including your VATSIM ID, in order to get the missing upgrade investigated.
# Controller Practical Test (CPT) policy for VATSCA
## Introduction
This guideline ensures fair and transparent student assessments across VATSIM Scandinavia. Adherence to the following policies is required: “VATEUD CPT Log Guidelines – Ver. 1.2,” “VATEUD Division Training Policy – Ver. 1.0,” and “VATSIM-POL-GCAP – Ver. 1.1.”
The “CPT Log” (ver. 1.3) must be used for all S2, S3, and C1 rating CPTs and can be downloaded [here](https://wiki.vatsim-scandinavia.org/books/training-documents/page/examination-templates).
For Tier-1/Tier-2 endorsements, an examiner assesses the student only if they fail to meet standards after 4 training sessions. If the student meets or exceeds standards, the endorsement is issued immediately; otherwise, the Training Director is consulted. A T1/T2 endorsement does not require a CPT.
A CPT must be conducted at any Training airport and may only occur at a T1/T2 airport if the endorsement is part of the training. CPTs on Sweatbox requires the Training Directors approval.
Failure to follow this policy and use the CPT log invalidates the CPT. Refer to the “VATEUD CPT Log Guidelines” for guidance on each rating.
## Coverage
ATC manning positions on VATSIM are generally required to provide top-down coverage.
### S2 CPT
ATC with S2 rating should be able to cover **TWR** as well as **GND** and **DEL** positions below, when they are not separately manned.
It is the responsibility of the Examiner to arrange the S2 CPT so the student could demonstrate these controlling capabilities.
Several options are available, for example: 1. The candidate man the **TWR** position with no supporting ATC on **GND** or **DEL**, however, controller(s) are on standby to open any of these positions at the examiner's discretion.
2. At the start of the S2 CPT the candidate man the **TWR** position with support below at least on **GND** . In the middle of the S2 CPT the candidate switch to the **GND** position with no **DEL**.
3. The candidate man the **TWR** position at the start of the CPT with supporting **GND** and **DEL** positions below to attract traffic. At the examiner's discretion the **GND** including **DEL** is closed to let the candidate demonstrate top-down coverage for some period of the S2 CPT.
### S3 CPT
A controller with S3 rating should be able to cover **APP** as well as **TWR** position(s) below when they are not separately manned.
It is the responsibility of the Examiner to arrange the S3 CPT so the student could demonstrate these controlling capabilities.
At VATSIM Scandinavia generally **APP** positions provide coverage for additional regional airports within the TMA. Thus, top-down coverage could be demonstrated by controlling traffic at these regional airports.
At the discretion of the examiner it is allowed to have the main airport **TWR**, **GND**, and **DEL** positions staffed during a S3 CPT, but **not** the regional towers below within TMA as well.
### C1 CPT
A controller with C1 rating should be able to cover **CTR** as well as position(s) below when they are not separately manned.
It is the responsibility of the Examiner to arrange the C1 CPT so the student could demonstrate these controlling capabilities.
Regional airport **TWR**s in VATSIM Scandinavia generally also provide *regional* TMA control. Thus, top-down coverage could be demonstrated by controlling traffic at these regional airports. At the discretion of the examiner it is allowed to have:
1. The main airport **APP**, **TWR**, **GND** and **DEL** positions staffed during the C1 CPT
2. A couple of regional towers might be staffed to check coordination skills, however, the majority of the regional airports should not be staffed. It is **not** allowed to have RTC covering *all* regional tower during a C1 CPT.
Higher positions should always be manned to attract traffic and ensure proper handover.
## Examiners
For a C1 CPT, two examiners are required. If a second examiner is unavailable, inform the Training Director. Examiners must agree unanimously; if not, mark the CPT 'Postponed,' write a summary, and provide the log file to the Training Director for a decision.
For S3 and S2 CPTs, two examiners or an examiner and a mentor must be present. If unavailable, the CPT may proceed with one examiner, who will make the final decision. The assisting examiner/mentor should be consulted, aiming for a unanimous decision.
Examiners must be impartial. If an impartial examiner is not available, inform the Training Director.
