Visiting and Transfer Controller Policy

Visiting Controllers

  1. Controllers wishing to apply for visiting status at vZBW shall send a visiting status request through this form. They must also supply an email/letter of recommendation from the ATM at their home ARTCC before their application will be considered; applications without the required letter of recommendation are considered incomplete and will not be acted on.

  2. vZBW ARTCC will not provide any training to help with a successful evaluation. The controller is expected to be competent to the level commensurate with their rating. Failure to meet the standards commensurate with the rating the controller already holds may result in termination from the visiting controller roster, and referral back to the controller’s home ARTCC’s ATM and TA, citing the deficiencies noted.

  3. At no time will any authorization/certification applied at vZBW supersede controllers' current ratings or certifications at their home ARTCC, and controllers may not proceed further than their rating or certification level at their home ARTCC.

Transferring Controllers

  1. Controllers wishing to apply for a transfer to the vZBW ARTCC shall apply via the VATUSA ARTCC Transfer Request Form.

  2. Once the OTS evaluation has been passed, and if the controller wishes to do so, the controller may pursue additional certifications by entering the vZBW training program.

Applicable to both Visiting and Transferring Controllers
  1. Any controller requesting to visit at or transfer to the Boston ARTCC will be subject to a background/history check, and may be declined if any of the following are true:

    • He/She has any known current disciplinary problems, or
    • He/She was previously a member of the vZBW ARTCC and transferred out due to a conflict, or
    • He/She was previously a member of the vZBW ARTCC and transferred out due to disrespect for existing vZBW policies, or
    • He/She demonstrated disrespect to their current ARTCC and its policies.

  2. The Air Traffic Manager and/or Deputy Air Traffic Manager reserve the right to decline any requests for visiting controller status or transfer requests for just cause.

  3. Upon acceptance of the request to visit or transfer (whichever is applicable), the controller will complete all applicable exams, and will then schedule an over the shoulder competency evaluation with a vZBW mentor/instructor. Once a successful evaluation has taken place, the controller will then be allowed to control at Non-Major/Non-LCTP positions only.

  4. Once a controller has been added to the vZBW roster they agree to operate under the vZBW Position Restriction Policy in relation to Major/LCTP positions and the vZBW Roster Removal Policy.

  5. Controllers who wish to control in Boston airspace on a regular basis but are unable to transfer to Boston, or controllers who do ultimately transfer to Boston may, upon completion of the required written, oral, and practical exams (or a combination thereof), staff positions approved with their certifications as described within the vZBW Position Restriction Policy. Such local procedure examinations will be conducted in accordance with the vZBW ARTCC Certification and Promotion Policy. The local procedure and competency checks shall be administered by the vZBW training staff.

    6. Initial Certification Flow

    Controllers holding an S1 rating:

    1. SOP exam
    2. DEL/GND exam
    3. S1 OTS evaluation

    Controllers holding an S2 rating:

    1. SOP exam
    2. Local Control exam
    3. S2 OTS evaluation

    Controllers holding an S3, C1, or higher rating:

    1. SOP exam
    2. Local Control exam
    3. Approach Control exam
    4. S2/S3 OTS evaluation (generally two separate evaluations, but may be given in one sitting)

    Notes:

    1. Visiting S2 controllers gaining their S3 rating at their home ARTCC shall take the ZBW Approach control exam and must pass an S3 OTS evaluation before being granted certification at non-LCTP approach positions.
    2. Visiting controllers and transferees coming from outside of the VATUSA division shall take the ZBW DEL/GND exam between the ZBW SOP exam and the ZBW Local Control exam, as there are enough pertinent differences in DEL/GND procedures to warrant study and examination.
    3. At the discretion of the mentor or instructor administering the S2 or S3 evaluation, if the controller is performing remarkably well and has passed the evaluation, and if the Mentor or Instructor feels that it is likely that the controller can simultaneously pass the requirements for Class C / LCTP certification, the mentor or instructor may flow right into a Class C / LCTP evaluation. If the controller passes the Class C / LCTP certification criteria, the Class C / LCTP certification may be awarded.

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