARTCC policy.
The purpose of this Mandatory Briefing Item is to clarify confusion on the specific policy surrounding the new Training SOP changes live as of 8/7/2021.
Training Flow Update - S2 and S3 Solo Endorsements
In order to improve student progression and training flow, effective immediately, the following S2 and S3 solo endorsements are being implemented:
- A mentor or instructor may issue a 30-day Philadelphia Local (PHL_TWR) solo endorsement to a student upon completion of the Intro to Local (ITL) training sequence (ITL Sweatboxes 1-5).
- A mentor or instructor may issue a 30-day Allentown TRACON (ABE_APP) solo endorsement to a student upon completion of the Intro to TRACON (ITT) training sequence (ITT Sweatboxes 1-6).
Students must still actively seek an OTS session with an instructor to complete S2 or S3 rating upgrade. The goal of the solo endorsements is to allow students to continue practicing skills learned in the training Sweatboxes while awaiting an OTS session. If an S2 or S3 OTS is not available via normal scheduling means at the end of the 30-day solo endorsement, the student may request a solo certification renewal from the appropriate Facility Coordinator or Training Administrator.
Additionally, booking an OTS is prohibited without possession of a valid solo endorsement. Upon confirmation of a scheduled OTS session, or at FC/TA approval, the solo endorsement may be extended for one (1) 30-day period. Additional extensions are not permitted.
This announcement outlines some of the changes effective immediately in the ZNY Training Procedure, live now on our website. Any students who have previously completed the ITL or ITT Sweatbox sequence but are awaiting an OTS session may request a solo endorsement via the #ask-staff channel. This should be a temporary process that won’t persist as an issue with the new training procedure.