International Virtual US-PTS-ADC-02 Aviation Organization Effective January 29th, 2014 United States Division Second Revision Aerodrome Controller For Class B airports Practical Test Standards IVAO United States Division Headquarters IVAO United States Division Air Traffic Control Operations Department IVAO United States Division Training Department www.ivaous.org, www.ivao.aero, us-hq@ivao.aero This is not a real world aviation practical test standards guide. This is for flight simulation and for use on the IVAO network only!
US-PTS-ADC-02 Second Revision International Virtual Aviation Organization United States of America Division Aerodrome Controller Practical Test Standards For Class B Airports January 2014 (Effective January 29, 2014) IVAO United States Division THIS IS NOT THE REAL WORLD PTS! THIS IS FOR AVIATION SIMULATION ONLY! www.ivaous.org, www.ivao.aero, us-hq@ivao.aero 2
Aerodrome Controller Class B Airports Practical Test Standards 2014 IVAO United States Division THIS IS NOT THE REAL WORLD PTS! THIS IS FOR AVIATION SIMULATION ONLY! www.ivaous.org, www.ivao.aero, us-hq@ivao.aero 3
Foreword The material presented in this document is intended for use on the IVAO network (www.ivao.aero) by members, examiners, and staff of the United States division (www.ivaous.org) and is not intended for real world aviation purposes. This practical test standards booklet, also referred to as PTS, is a supplement of IVAO HQ PTS and marking standards and is used to assist with localized standards in the IVAO USA Division and is not intended to replace the IVAO HQ PTS. This document is written by the US Training Department and subject to approval by the Training Coordinator, Air Traffic Control Operations Coordinator, and Division Headquarters. 4
Record of Changes - Initial Revision (August 2013) - Changed Oral Exam Failure Score from 35/100 to 49/100 (January 2014) 5
Table of Contents Introduction....7 General Information. 7 Practical Test Standards Concept...7 Abbreviations 7 Usage of US Division PTS 9 Special Emphasis Areas...9 Aerodrome Controller - Practical Test Prerequisites.. 10 Minimum Traffic Requirements for Aerodrome Controller..10 Applicant Responsibility..11 Trainer Responsibility,,,11 Examiner Responsibility..11 Satisfactory Performance..12 Unsatisfactory Performance 13 Automatic Failure Conditions.13 Areas of Operation 14 I. Oral Examination.14 II. Practical Exam Portion 17 III. English and Phraseology.. 21 6
Introduction General Information This guide is meant to be a supplement to the official IVAO aerodrome controller exam marking standards and practical test standards and should not be used as a replacement. It is intended for the examiner, trainer, and student/applicant in keeping a standardized workflow, understanding what is expected from applicants, and a basis at which trainers can teach from. Practical Test Standards Concept The IVAO HQ Training Department as defined a global, universal testing standards for this rating. However, due to the diverse environment, local FAA/CAA/GACA procedures varying in different nations, and extra requirements required by local division training and headquarters staff, IVAO HQ has allowed divisions to localize standards for exams. In the United States Division, we have standards that either meet or exceed IVAO HQ standards and applicants are tested on knowledge based majority on FAA procedures. Examiners must ensure these standards are met during practical and oral exams in order to recommend the applicant for the rating. Marking sheets and scores are provided by IVAO HQ Training Department and must be used during the exam by all examiners. (This documents are confidential and only allowed by IVAO Designated Examiners) All material tested on will be found and available at the IVAO US Academy or on the IVAO HQ website. Software related questions should be able to be found in the software manuals supplied by the IVAO HQ Software Development Department. Abbreviations AC ACC ADC ADM AGL AMEL AMES APC Advisory Circular Area Controller Aerodrome Controller Aeronautical Decision Making Above Ground Level Airplane Multiengine Land Airplane Multiengine Sea Approach Controller 7
ARTCC Air Route Traffic Control Center AS ATC Student ASEL Airplane Single Engine Land ASES Airplane Single Engine Sea ATC Air Traffic Control ATP Airline Transport Pilot CFIT Controlled Flight Into Terrain CP Commercial Pilot CRM Crew Resource Management DA Decision Altitude DH Decision Height DP Departure Procedure FAA Federal Aviation Administration FAF Final Approach Fix FIR Flight Information Region FMS Flight Management System FS Flight Student FS9 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 FSS Flight Service Station FSX Microsoft Flight Simulator X FTD Flight Training Device GCA Guest Controller Approval GLS GNSS Landing System GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System GPS Global Positioning System HQ Headquarters IAP Instrument Approach Procedure IFR Instrument Flight Rules ILS Instrument Landing System INS Inertial Navigation System IVAO International Virtual Aviation Organization LAHSO Land and Hold Short Operations LDA Localizer Directional Aid LNAV Lateral Navigation LOC Localizer LPV Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance MDA Minimum Descent Altitude MSA Minimum Safe Altitude NAVAID Navigational Aid NDB Non-Directional Beacon 8
