Greetings,
My name is Josh Webb, and I am the Training Administrator for Miami ARTCC. It is my job to supervise your training experience here at ZMA. I also am responsible for your training progression and to ensure that you fulfill your potential as a VATSIM ATC. Our training goal is to provide all Miami controllers with the self-study resources and additional personal training needed to help them work effectively with the Miami team, and to provide pilots with the highest quality simulated ATC services. We also understand that different individuals may choose to pursue this hobby with different levels of intensity and commitment and will thus progress at different rates. Progressing from new Student to Senior Controller or beyond is a process that takes most people 1-2 years and many hundreds of on-line hours --- you must have patience.

Please read ZMA policies on the policies page. Training from Instructors and Mentors is available on-line, either on a "time available" basis or by appointment (suggested). Some advance discussion and coordination with the Instructor is strongly encouraged. Before asking any Instructor to spend time with them, students should be certain that they have reviewed all the available on-line materials that apply. Our Instructors are all volunteers with many demands on their time. It is not their job to simply repeat information that is readily available through this site or through the VATUSA Training Department. Learning to provide on-line ATC is largely a self-study process, with additional guidance from Instructors. There are times when Visiting Controllers and Temporary Guests are not eligible for Instruction by members of the Miami Training Department, however, any Mentor or Instructor will be happy to answer any questions and provide other assistance whenevertime permits. Begin to familiarize yourself with the FAA7110.65, AIM and Pilot Controller Glossary. They are not light reading, but they are the basis for everything we do and cannot be ignored if you want to advance. Familiarize yourself with our airspace. Get charts, observe other experienced controllers, fly as a pilot - whatever it takes so you get to know our airspace like the back of your hand. Then practice, study, and practice.

As per VATUSA policy, you must receive the recommendation of an Instructor for promotion consideration. Also to the extent possible, promotion decisions will be made by a consensus of theI nstructor/Mentor staff after careful observation of online performance. The number of hours you spend online has no bearing on promotion. Students will be expected to pass the VATUSA written exam and the required Miami PositionTests for the specific grade before final consideration for promotion.

Please review the memo below to understand the new steps of progression at ZMA. It is ultimately your, the student's, responsibility to ensure that you are at one of these stages, and can readily identify what you need to do to progress.

Blue Skies,
Josh Webb
Miami ARTCC (ZMA)
Training Administrator

PROGRESSION PLAN

Observer - Student 1: All new non-transfer students will startout with an OBS rating. They will begin training on Miami International Airport ground/delivery using sweatbox, team speak or observing on VATSIM. Once theyhave completed their training they will need a PV recommendation from a mentor/instructor. This PV will be a basic knowledge test of ATC Functions and Clearance Delivery / Ground procedures. The student will then be promoted to a S1 after passing a written test.

Student 1 - Student 2: Once a student becomes an S1, they can work at any minor facility (Delivery/Ground) by themselves. They will continue clearance & ground training at MIA, while working Tower. The instructor will then introduce ATCT (local) procedures to the student. When the student has a complete understanding of ATCT (local) procedures, a mentor or instructor will recommend the student for a Performance Verification (PV). If the PV is satisfactory the student will be promoted to S2.

Student 2 - Student 3: As an S2, a student can control any minor facility (tower) and will work with an instructor on minor approach facilities.Approach training will begin at either RSW/PBI/EYW. Once the student has the basics for approach they will be moved to Tampa (TPA) where the rest of the S2 training will be completed. A Mentor or Instructor will then recommend the student for their S3 PV. An instructor will conduct the OTS/PV at Tampa (TPA)f or the Student's S3 rating. If the PV is satisfactory the student will bepromoted to S3 and can control any approach except Miami.

Student 3 - Controller 1: Once a student has passed their S3 PV and received their rating they will be eligible to start training at Miami Approach. Once the student has been checked out for Miami Approach then they will start Center training. Anytime an S3 wants to control Center they either need to be training or being observed by an instructor. When the student is ready, an instructor will recommend the student for a C1 PV. If the student passes the C1 PV they will be certified to work CTR and will be fully checked out at ZMA.

PV's Only Instructors cangive PV's/OTS' for the S1, S2, S3, C1 rating and the PV for Miami Tower and Approach. If you have any questions about this policy, please post them in the forum.