In order to keep the quality of our network high, it is not possible to control any position as new controller unsupervised initially. FRAs (facility rating assignments) were created for this purpose, which only allow logging in to such positions based on certain ATC ratings. Generally speaking our division requires at least AS2 rating (ATC Student 2) to connect anywhere. Your initial rating as new controller will be AS1 and thus, in order to control, you will need to request ATC training and successfully complete 10 supervised hours of active controlling as Clearance Delivery/Ground Controller. You can read more on this in our Training Procedures page.
Once you have decided on an airport, then (unfortunately) you have to start learning again, because in addition to the uniform basics throughout the US and Canada, every airport is different and has its own procedures. It is therefore important that you now familiarize yourself with these local procedures at your airport (if available).
Once done, then nothing stands in the way of your first ATC lessons:
- At the clearance delivery (DEL) position you are responsible to issue IFR flightplan clearances in accordance with local SOPs and what the pilot requested.
- The ground controller (GND) is responsible for taxiing the aircraft from their parking position to the runway and from the runway to the parking position. At airports without delivery or if delivery is not online, the ground controller also handles Clearance Delivery.
- The tasks of the tower controller (TWR) becomes more demanding: This position gives all clearances for the runway and is responsible for the planes in his control zone which can be quite demanding. If the ground controller is absent, the tower controller also takes over his duties.
Once you feel ready go ahead and submit a training request via the IVAO training system. You will then be contacted by one of our division training staff.