The examiner's decision is final and must be communicated to the student within 1 hour, subject to override only by the Training Director or VATEUD.
The examiner must save the EuroScope log file from the CPT and store it for at least 1 month, providing it to the Training Director upon request.
## Results leading to a failed CPT
The examiner can end the CPT at any time if the examinee is performing significantly below standards.
A CPT cannot be failed if all competencies are sufficient. If a competency is marked insufficient but the trainee passes, a clear explanation is required. More than two insufficient results in a fail.
A loss of separation results in a failed CPT unless:
1. It was partly caused by an adjacent ATC station, and the examinee acted quickly to resolve it.
2. It was partly caused by poor pilot performance, and the examinee acted quickly to resolve it.
3. The situation was too complex, and additional stations should have been online for support.
A burst of airspace results in a failed CPT unless:
1. It was due to poor pilot performance, and the examinee acted quickly to resolve it.
2. Adjacent sectors approved the burst beforehand.
A collision or near collision on the ground results in a failed CPT unless:
1. It was due to poor pilot performance, and the examinee acted quickly to resolve it.
Failing the "Demonstrates professional behavior and pleasant attitude" field results in a failed CPT.
If any field is marked N/A, it must be reviewed theoretically with the examinee after the CPT. If the examinee fails to respond correctly, it is marked as Insufficient with a comment.
If there is insufficient traffic to assess competencies, use "The trainee needs to be observed again." The filled sheet must be provided to the examinee, and a new CPT scheduled.
## Requirements for Examiners
All VATSIM Scandinavia examiners must:
- Hold at least one rating higher than the position being examined (C1 or higher for C1 CPTs).
- Be an active mentor and controller.
- Be in good standing with the VATSCA Training Department.
To recruit examiners, the local Training Manager nominates candidates to the Training Director. If approved, the nominee conducts an examination with an experienced examiner, who evaluates their eligibility. If both the Training Manager and the Training Director find the nominee satisfactory, an endorsement is issued.
# Transition Training ("Fast-Track")
## Introduction
Students with extensive prior Air Traffic Control (**ATC**) experience who hold an ATC rating as a
1. Real-life Air Traffic Control Officer (**ATCO**), or
2. International Virtual Aviation Organisation (**IVAO**) network controller
may apply for Transition Training at VATSIM Scandinavia. **Note**: Transition Training at VATSIM Scandinavia is referred to as *Fast-Track* in VATSIM and VATEUD documentation. However, the term *Fast-Track* is misleading, as it creates the impression of skipping the training queue, which is generally not the case.
*Definition* **Transition Training** means the training will be individually adapted, performed at an accelerated pace, and the student does not need to complete a formal Controller Practical Test (**CPT**).
The VATSIM Scandinavia Transition Training procedures are based on the [VATEUD ATD Fast Track procedures](https://wiki.vatsim-scandinavia.org/attachments/541).
## Requirements
To be accepted for Transition Training, candidates must fulfil at least one of the following requirements:
| Background | Current rating | Transition to VATSIM rating |
| Real-life ATCO | ADV, ADI | S2 |
| APP, APS, ACP, ACS | S3 |
| IVAO controller | APC | S2 |
| ACC | S3 |
**Real-life ATCO**
A real-life ATCO holding an ADV or ADI rating is eligible for Transition Training up to S2 rating on VATSIM. Note that the real-life ATCO's rating must be valid, or have been valid within the last 3 years.
**IVAO controller**
Transition Training from an IVAO rating is permitted to the corresponding VATSIM rating one step below. For example, if an IVAO controller holds an APC (approach positions on IVAO), Transition Training to VATSIM rating S2 (tower positions on VATSIM) is possible. The IVAO controller must have provided at least 5 hours of online ATC within the last 3 years.
## Training Request
Candidates meeting the requirements who wish to request Transition Training should contact the VATSIM Scandinavia **Training Director** by email (*training-director@vatsim-scandinavia.org*).
**Real-life ATCO**
The ATCO should include a high resolution copy of their real-life ATC license and certificates.
**IVAO controller**
The IVAO controller should include a screenshot clearly showing:
- Name
- Rank
- Controller hours
- Date of last controlling session
Candidates should select one (1) country Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, or Iceland, where they would like to train.
