At VATSAF you can receive training in providing ATC within Southern African airspace. Unlike a pilot you cannot simply connect and start providing ATC services, this is to ensure a high standard of ATC within VATSAF and VATSIM as a whole. A special note that your ATC training and progress through the different levels is driven by you the student. When you feel you are ready for the next level, get in touch with your instructor and request additional training. Your instructor will let you know if they feel you are ready, and if so additional training will be scheduled. How long it takes to progress through the various ATC positions is dependant on the individual and your aptitude for ATC.
Within VATSAF we utilise a client called Euroscope, so expect to be taught and mentored using that client. Euroscope can be downloaded here. Please install it and download the sector files for the area you wish to control. The sector files can be downloaded from the website, under the downloads section. When installing Euroscope, please install within c:program files euroscope. This will ensure the sector files will work as downloaded and not require modification. If you require any assistance with the install, please do approach one of the instructors on teamspeak. After you have completed the install, do not connect to VATSIM, arrange training first as you will need to work with an instructor initially.
Your training will consist of the following steps:
- Radio Telephony course
- Radio telephony test - online
- Euroscope walkthrough with instructor (Setup, navigating etc)
- Clearance Delivery/Ground position
- Tower Services
- Approach control
- Area control
- FSS Southern Africa Control.
VATSAF ATC instructors are:
Lee Harmen
Jacques Malan
David Van Der Byl
VATSAF is always looking for ATC students, hope to see you soon...