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S2 Training (Tower)

General

In the FirBremen BremenFIR 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.

WeThe expectsolo youphase for tower lasts a maximum of only 60 days up to the CPT with a backup of another 30 days after a failed practical test, not including the Ground/Apron Endorsement. Since this period is very short, it is important to use yourthe trainingsolo efficientlyphase because it requires a lot of mentoring hours.efficiently. If weyou have the impressionknow that you arewill not usingbe able to use parts of the tower solo phase for personal reasons, please inform the responsible mentor as soon as possible, so that we can plan the solo phasesstart 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.accordingly.


Training types and abbreviations

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

  • PEW (Positionseinweisung)Introductions: DuringTogether with a "PEW"mentor, you will getgo all necessary information for controlling at the corresponding airport. This containsthrough local procedures and specialtiesspecialties, only.as well as discuss any open questions regarding your self-study. As this is just theoretical knowledge, it will most likely be combined with a Sim-Session. If available, this step can be a Moodle course and online test.
  • 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 requieredrequired 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 roomtips for youyour tonext ask questions that came up while controlling.steps.

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.complexity and extra trainings might be possible at any time, taking into account the availability of mentors.

edww-s2.pngedgg-s2-chart.png


PEWTraining Airport Ground Endorsement (Theory + 1. Sim Session
Sim)

Requirements
  • You have controlled at least 15 hours duringon S1 minor airports and hold a minimum of 10 hours activity in the S1last training2 months
  • 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 up to Ground
  • You prepared yourself for the training and observed other controllers at your new 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 you are totally unprepared, the mentor can postpone this training.

IfIn time permits, you will be able to do athe sim session. Heresession you will control the apron (EDDB, EDDH) or ground (EDDV) position with delivery top-down.
 If your mentor is satisfied with your performance, you will receive your ground endorsement. If not, a second session (Sim or Online) may be required or your self-training may continue for now on S1 Minor airports.

1.
OTS
 

Although it is not prohibited, we strongly recommend that you only control at your training airport. An exception to this is the preparation for the tower introduction. This can be best practiced on S1 towers before.


Ground Checkout

Requirements
 
  • You alreadyhave hadcontrolled theat PEWleast and25 ahours firstwith Simyour Session
    ground endorsement, including higher traffic situations
  • You have arranged a training with aA mentor has contacted you regarding your checkout
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. MoreThis is followed by a detailed debriefing.

 

If the checkout is rated positively, you can apply for your Tower Introduction. If not, 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.

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.Tower Sim/OTSIntroduction on(Theory Tower+ Sim)

Requirements
  • You controlled a minimum of 10 hours withpassed your currentGround SoloCheckout successfully
  • You worked through the "Tower" section in the KnowledgebaseKnowledgebase, including advanced topics
  • You worked through the SOPs of your airport up to Tower
  • You prepared yourself for thethis trainingstation and observed other controllers at your airport
  • If applicable, you prepared available Moodle training steps
  • You have arranged a training with a mentor
Contents

BeforeTogether yourwith Soloa will be extended to the Tower positionmentor, you will dogo through the SOP and discuss any open questions regarding your self-study. The better prepared you are, the shorter we can keep the theoretical part. If you are totally unprepared, the mentor can postpone this training.

In the Sim session you will control the tower position with top-down service. If your mentor is satisfied with your performance, you can proceed with online trainings. If not, more session may be required.

Tower OTS Training 

Together with a Simmentor, Sessionyou andcontrol atthe leasttower one OTS. As VFR will become more and more important from this point on, it will beposition in the focusevening. ofThe mentor checks if you are applying all procedures correctly and how you handle the trainings.situation online. This is followed by a detailed debriefing.

If your mentor is satisfied with your performance, you will receive your tower solo. If not, more sessions (Sim or Online) are required. 

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 TrainingsPhase

During your S1 solo phase furtheryou trainingswill independently control your training airport and prepare for your CPT. The controller practical test will take place on the tower position of your training airport.

The solo phase runs for only 30 days! Towards the end of these 30 days, you should have gained enough experience, also with advancedlarger topicstraffic volumes, to request a CPT preparation training. One extension of 30 days will be scheduled.granted Preparationwhich andshould practice before these mentor sessions is vital forinclude the nextcontroller step.practical test (CPT) at the end of this extension. 

CPT Preparation

Requirements
  • You have controlled at least 50h25h on the exam airportposition
  • You have a good routine for dealing with "normal" traffic situations including top-down service
  • 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

Contents

This training is about recreating the exact situation that you will face in a CPT. You will control the Tower including top-down service in the evening with your mentor silently watching you. If the mentor agrees, relieve stations can be allowed during the training and after approx. 60min other positions can be staffed again.

If the mentor is satisfied with your performance, the next step will be your CPT. He then makes an appointment with you and applies for your CPT. With your application, the ATSimTest will be activated.

The solo phase for tower lasts a maximum of only 60 days up to the CPT with a backup of another 30 days after a failed practical test.  If you have not earned an S2 rating by the end of the second extension (90 days), your training unfortunately has to end on the current position and a waiting time of 12 month will be applied. The leading mentor will inform you about possible alternatives. 

ATSimTest S2

Requirements
  • Open Book test, use your experience, the knowledge base and google to answer the questions.
  • 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 minorunrestricted airports in Germany and the possibility to apply for endorsements of majortier 1 airports.

Endorsements at Bremen FIR Bremen airports

In case you did your Training at a majortier 1 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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