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S2 Training (Tower)

General

In the Fir Bremen we use the airports Berlin (EDDB), Hamburg (EDDH) and Hannover (EDDV) for the tower controller training. In order to ensure the highest possible efficiency of the training, you will not change between airports during the training. Since the training runs independent and parallel, this document is to be applied equally to all three airports.

The training on Vatsim requires a high level of self-study, self-reflection and commitment.

For each training, you have to prepare yourself using the published information in the knowledgebase. It is important that you read the documents but also understand and learn the content. While studying ask other controllers, research and observe on frequency. If a training reveals that you do not meet the requirements, the training can be canceled immediately.

Mentorships guide you in your self learning journey. You are responsible for your own progress and rating approval.

We expect you to use your training efficiently because it requires a lot of mentoring hours. If we have the impression that you are not using the solo phases and/or trainings for your learning progress and you are showing little to no activity, we reserve the right to withdraw the solo or even your training position at any time. Exceptions may be made in agreement with the lead mentor.

For the first training step you will be contacted by a mentor. Thereafter it is mainly your responsibility to reach out to the mentors and arrange your trainings.


Training types and abbreviations

Every training will take place on the Vatsim Germany TeamSpeak server, in the FIR Bremen section. 

  • PEW (Positionseinweisung): During a "PEW" you will get all necessary information for controlling at the corresponding airport. This contains local procedures and specialities only. As this is just theoretical knowledge, it will most likely be combined with a Sim-Session.
  • Sim: Vatsim hosts a so called "sweatbox" server where sim sessions can be run. This has nothing to do with the live traffic on the network and is used for training special situations or making the first steps at bigger airports. The aircrafts are controlled by a mentor and the "radio transmissions" are done via TeamSpeak.
  • OTS (Over-the-shoulder): During an OTS you will control a station on the live network. A mentor will always be by your side to help you, answer you questions and take over the station if necessary.
  • Solophase: The so called "Solo" allows you to control at our training airports without having the requiered rating. The Solo is limited in time and allows autonomous training before an exam.
  • AT-SimTest: The AT-SimTests are web-based multiple choice tests which you already know from the S1 (Minor) Training. They need to be passed before your CPT. They can be found here.
  • CPT (Controller practical test): A CPT is a practical exam where you show an examiner and a local mentor what you have learned.

After every Training there will be a Debriefing in which you and the Mentor will discuss the session. The Mentor will also tell you where you can improve and give you tipps on how to do it. Needless to say there will be room for you to ask questions that came up while controlling.

Tip: You may and should listen to all kind of training sessions of other trainees. This is highly recommended and expected in all training phases, as the training sessions you actively attend will most likely not be sufficient on their own.


Training Steps

This is only an outline of the training steps to the S2-CPT. As the personal speed of learning and progress varies greatly between trainees, there may be individual variations. There might be extra steps at certain airports due to the complexity.

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PEW + 1. Sim Session

Requirements
  • You have controlled at least 15 hours during the S1 training
  • You have requested an online training in our trainings forum 
  • A mentor has contacted and assigned you to one of our training airports
  • You worked through the SOPs of your training airport 
  • You prepared yourself for the training and observed other controllers at your airport
  • If applicable, you prepared available Moodle training steps
  • You worked through/repeated the "Lehrbuch Basics of Controlling", "Lehrbuch Delivery" and "Lehrbuch Apron/Ground" in the Knowledgebase
Contents

Together with a mentor, you will go through the SOP and discuss any open questions regarding your self-study. In addition, there will be a short theoretical refresher for the contents of the Tower course. The better prepared you are, the shorter we can keep the theoretical part.

If time permits, you will be able to do a sim session. Here you will control the apron (EDDB, EDDH) or ground (EDDV) position with delivery top-down.

1. OTS on Ground

Requirements
  • You already had the PEW and a first Sim Session
  • You have arranged a training with a mentor
Contents

Together with a mentor, you control the ground position in the evening. The mentor checks if you are applying all procedures correctly and how you handle the situation online. More Sims or OTS trainings might follow, in general or with specific topics.

Solophase Apron/Ground

After you successfully complete your training, you are allowed to control the apron (EDDB, EDDH) or ground (EDDV) and delivery at the training airport on your own. If you have any questions, you can (and should) contact one of the mentors at any time.

