ZOA Releases Training Progression

[Paul Biderman]

Since I arrived in ZOA last fall one of the things that has been at the top of my priority list was to develop and release a training progression that conforms with GRP 2.0 and our own training standards. The purpose of this document is to make it clear to new and transferring controllers exactly what steps are needed to climb the ratings ladder from a new OBS up to your full CTR rating.

The progression is detailed in the ZOA training syllabus:
http://www.oakartcc.com/wiki/index.p...ng_Progression

And in this forum thread:

http://www.oakartcc.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4150

Let me try to answer some questions you'll have....

Q: I'm currently in the middle of my training. How does this affect me?

A: Current students are slotted into the progression at whatever point they're currently at. For instance, if someone currently has SMT on SFO TWR, they'll continue with that until they pass their SFO TWR PV. Then they'll begin their APP training at FAT and RNO.

Q: If I currently have SMT on a position does this mean I lose it till I complete steps in the progression?

A: No. Everyone currently in training stays at the level they are at until they are ready to take the next step.

Q: Why are we starting APP training at Fresno and Reno? Those places don't get a lot of traffic.

A: Beginning your approach training at Fresno and Reno will give you the opportunity to learn the basic principles of working approach without having the crush of large amounts of traffic that NorCal Tracon typically experiences. Once you demonstrate that you understand the principles and have a grasp on how to work APP your instructor/mentor will move you along in the training progression. Also the GRP 2.0 dictates that major facilities (in ZOA's case it's NorCal Tracon) are trained separately from "minor" facilities to ensure that controllers are properly trained in the local procedures and have demonstrated some proficiency at working those positions before moving to busier places like NCT.

Q: Does this mean I can no longer do any training on the live network?

A: No. Whenever possible our mentors and instructors will train with you on the live network. However some basic concepts will be taught in the more structured environment of Sweatbox.

Q: What if we get on the live network and there's no traffic?

A: Instructors and mentors have the ability to generate almost any type of traffic they need on Sweatbox and will move your training there if needed.

Q: I'm a visiting controller from another ARTCC. How does this affect me?

A: A separate visiting controller progression will be released very shortly.

Thanks to Adam Hulse, the members of the FAB and the members of the training staff for their hard work and input on this. Also like to thank past members of the FAB and training staff as a lot of these concepts were first proposed by those guys.

If you have other questions feel free to ask.

[Paul Biderman]

BTW I also updated all the broken links in the Training Syllabus to the 7110.65 and the AIM. They all work now, at least until the FAA changes them again.

[Paul Biderman]

We've also released a training progression that applies to visitors and incoming transfers:

http://www.oakartcc.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4203