Washington ARTCC Policies

General Requirements

Prior to controlling in ZDC, every controller must take and pass the ZDC Basic Exam.

Controllers may control at facilities/positions in accordance with the VATUSA Controller Rating Standardization Policy and the ZDC qualifications table. Members can expect to control at the following positions once they have achieved the corresponding rating.

• Student (S1) = Clearance Delivery (DEL), Ground (GND), and Tower (TWR)
• Senior Student (S3) = Departure (DEP) and Approach (APP)
• Controller (C1) and above = Center (CTR).

Controllers must follow all Standard Operating Procedures for ZDC and for the position they are working.  These are all available on the ZDC website.  Regardless of what is done in the real world, these are the policies we use here in ZDC.  If you have any suggestions, feel free to contact the Air Traffic Manager.

Position Restrictions

The following airports and facilities are classified as Major and require a Local Competency Training Plan (LCTP).  Controllers must be certified by a ZDC Instructor prior to controlling at any of these positions.

• Washington-Dulles (IAD) – Clearance Delivery, Ground, and Tower
• Washington-National (DCA) – Clearance Delivery, Ground, and Tower
• Baltimore-Washington (BWI) – Clearance Delivery, Ground, and Tower
• Andrews Air Force Base (ADW) – Clearance Delivery, Ground, and Tower
• Potomac TRACON (PCT) – All PCT approach and departure positions. (These positions provide the approach and departure services to IAD, DCA, ADW, BWI, RIC and CHO)
• Washington Center (ZDC) – All sectors

Note:  CTR controllers are required to complete testing for all Major airports and LCTP facilities prior to working CTR.  This is because the CTR may have to cover facilities that require Major or LCTP.