The Solophase has a maximum length of 180 days. This is the combined Solophase for Ground and Tower.

It is very important that you stick exactly to the learned procedures and phrases during the whole training process, as they will give you confidence and only this way you will become ready for the first exam in that short time.

Even though the Solo will be listed for the Tower (EDD*_TWR) on the website, we restrict it internally (Ground only) for a more efficient training process. Also we restrict it in time with a maximum length of 8 weeks. You need to arrange another OTS within that time to maintain your Solo.

While you are in your Solo phase,  you may only control at your training airport, not on the other (minor) airports.

After a minimum of 10 hours on the position you can arrange the first training on Tower with a Mentor. Advanced Apron/Ground trainings might be scheduled before the tower training can begin.

1. Sim/OTS on Tower

Requirements
  • You controlled a minimum of 10 hours with your current Solo
  • You worked through the "Tower" section in the Knowledgebase
  • You worked through the SOPs of your airport
  • You prepared yourself for the training and observed other controllers at your airport
  • If applicable, you prepared available Moodle training steps
  • You have arranged a training with a mentor
Contents

Before your Solo will be extended to the Tower position you will do a Sim Session and at least one OTS. As VFR will become more and more important from this point on, it will be in the focus of the trainings.

Solophase Tower

After you successfully complete your tower training, you are allowed to control all stations up to Tower (S1 solo phase) at the training airport on your own. If you have any questions, you can (and should) contact one of the mentors at any time.

Internally we restrict the Solo in time with a maximum length of 8 weeks. You need to arrange another OTS within that time to maintain your Solo.

While your Solophase,  you may only control at your training airport, not on the other (minor) airports.

After at least 50h on the position you may apply for the CPT Preparation in coordination with the mentors.

Advanced Tower Trainings

During your solo phase further trainings with advanced topics will be scheduled. Preparation and practice before these mentor sessions is vital for the next step.

CPT Preparation

Requirements
  • You have controlled at least 50h on the exam airport
  • You have a good routine for dealing with "normal" traffic situations
  • You have reviewed all theory you have learned throughout your training
  • You have arranged a training with a mentor
Contents

Together with a mentor, you will either control the Tower in the evening or in a Sim Session during high traffic. The mentor checks if you are applying all procedures correctly and how you handle yourself online.

If the mentor is satisfied with your performance and your theoretical knowledge, he will give you the "go" for your final training.

Final Training

Requirements
  • Your mentor has given you the "go" for the final training
  • You have arranged a training with a mentor
  • The best time is exactly one or two weeks before your scheduled CPT
Contents

This training is about recreating the exact situation that you will face in a CPT.

The mentor might notice a few things that you could do better that didn't show up in the previous Trainings. If the mentor is satisfied with your performance, he will give you the "Go" for the CPT and the ATSimTest will be activated.

ATSimTest S2

Requirements
  • Your mentor has given you the "go" for your CPT
  • Read the training material on vateud.net / Training / ATC Training. Here you will find all information you need to pass the ATSimTest.
  • If you have further questions about the contents of the ATSimTest, please contact one of the mentors.

The ATSimTest must be completed and passed before starting the CPT. Otherwise, the exam cannot take place!


CPT

In the CPT you show two examiners (ATD examiner and local assessor) that you can control all ground positions under a normal traffic amount for that airport. All contents of the tower training are relevant for the exam.

Tip: control safely and exactly the way you learned it. Don't try to control the traffic overly cautiously, nor do try to get out to all limits and beyond - the examiners only want to see that you can handle the traffic volume well and as confidently as possible. A perfect CPT is therefore very boring for the examiners to watch. If you should have a major mishap or it's just not your day at all, don't be too disappointed about a failed CPT - of course, you have (mostly after a new CPT preparation training) another try.

After passing the CPT, you will be recommended for the S2 rating. With the rating upgrade to S2, you get the clearance to control all minor airports in Germany and the possibility to apply for endorsements of major airports.

Endorsements at FIR Bremen airports

In case you did your Training at a major airport (EDDH, EDDB), you will receive the endorsement automatically. Endorsements for other restricted airports inside our FIR will be given as soon as possible, if you like to control there.

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