NOTAM Notice to Airman NPO Non Profit Organization POH Pilot s Operating Handbook PP Private Pilot PT Procedure Turn PTS Practical Test Standards RNAV Area Navigation RNP Required Navigation Performance SEC Senior Controller SELCAL Selective Calling SPP Senior Private Pilot STAR Standard Terminal Arrival TAA Terminal Arrival Area TA Training Advisor (Examiner) US United States (Division) V₁ Takeoff Decision Speed V₂ Takeoff Safety Speed VDP Visual Descent Point VFR Visual Flight Rules VOR Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range VR Rotation Speed VREF Reference Landing Approach Speed VX Best Angle of Climb Speed VY Best Rate of Climb Speed WATRS West Atlantic Route System Usage of US Division PTS The US Division requires that all exams must be conducted in accordance to the divisional PTS. The order of this book is broken down in chronological order of the exam as it progresses. It is advisable that examiners use this PTS while giving the exam and trainers use it to assist in training applicants for the practical exam. This document is not confidential or restricted in its use. Special Emphasis Areas Examiners shall place special emphasis upon areas of operations considered critical to the exam and standards for the sought rating. If an applicant lacks 9
skill in these areas, deductions should weigh heavier. For the aerodrome controller exam, these are: 1. English Knowledge 2. Phraseology (FAA) 3. Separation and Coordination 4. IVAO Rules and Regulations 5. Automatic Failure Conditions 6. Emergency handling The primary focus of this exam is to evaluate the controller s ability to perform adequately and proficiently as a class B tower controller handling all airport operations, including Delivery and Ground. Aerodrome Controller Practical Test Prerequisites As per Section 1 of the IVAO HQ Training Department s Aerodrome Controller PTS, the applicant is required to: 1. be a member of the United States Division (R/R 4.6.2.1) 2. have an Advanced ATC Student (AS3) rating 3. minimum of 50 ATC hours (pilot hours do not count) 4. complete the theoretical exam administered by IVAO HQ 5. have a downloaded copy of IVAC, Teamspeak 2, and appropriate sector files for the exam (all available for free) 6. have a microphone, unless a doctor s note is provided to the Division HQ showing a disability in the usage of voice communications 7. have an account status of Active User (not be suspended/inactive) Minimum Traffic Requirements for Aerodrome Controller As per Section 4.3.1 of the IVAO HQ Training Department s Aerodrome Controller PTS, the applicant is required to handle the minimum required traffic: 1. Log on as a Tower (TWR) controller with no DEL or GND online. The US Division does not require a radar controller to be online 2. The airport must be a class B airport 10
3. There should be at least 4 IFR outbound traffic with at least one as a vectored departure, 4 IFR inbound traffic, 2 VFR aircraft, and 1 emergency 4. At any given time during the exam, there must be at least 1 VFR and 2 IFR traffic at the same time or 2 VFR at the same time 5. The emergency can consist of an engine failure, communications failure, departure failure (bird strike, engine out, etc.), or a no gear down indication/hydraulic failure 6. At least one aircraft must be text only 7. At least one aircraft, either VFR or IFR, must go around/missed approach Applicant Responsibility The applicant is responsible to review all the material on the Academy related to the Aerodrome Controller (ADC) rating and below, this PTS, the IVAO HQ Briefing Guide (PTS), US Divisional Policies, IVAO Rules and Regulations, airport procedures, and charts appropriate to the area that the exam will take place in. The applicant should do the following to prepare for the exam: 1. Contact the examiner to confirm a date and time 2. Select a class B (bravo) airport where the exam will take place at 3. Download the appropriate sector file from the IVAO USA Division website from the ATC Operations Department 4. Obtain the appropriate airport charts (www.airnav.com) and VFR sectionals (www.skyvector.com) Trainer Responsibility Certified IVAO Trainers who choose to train applicants specifically for their practical exam should follow this PTS and the IVAO HQ Briefing Guide. In the event where an applicant gets a question or task wrong and insists that their trainer told them otherwise, the trainer will be asked for an explanation, therefore, care should be taken that information being provided to the applicant is true and accurate. If the applicant should fail three (3) times on a practical exam, a trainer is required to provide an endorsement and recommendation for the fourth (4th) attempt to the examiner. Examiner Responsibility 11
