Training

ZFW Documents page

Welcome to ZFW.  This document is meant to provide new controllers at ZFW with a set of instructions for getting trained as an ATC.  First, it is important to understand that much of your training is self-paced and self-study.  Mentors and Instructors are available for the portion of your training which is practical application of what you have studied and learned.  Likewise, the instruction staff is available to answer questions whenever you have them.  That said, you are expected to study the materials and observe active controllers before requesting practical sessions from your instructor or mentor.

New ATCs with Observer Rating

  • ZFW SOP Exam:  Take and pass the ZFW SOP exam.  This is available on the VATUSA website in the exam center.  If you are unable to take it, contact your instructor or a staff member who will sign you up for the exam.
  • Radar client setup: VRC is the radar client used for all training at ZFW. Set up your radar client in accordance with the document included in your welcome package. You will need to be set up for Dallas Love Field.
  • Go through all of the S1 training pages at the VATUSA Training Resource Center available at THIS LINK.  This is the material which you must have a clear understanding of in order to become a competent ground controller.  The standards for promotion are the VATUSA Controller Rating Guidelines, available at: THIS LINK. You must be competent in all items for S1 prior to your promotion
  • Read and study the Dallas-Love Field (KDAL) SOP included in this welcome package, especially the General, Clearance Delivery, and Ground Portions. Make certain you have the Local Control Assist Sheet (last page of the SOP) available when you are training and controlling, it will make life easier for you.
  • Once you have studied the S1 and KDAL material, contact your instructor/mentor to schedule a practical session. All S1 practical training will take place on the sweatbox at Dallas-Love Field, which is an environment that will allow the simulation of aircraft that you can control.
  • Once you have demonstrated competency in accordance with the guidelines you will be signed off and promoted to S1, and you may control Delivery and/or Ground at any facility except KDFW.

Transfers and Visiting Controllers

  • ZFW SOP Exam: Take and pass the ZFW SOP exam. This is available on the VATUSA website in the exam center. If you are unable to take it, contact your instructor or a staff member who will sign you up for the exam
  • Radar client setup: VRC is the radar client used for all training at ZFW. Set up your radar client in accordance with the document included in your welcome package. You will need to be set up for Dallas Love Field
  • Read and study the Dallas-Love Field (KDAL) SOP included in this welcome package. Make certain you have the Local Control Assist Sheet (last page of the SOP) available when you are training and controlling, it will make life easier for you.
  • Once you have studied the KDAL material, contact your instructor/mentor to schedule a practical session. You will be evaluated in a sweatbox OTS at Dallas-Love Field to determine you competency level relative to the VATUSA Rating Guidelines. Position signoffs will be granted in accordance with the results of the OTS.
  • After passing the KDAL OTS, S2 and Higher Controllers should then study the KDFW SOP and expect a similar OTS for Major Airport endorsement for Dallas-Fort Worth International.
  • After passing the KDFW OTS, S3 and Higher Controllers should study the D10 TRACON SOP and request an OTS for the D10 TRACON endorsement.
  • After passing the D10 OTS, C1 and Higher members can expect monitored sessions and an OTS for FTW_CTR.

S1 Home Roster Controllers

  • After being promoted to S1, go through all of the S2 training pages at the VATUSA Training Resource Center available at THIS LINK. This is the material which you must have a clear understanding of in order to become a competent tower controller. The standards for promotion are the VATUSA Controller Rating Guidelines, available at: THIS LINK . You must be competent in all items for S2 prior to your promotion
  • Read and study the Dallas-Love Field (KDAL) SOP included in this welcome package. Make certain you have the Local Control Assist Sheet (last pages of the SOP) available when you are training and controlling, it will make life easier for you.
  • Once you have studied the S2 and KDAL material, contact your instructor/mentor to schedule a practical session. All S2 practical training will take place on the sweatbox at Dallas-Love Field, which is an environment that will allow the simulation of aircraft that you can control.
  • Once you have demonstrated competency to control at the S2 level, your instructor will schedule you for the VATUSA written examination for S2. This is comprehensive and covers all subjects from Basic ATC, Clearance Delivery, Ground, and Tower Control. You must pass this with a minimum 80% score.
  • After passing the VATUSA S2 Examination, you will be scheduled for an OTS practical examination where you will have to demonstrate competency at the S2 Level. Once you have demonstrated competency in accordance with the guidelines you will be signed off and promoted to S2, and you may control Delivery, Ground, and/or Tower at any facility except KDFW

