How to become an Air Traffic Controller.
In order to become a controller in the Hellenic Airspace you have to be a member of the Greek Division (as a pilot this is not mandatory, merely encouraged). When signing up at VATSIM, you will be asked to select a region/division. Select Europe - Europe (except UK) and thereafter Hellenic vACC/vARTCC.
We would like to note that with your initial rating as "Pilot/Observer" you may connect only as an observer and not as an active controller. In order to become a rated, active controller you will have to undergo a relatively simple training and complete an easy questionnaire. Upon completion of both, your rating will be upgraded to "Pilot/Student Controller" after which point you may control in virtual airspace. Your ID will remain the same, but your knowledge and experience will be supplemented by your role as a controller.
The European Division VATEUD, of VATSIM has a very well organized Controller Training Department. You can read more below, in the paragraph named "Controller Training".
In order to become a virtual air traffic controller, one should first have limited experience as a pilot and mainly in the use of programs virtual pilots use to fly online, Squawkbox or FSINN so as to be in a position to appreciate the "other side" and help pilots with problems that may occur through the use of the aforementioned programs.
Moreover, since VATSIM is a world wide organisation, a controller will come in contact with pilots from many foreign countries. It is therefore necessary to obtain a certain, basic level of knowledge of the English language, enough to communicate in the ATC framework. Recently we have tried to remove being an experienced virtual pilot as a prerequisite for becoming an Air Traffic Controller. We were led to this decision by the fact that most real life controllers have never learnt to fly an aircraft and yet they excel at their work.
To further this effort we created a new manual called 1st Steps ATC which you can find in the Controllers Tutorials section (see above). This introductive manual analyzes some basic rules that regulate IFR flights as well as illustrates certain actions a controller takes. We consider this manual of paramount importance and suggest you study it - especially if you are not a seasoned pilot.
As a controller you will have to be familiar with the various functions of the ATC simulation program you will be using in the virtual flight environment, EuroScope or VRC. Make sure you read and familiarise yourself with the manual that accompanies the program.
The VATEUD TD site explains a great deal of basic controller skills and functions. On the left side of the page you will find multiple links concerning procedures and regulations in the virtual airspace. We would urge you to visit and enjoy this excellent training resource!
Hands On Training: Prospective controllers receive hands-on, practical training every Monday night, online, at Thessaloniki, Makedonia (LGTS). During training the instructor connects as LGTS_T_APP, while the trainee connects as LGTS_OBS and later as LGTS_APP. In the approximately 2 hours of training the trainee provides full Approach/Departure services at LGTS with the instructor assisting and advising. There will also be 1 hour at the beginning of every training night, which will be a theory lesson. After the evening ends, a debriefing follows, during which mistakes are discussed and things done correctly are praised.
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ATC Training Nights
General Introduction
ATC training nights is the process followed so that a member of HvACC can obtain necessary knowledge so that s/he can act as an air traffic controller in VATSIM and in the Greek virtual FIR in particular.
Training Area
ATC training nights take place in the area of Thessaloniki Makedonia Airport, every Monday night from 18:00 till 21:00 Zulu Time.
Training Process
The training process last approximately six week and will consist of 4 or 5 students. An email will be sent to all HvACC members to notify them that they can apply for a position when a new training cycle begins.
For someone to apply for a training cycle some pre-requisites must have been met:
• VATSIM Student (S1) theory test must have been passed
• Each candidate should have downloaded EUROSCOPE and have learned its basic functions.
The following subject will be spoken about each week:
• Lesson 1: General Info - Introduction to Air Traffic Control, Separations
Post lesson 1 candidates should begin to learn EUROSCOPE on their own.
• Lesson 2: Positions and Airspace - TA/TL, ATC positions and each positions responsibility, FP's, and Airspace limits.
Prior lesson 3 candidates should look at ICAO4444 radiotelephony manual (link will be provided).
• Lesson 3: Radiotelephony - Example communications in English language, text/alias
• Lesson 4: IFR - VOR and ILS procedures
Post lesson 4 candidates will be asked to give S2 theory test. Those who show more than satisfactory progress AND pass S2 theory test will be able to man up to LGTS_TWR on their own
• Lesson 5: IFR cont. - NDB and Circling procedures, Holding patterns VFR Flights
• Lesson 6: Summary and Questions - Highlight important areas, answer outstanding questions and queries.
Graduation
Controllers Training Department experience and the views of all those being trained by HvACC indicates that the familiarization process both for the controllers’ way of thinking as well as the software comes quickly. So, as soon as this familiarization is acquired the “graduation” of the trainee follows.
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Controller Certification.
In order to receive your first rating as an air traffic controller you will have to succeed in a (simple) theory test, to take part in the ATC school (six weeks) and complete one practical test (as an online controller). The first part of the examination (theory) requires simple knowledge easily obtained by studying the links and manuals suggested above, 1st STEPS ATC and ASRC, EuroScope & VRC.
In order to take the test, visit VATEUD TD and click on "ATC Upgrade Request & Status". Follow the instructions and you will see the form along with detailed instructions about completing it. The practical test will be conducted after you attend some training nights (there is no set limit) at which the Controllers Department instructors will help you accumulate some experience and knowledge and take your first steps in ATC. In case you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.
Read the section "ATC Ranks" to get an idea of the requirements for each level.
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ATC 