The examiner conducting the practical test is responsible for determining that the applicant meets the acceptable standards of the knowledge and skill of each task within the appropriate practical test standard. The examiner must use this PTS to evaluate the applicant. The examiner should perform the following before the exam: 1. Contact the applicant within 48 hours of being assigned an exam 2. Confirm the date, time, airport to be used, and provide the applicant links to charts, the IVAO HQ briefing guide, and this PTS 3. The examiner should download the appropriate sector file to use on IVAC 4. The examiner should familiarize themselves with the area of the exam 5. Advise the applicant to use the cc.ts.ivao.aero Teamspeak channel for the exam 6. Advertise on the Facebook/Twitter pages, the forum, send a request to the HQ Pilots Group, and any other additional means of advertising for traffic (Aerosoft forum, word of mouth, etc.) 7. Obtain an observer for the exam if the applicant is a staff member or upon request by the TC/TAC 8. Keep track of all traffic that has made contact with the controller on the traffic count sheet and continue the count even after the minimum requirements have been met. Do not provide traffic count information to the validator unless asked specifically to do so by a member of the HQ Training Department The examiner has the final say on the location of the exam; however, the examiner is expected to meet the request of the applicant, if able and within policy. The examiner should use the Excel Marking Sheet provided by the IVAO HQ Training Department found in the staff panel. This sheet should be saved on the examiner s computer/storage device until the exam is validated, but it is strongly recommended to not delete the marking sheet. The examiner should take all notes as practical on the Excel Marking Sheet. Satisfactory Performance Satisfactory performance to meet the requirements for the rating is based on the applicant s ability and proficiency to: 12
1. perform the tasks specified in the areas of operation to standards 2. demonstrate proper judgment of all decisions relating to the exam 3. speak and understand English and use proper phraseology 4. follow all IVAO Rules and Regulations 5. score at least a 75% on the examiner s marking sheet Unsatisfactory Performance If, in judgment of the examiner, the applicant does not meet standards for a given task, the examiner can deduct the necessary amount of points depending on the consistency and severity of the deduction. If multiple deficiencies or a special emphasis area in a given task is unsatisfactory, the examiner can deduct more heavily. All deductions should be explained in the comments to the validator as per the Training Staff SOP (confidential document). If the final score is less than 75%, the exam is deemed unsatisfactory. The examiner has a right to discontinue the exam at any given time that a passing score is unobtainable. Automatic Failure Conditions There are certain conditions that will cause an automatic failure of the exam. 1. Oral Exam, insufficient knowledge: (49/100) 2. Applicant decides to stop the exam (0/100) 3. Violations against IVAO R/R (1/100) 4. Not having charts for the exam (49/100) 5. Losing separation (exam should not discontinue unless multiple separation errors and collision possibilities occur, however, examiner should do their best to continue the exam until the end) 6. Virtually no English ability evaluated during oral exam (35/100) 7. Leaving during the debriefing or any portion during the exam (0/100) If an automatic failure condition should occur, the exam will end. If the applicant does not show up for the exam without a valid reason within 48 hours, the exam will be a failure of 0/100. If the applicant s computer or IVAC crashes at any time during the exam, or in the event of a server error or disconnection, the exam should continue and the examiner shall mark the times of disconnection to include in the validator comments. 13