S2 Home Roster Controllers

  • Read and study the Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW) SOP, available on the ZFW website. Make certain you have the Assist Sheets (last pages of the SOP) available when you are training and controlling, it will make life easier for you.
  • Undergo monitored sessions at KDFW to familiarize and sharpen your skills at Dallas-Ft Worth International Airport. Once you become competent to control at KDFW, you will be assigned to take the KDFW Major Airport written examination.
  • After passing the KDFW Tower Examination, you will be scheduled for an OTS practical examination where you will have to demonstrate competency at the KDFW Tower Position. Once you have demonstrated competency you will be issued a position signoff for KDFW Tower.
  • Once you have become endorsed to solo at KDFW Tower, you may then go through all of the S3 training pages at the VATUSA Training Resource Center available at THIS LINK. This is the material which you must have a clear understanding of in order to become a competent approach controller. The standards for promotion are the VATUSA Controller Rating Guidelines, available at: THIS LINK . You must be competent in all items for S3 prior to your promotion
  • Once you have demonstrated competency to control at the S3 level, your instructor will schedule you for the VATUSA written examination for S3. This is covers all subjects from Approach and Departure. You must pass this with a minimum 80% score.
  • After passing the VATUSA S3 Examination, you will be scheduled for an OTS practical examination where you will have to demonstrate competency at the S3 Level. Once you have demonstrated competency in accordance with the guidelines you will be signed off and promoted to S3, and you may control Approach and Departure at any facility except the D10 (Dallas) TRACON.

S3 Home Roster Controllers

  • Read and study the D10 TRACON SOP, available on the ZFW website. You will need to first pay particular attention to the diagrams and material for Departure Control.
  • Undergo monitored sessions for REG_DEP to familiarize and sharpen your skills at D10 Departure Control. Once you become competent to control at REG_DEP, you will be issued a certification to control REG_DEP solo.
  • Once you have been signed off at REG_DEP, read and study the D10 TRACON SOP, available on the ZFW website. You will need to pay particular attention to the diagrams and material for Approach Control.
  • Undergo monitored sessions at REG_APP to familiarize and sharpen your skills at D10 Approach Control. Once you become competent to control at REG_APP, you will be assigned to take the D10 TRACON written examination which covers approach and departure control for D10
  • After passing the D10 TRACON written examination, you will be scheduled for an OTS practical examination where you will have to demonstrate competency at the REG_APP Position. Once you have demonstrated competency you will be issued a position signoff for REG_APP.
  • Once you have become endorsed to solo at REG_APP, you may then go through all of the C1 training pages at the VATUSA Training Resource Center available at THIS LINK. This is the material which you must have a clear understanding of in order to become a competent approach controller. The standards for promotion are the VATUSA Controller Rating Guidelines, available at: THIS LINK . You must be competent in all items for C1 prior to your promotion.
  • Undergo monitored sessions for FTW_CTR to familiarize and sharpen your skills at Center Control. Once you have demonstrated competency to control at the C1 level, your instructor will schedule you for the VATUSA written examination for C1. This is covers all subjects for Center/En-route control. You must pass this with a minimum 80% score
  • After passing the VATUSA C1 Examination, you will be scheduled for an OTS practical examination where you will have to demonstrate competency at the C1 Level. Once you have demonstrated competency in accordance with the guidelines you will be signed off and promoted to C1, and you may control any position in ZFW solo.

Important

You are expected to do the preliminary work and study to help make the most efficient use of the ZFW instruction staff’s time. If an instructor or mentor feels that you have not studied the material required in accordance with this document, he may terminate your practical session and require you to revisit the material before your practical training may be continued.