## Transition Training Procedure
Since the knowledge, skills, and background of students accepted into the Transition Training program may vary widely, there is no standardized one-size-fits-all training procedure. Instead, the Training Lead and the Training Director create an individual Transition Training plan based on the student's background. The individual plan should generally be based on one of the following templates.
### Direct Transition Training
Direct Transition Training is applicable if the real-life ATCO has a rating and endorsement for a particular unit and would like to provide ATC on VATSIM only at the corresponding position(s) up to S3 level, possibly including Tier 1 endorsements.
If for example an ATCO has real-life license to provide ATC at GG APP and TWR and would like to control Göteborg Approach and Landvetter Tower on VATSIM, the following Direct Transition Training plan would be used as basis for the individual Transition Training plan. It is not mandatory, but highly encouraged to start practical training with Direct Transition Training students with higher priority, since they would be able to provide valuable information with respect to real-life local operational procedures at positions we simulate at VATSIM Scandinavia.
VATEUD Core Test Fast-Track Theory Exam
When the student's application for Transition Training has been verified and accepted by the VATSIM Scandinavia Training Director and the VATEUD Training Department, the student is given access to the VATEUD Core Test Fast-Track theory exam.
Practical Training
The Training Lead request rating upgrade when the student has passed the VATEUD Core Test Exam. When a mentor is available, the mentor provide 1 to 2 practical training sessions at the specific position(s) focussing on VATSIM software, environment and community.
Obviously, the student is expected to perform exceptionally well with respect to controlling skills and applying local operating procedures considering the professional background and training.
Training Completion
Once the student has become familiar with the VATSIM environment and after completing the final session, the student may staff the specific position(s) on VATSIM.
**Note**: The local operating procedures, such as phraseology, controlling software, and environment at VATSIM Scandinavia might be much more different from the real-life procedures in other countries and regions than you might expect.
Thus, a stepwise training approach should be applied. If the student does not perform at the expected level at any step of the Conditional Transition Training, the Training Lead and the Training Director may jointly decide to abort the Conditional Transition Training and transfer the student to the standard training queue and program.
Self-Study
When the student's application for Transition Training has been verified and accepted by the Training Director and the VATEUD Training Department, the student is given access to pre-training material. The student is expected to prepare and commit to self-studies.
Simulator Training
Once a mentor is available 1 to 2 Sweatbox sessions are performed. The student is expected to: - have exceptionally good theoretical background knowledge
- have acquired knowledge of local operating procedures and understanding of basic functionality of VATSIM controller software from self-studies
- quickly understand, implement, and remember feedback from the mentor
S1 Rating
The Training Lead assigns the VATEUD S1 Core test to the student and requests S1 rating upgrade once the student has passed the test.
Tower Online Training
The student has 1 to 2 sessions online a tower position together with the mentor. The student is expected to correctly apply local operating procedures, standard phraseology, and quickly adapt to the VATSIM environment. If the mentor is in doubt regarding the student's progress and performance, the mentor should immediately discuss next steps with the Training Lead.
S2 Rating
If the student follows the Conditional Transition Training up to S2 level, the student is assigned the VATEUD Core Fast Track theory exam (S2 level) and is upgraded to S2 once passed the theory test. Thereafter, the training is completed.
Consolidation
If the student follow Conditional Transition Training up to S3 level, the student is assigned the VATEUD S2 Core test. Once the test is passed, the student is upgraded to S2. The Training Lead may require the student to control on their own at a tower position for up to 50 hours during a 3-month period before the training continueus.
Practical Approach Control Training
The student has 1 to 2 practical sessions together with the mentor. The session(s) could be performed in Sweatbox and/or online at the mentor's discretion. The student is expected to have extraordinary good vectoring skills and be able to correctly apply local operating procedures. If the mentor is in doubt regarding the student's progress and performance, the mentor should discuss next steps with the Training Lead.
S3 Rating
If the mentor and the Training Lead find that the student's performance is satisfactory, the student is assigned the VATEUD Core Fast-Track theory exam (S3 level). Once the test is passed, the student is upgraded to S3. Thereafter, the training is completed.