Areas of Operation I. Oral Examination NOTE: The examiner shall ask questions from each task below. They are marked in letters instead of numbers since the marking sheet does not contain points per the oral exam. The oral exam is a pass/fail evaluation. If two or more tasks are unsatisfactory, the oral exam shall constitute as a failure and the exam will be discontinued. Task A: IVAO Software Knowledge and Regulations Objective: To determine that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge of the elements related to IVAO software such as IVAC, Teamspeak 2, and the use of sector files as well as IVAO R/R 1. Know how to set up a sector file, obtain a sector file, set PVD/range, ATIS, CommBox, and proper use of the ATC channel 2. Know what the GUARD frequency is and what is used for 3. Know how to set up a Teamspeak 2 channel and how to manually access a given Teamspeak channel 4. Know how to call for supervisor assistance 5. How to obtain ARTCC and local information and usage of the ivaous.org website and other divisional resources 6. Per marking sheet know how to add and remove stations and callsigns to an IVAC chat window and able to obtain a distant ATIS/METAR on IVAC and decode it up to the RMK s section Task B: Charts and Air Law Objective: To determine that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge of the elements related to chart reading and air law 1. Chart reading the applicant should a. be able to obtain an airport diagram as requested by the examiner using FAA NACO charts only and answer questions related to reading the airport diagram 14
b. be able to obtain a SID chart and answer questions related to the SID chart such as types of SID s, RNAV, pilot navigated DP s, and transitions c. be able to obtain VFR sectional charts and determine class B airspace layers d. understand the difference between movement and non movement areas on the airport 2. Able to explain a. composite flight plans (Y/Z) b. ATC system in its entirety and proper coordination c. the National Airspace System including all airspace classes and VFR requirements to enter each and every one. The applicant must be able to have knowledge in every single airspace class for this section to be satisfactory d. Semi circular rules and VFR and IFR cruising altitudes e. Traffic pattern legs and what the option means Task C: Local Procedures Objective: To determine that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge of the elements related to local procedures at the airport where the exam will take place 1. Determine the airspace class and layers of the chosen airport 2. How to use local helicopter charts, if available and how to obtain sectionals for the area 3. Traffic pattern rules, regulations, altitudes, and direction of turns 4. Runway incursion areas and what they are and how to use them 5. Emergency plan of action and procedures (situational awareness questions, ask the applicant what they would do in the event of a given emergency at this airport) Task D: Meteorology and Weather Information Objective: To determine that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge of the elements related to weather information and METAR and TAF decoding 15
1. Given a METAR of an airport within the United States and FAA jurisdiction to decipher the entire METAR up to the RMK s section 2. Given a TAF of an airport within the United States and FAA jurisdiction to decipher 3. How to provide ceiling information and cloud coverage and what does CLR mean 4. How to determine the active runway based on wind direction 16
II. Practical Exam Portion NOTE: The examiner shall determine if the oral examination is sufficient and no tasks from the automatic failure are unsatisfactory before proceeding to the practical exam portion. The exam will stop as soon as the minimum traffic count has been made and all of these tasks have been evaluated or if the examiner has discovered an automatic failure condition or if he or she feels the exam will become a failure before the minimum traffic count has been made. In the event the applicant demonstrates severe deficiency, the examiner may step in to take over the controls to finish up with remaining traffic Task 1: IVAO Software Knowledge Objective: To determine that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge in elements related IVAO software including IVAC and Teamspeak 1. Correctly fill out ATIS and set up frequency (make sure it is the correct frequency) and be sure applicant is monitoring 122.8 in COMM2 2. Able to get METAR/ATIS (evaluated during oral examination) 3. Able to give private chat messages and text messages 4. Other tasks that were evaluated during the oral examination can be included in this task Task 2: General Aspects Objective: To determine that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge in elements related to the general aspects of aerodrome controlling 1. Coordination with other controllers, if online 2. Provides weather and traffic information to aircraft under controller s jurisdiction, especially providing altimeter information to VFR aircraft 3. Correctly chooses active runway(s) and changes runway in use accordingly when the wind changes 4. Provides proper runway crossing instructions 5. Correct use of flight strips (marked zero for this task if virtually no use of flight strips) 17
