The Training Process
The Training Department's courses each follow the same general process.
Courses comprise three key stages: theory, practical training (mentoring), and assessment.
To manage our student database effectively, we'd prefer that students complete theory test(s) and apply for practical training within 90 days of enrolment. Records become liable for purging from the system if theory training is not completed within this time unless prior arrangements have been made.
That said, we would also prefer that candidates take the theory training seriously; too often, we have S1 candidates sit the written examination multiple times within a day or two of enrolment. As a guide, we expect candidates to take at least two weeks to adequately cover the materials before applying to sit the written examination, and we require a 72-hour stand down between each attempt. Candidates not following these rules can expect significant delays in progression. Typically, this will include a referral to the Training Director before being placed at the end of the queue for mentor assignments to not disadvantage candidates who know how to find instructions and then read and follow them.
Where possible, those who have only partially completed the written test will be sent a reminder e-mail after 60 days, advising that they will have 30 days to complete their tests and apply for practical training.
- Theory
Once a student's enrolment has been accepted, they are given access to the Course Training Materials and use these to study the course's theory content. Typically, this is followed by a written examination covering the information contained in the materials. Completing the theory examination allows the student to move on to the next training phase. Students may require multiple attempts at the theory test; there is no limit. However, a 72-hour "cooling-off" period must be observed between each attempt. The advantage of waiting, apart from giving students the time to hone their study, is avoiding a separate test with the Training Director if the cooling-off period is not observed. The written examination aims to ensure that the student understands the course's theoretical components, which will form the basis upon which their practical training will build. - Mentoring
Mentoring consists of one-on-one practical training with an assigned mentor from the VATNZ Training Department.
Mentors utilise the SweatBox simulator training platform for most courses to teach the practical skills required to complete the course. At the mentor's discretion, SweatBox sessions may be augmented with live sessions on the VATSIM network (except for the initial S1 rating, which is carried out entirely on SweatBox).
These sessions continue until the mentor signs off on their student as ready for assessment. - Practical Assessment
The final phase of each course is the Practical Assessment. This is conducted by a VATSIM-rated assessor from the VATNZ Training Department, typically one who has not been involved in this student's training. The student is evaluated against the elements of the course syllabus, and the Assessor decides whether the student has the required skills and knowledge. The practical assessment is designed to check that a student can control a sector/unit without the assistance of an instructor or mentor. All practical assessments are typically carried out on the SweatBox server, and only instructors with an Instructor Rating of I3 conduct assessments. Uncommonly, an evaluation may be carried out on the network, in which case a public announcement that a practical assessment is going to be taking place must be made by the training director, assistant training director or the instructor conducting the assessment. If the Assessor believes that further mentoring is required, the student will be redirected to their mentor with guidance on additional training areas.
Once the Assessor determines that the student meets the requirements for completion of the course, they recommend to the Training Director that the student be graduated. The Training Director will typically apply whatever rewards are associated with completing the course - e.g., upgrading the student's controller rating or adding an endorsement to their controller record - and officially mark the student as having completed the course.
For S2, S3 and C1 trainees close to the standard required for practical assessment, a "solo endorsement" authorisation may be granted whereby students can operate solo on position under conditions specified by their mentor.
Training workflow
The diagram below provides a more detailed description of the training workflow.
- Blue boxes are the various statuses your course enrolment will pass through.
- Green boxes are student-driven actions.
- Orange boxes are training staff-driven actions.
