OTS Requests

[Jim Thompson]

Just a reminder. You should not be "requesting an OTS" at any position during your training. It is up to an instructor to inform the training staff, and ultimately you, that you are "ready" for an OTS.

We are doing our best to have more than one instructor work with, test and promote students on BAY_TWR and SFO_APP (the two main "jumps" in certification from my perspective). Hopefully an increase in mentor availability (thanks MF), additional instructor staff and ratings relaxation nights will help everyone reach their goals faster.

The bottom line is that it is up to the training team, lead by Inigo and Tom, to determine (using our new instructor system and training notes/log) when you are ready. If you have any questions, ask them :p

[Inigo Markle-Allen]

Jim has hit the nail squarely on the head. Asking for a progress check from an instructor on how you're doing with your training is fine. That's also what the training notes are for, getting a dialogue going with your instructor and checking on your progress. We have a surprisingly structured training program that I'm working hard to make even better all the time, and ultimately the instructor staff is going to know the material you need to be proficient in more than you, the student.

If you feel ready that's great, let us know! However it's up to us, the instructor staff, to tell you when you're ready and invite you to take your OTS. I felt ready to take my Private Pilot checkride after an hour in an airplane, but the fact is I still haven't taken it because there are certain things I can't do safely and proficiently yet.

Definitely stay in touch with us about your progress; how we think you're doing and what's next in your training, but don't tell us you want to schedule an OTS, because that's not how it works. When your instructor deems you have sufficient experience and/or makes the recommendation to me that you take your OTS (depending on the rating/position sought), we'll contact you and invite you to take it. We love to hear people excited about controlling and saying they're ready to progress, just remember that it's ultimately at the discreation of the instructor staff! :)

For more information on this issue feel free to reference the following ARTCC Policies:

ZOA Promotion Requirements (http://www.oakartcc.com/operating_procedures/1)
ZOA Training Program (http://www.oakartcc.com/operating_procedures/5)