6. Provides proper CRAFT (clearance) and taxi instructions and confirms that aircraft has current ATIS information and advises traffic when ATIS information changes 7. Provides proper class BRAVO clearance to VFR aircraft or advises arriving aircraft to remain clear of the BRAVO 8. Emergency handling including proper coordination, communication, action, and remains calm Task 3: Prior Departure Planning Objective: To determine that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge in elements related to aircraft pre-departure procedures 1. Properly checks flight plan for mistakes and provides proper communication to the aircraft to correct any mistakes in the flight plan 2. AS per Task 2 Item 6, continues to provide proper CRAFT phraseology and clearance. If the entire exam shows insufficient CRAFT procedures, this task as well as Task 2 Item 6 shall be marked as zero 3. This task measures consistency in line with Task 2. If certain pre departure tasks in Task 2 are consistently insufficient, then tasks in Task 3 shall be marked as zero Task 4: Departing Traffic Objective: To determine that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge in elements related to departing aircraft 1. Correctly provides takeoff clearance and advisories, such as traffic in the pattern or on short final, wake turbulence avoidance, and separation 2. Applicant should properly use LUAW procedures. Providing a sequential landing clearance while traffic is lined up is an exam autofail. Canceling landing clearances in sequence while traffic is on a line up and wait is also an autofail condition 3. Sufficient spacing and timing between departures 18
Task 5: Landing Traffic Objective: To determine that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge in elements related to arriving and landing traffic 1. Handles missed approaches and go arounds properly 2. Correctly gives landing clearance, in sequence, and provides proper separation (as well as visual confirmation that traffic following is in sight), wake turbulence advisories as well as other advisories 3. Use of LAHSO if necessary or as requested by the examiner 4. Not providing a sequence number or to follow in a landing clearance is an autofail condition. Loss of anticipated separation is an autofail condition but should not end the exam. As stated in Task 4 Item 2, giving a landing clearance or not canceling a sequenced landing clearance while line up and wait is being used on a departing aircraft is an autofail condition and the exam can be stopped by the examiner s choice 5. Use of cleared the option for arriving VFR traffic Task 6: VFR Traffic Objective: To determine that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge in elements related to VFR traffic 1. VFR handling in general ability to: a. provide proper class B clearance or class B advisories b. gives updated weather and altimeter information c. provides traffic advisories and confirms separation d. use of delaying VFR traffic (extend downwind legs) e. special VFR (per request of examiner and if weather calls for it) 2. Helicopters ability to: a. provide proper phraseology for helicopters in the control zone b. handle an autorotation in the event of a helicopter emergency c. provide proper phraseology for helicopters landing in areas that are not in sight or under control of the tower d. provide air taxi if needed 19
e. helicopter evaluations should be included in the general VFR traffic handling and this task is only evaluated if there is a helicopter present during the exam 20
III. English and Phraseology Task 7: Radio Communications and English Proficiency Objective: To determine that the applicant can speak and understand the English language and use proper radio phraseology during the entire portion of the practical exam. The English portion is graded on a 0 4 scale. The radio communications proficiency is graded on a 0 6 scale. 1. English proficiency: 0 virtually no English ability whatsoever 1 difficulty in communicating and understanding 2 communication is understood and received with minor mistakes and misunderstandings 3 near native level, very well spoken and understood 4 native English speaker or a non native with virtually no mistakes both grammatical and in phraseology and very well understood 2. Radio communications proficiency: 6 perfect phraseology, not one single mistake 5 very few mistakes in phraseology 4 some mistakes made and mumbling or uhh s a lot 3 constant usage of non American phraseology 2 combination of the above mentioned points 1 not using virtually any correct phraseology 0 no proper phraseology with use of slangs and informal speech The examiner or trainer cannot provide training for English proficiency for the exam. Any questions regarding Aerodrome Controller English proficiency standards can be directed to the Training Coordinator or Training Assistant Coordinator. 21