Washington ARTCC Policies

Visiting Policy

Any controllers wishing to have a visitor status in the Washington ARTCC must send an email to the Air Traffic Manager and include the following:

1. Name
2. Preferred email address
3. Controller ID (CID)
4. Current ARTCC/FIR
5. Current VATSIM rating
6. Requested facility/airport and desired level
7. Reason(s) for wanting visitor status

Visiting controllers must be a member of VATUSA and must belong to an ARTCC. Controllers who are on the "removed" or "unassigned" rosters will not receive visitor status until they join an ARTCC.

Please be aware that ZDC Instructors will only provide training for familiarization of ZDC airspace and procedure to visitors.  At the discretion of the ATM, DATM, and TA, any visitor who lacks basic ATC skills and phraseology will be returned to their home ARTCC for the proper training.

What to expect as a Visiting Controller

• All visitors are required to take and pass the ZDC Basic Exam.

• In accordance with VATUSA policy, the following airports and facilities are classified as Major and require a Local Competency Training Plan (LCTP).  A visitor must be certified by a ZDC Instructor prior to controlling at any of these positions.
  
  
  1. Washington-Dulles (IAD) – Clearance Delivery, Ground, and Tower
  2. Washington-National (DCA) – Clearance Delivery, Ground, and Tower
  3. Baltimore-Washington (BWI) – Clearance Delivery, Ground, and Tower
  4. Andrews Air Force Base (ADW) – Clearance Delivery, Ground, and Tower
  5. 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)
  6. Washington Center (ZDC) – All sectors
• Visiting Controllers may control at any facility/position in accordance with the VATSIM Ratings Guidelines (listed below) that is not classified as a Major or requiring LCTP (listed above), once their visitor status has been approved.
  
  
  1. Student (S1) = Clearance Delivery (DEL), Ground (GND), and Tower (TWR)
  2. Senior Student (S3) = Departure (DEP) and Approach (APP)
  3. Controller (C1) and above = Center (CTR).
     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.
• Visiting Controllers will be evaluated on the core competencies of their current rating prior to being allowed to work any ZDC position solo.  If the Visiting Controller lacks the core competencies, they will be referred back to their home ARTCC for training
• Visitors must be promoted in their home ARTCC/FIR and may not work a position at an ARTCC/FIR they are visiting that is higher than the current rating allows.  However, once promoted in their home ARTCC/FIR, visitors may begin training for the positions aligned with the new rating.
• All visitors must go through the same Major and LCTP training as ZDC members.
• A list of approved visiting controllers is maintained on the ZDC Roster
• Visitors may control during Events.  Prior permission must be obtained from the Air Traffic Manager, Deputy Air Traffic Manager, Events Director, or an Instructor.  When signups are required for events, visitors are encouraged to sign up.

VATUSA & VATNA Visitor Policy

The full VATUSA policy may be found here:

Key points from the VATUSA Visitor Controller Policy:

• No more than 50% of a controller’s active online time shall be spent as a visiting controller.
• All ratings must be earned at the controller’s home ARTCC.
• Controllers must apply for Visiting Controller status and must be accepted before they can provide ATC services within the ARTCC to which application for visiting status has been made.
• The ARTCC to which a controller has applied for visiting status may, as part of the local competency training process, evaluate the controller as to their proficiency with respect to the core competency requirements of the Controller Rating Guidelines for his/her current rating. If the controller is found lacking in proficiency, he/she may be refused visiting status. Such determination may be reported to the member’s home ARTCC for further action.
• Visiting controllers aiming to provide ATC services at any MAJOR designated airport or LCTP facilities or Enroute Center positions must successfully complete the visiting ARTCC’s established certification training and assessments for the appropriate MAJOR and LCTP facilities. In the case of the Enroute Center positions, this shall include all MAJOR and LCTP facility certification training and assessments.  MAJOR and LCTP facilities are listed above.
• Visiting controllers will be expected to read, understand and follow all local operating procedures established for the facilities in which they provide ATC services – no exceptions.
• All local operating procedures (LOAs, SOPs, etc.) and other pertinent documents shall be publicly available on each ARTCC’s website.

Remember, acceptance as a visiting controller is a privilege and visiting controllers shall abide by all requirements, testing, and procedures specified within that particular facility.