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Messages - Kenneth Haught

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General Discussion / Controller Test... <_<

« on: September 02, 2010, 05:43:32 PM »

I can see where you are coming from, but I'm not sure where you are getting confused. All the VATUSA standard exams are based on materials found from the VATUSA Training Resource Center. In addition the tests are all open-book, which means you could literally begin the test, and then use the search feature of the TRC to find the correct answer. If you want more of a poll of what you know, then I am sorry, but we expect basic reading and comprehension skills when someone joins as a controller, mainly to ensure that they will be able to adequately learn new materials to apply to this virtual hobby. A minimum score of 80% is required, with no limit on re-attempts that I know of. In addition once you pass the Basic ATC exam you can meet with your ARTCC instructor to discuss questions you may have had trouble on or get some advice on where to find additional material. If it is the Basic ATC exam you are having problems with I would suggest that you carefully read the Basic ATC section of the TRC, available under the "Reference Material" list. That should contain most/all the answers for the Basic test. Beyond that I'm not sure exactly what you are asking for.

Ken

The Classroom (Controller Tips) / When Will My Status Change?

« on: August 25, 2010, 02:08:45 PM »

Lol yeah, technology is fun isn't it Gary. I figured it never hurt to give a little insight as to what goes on once you hear those magic words (you've passed) I know you're working hard to get all the bugs out of the site still.

The Classroom (Controller Tips) / When Will My Status Change?

« on: August 24, 2010, 03:50:59 PM »

It is the way the system operates. Without going into too much detail, when your training staff feels you are ready for the promotion we request the next rating through a separate page in VATUSA. It (the website) then acknowledges the change by temporarily setting your visible rating to that level (i.e. S1). It also shows it in your promotion history which is available to the Instructors and ARTCC staff to name a few (to prevent duplication of efforts). That sends the request to VATUSA, where it is then processed and sent to VATSIM. VATUSA and VATSIM sync their information twice per day (as far as I know) which is normally around 0300z and 1500z if I recall correctty. During this process typically the VATUSA page is reverted back to your original rating, although the promotion is still shown to the above mentioned staff. Once it has been successfully updated at the VATSIM level then it will show again on VATUSA (after the synchronization). You should also receive several emails during this process, from both VATUSA and VATSIM. Your final email with be a notification of rating change from VATSIM, at which time you can expect the rating to be effective within a matter of minutes (typically, although it can take up to an additional 12 hours).

Hope that explains it without confusing you, but as you can see a seemingly simple promotion can take quite a few steps, most of which are thankfully automated.

The Control Room Floor / Houston Holding Points

« on: August 05, 2010, 12:19:50 PM »

Quote from: Daniel Hawton

Your right.. I read the first paragraph and absorbed it as sarcasm and only made it half way through the final paragraph.. apparently before that sentence.

And controllers are getting spoiled as well. They think that just because a pilot isn't flying a simroute, they can re-route the aircraft to a whole new route willy nilly... not just changing what is affected in their airspace, but for the route several ARTCCs away with no controllers online and from a "normal" route to an RNAV route. Granted, he asked if I could take it and I declined preferring to stick to the real world route.. but the fact he tried to change more than my SID (which apparently is a "noise abatement" SID that wasn't marked as such) irked me.. especially when the first NAVAID on the route exists in half of the same SIDs for that airport.. instead he wanted to do an RNAV route that he pulled out of who knows where (as there were no simroutes for that route). Yes, pilots are spoiled but controllers are also going that way with the super ultra-realism it's my way or the highway. I've also had a tower controller send me a contact me, VFR, 20+ miles away and issue an instruction to remain at least 5nm away from other aircraft. I'm VFR... * SEE AND AVOID *.. and when I said this to the Class D Tower controller, he said "leave it to arrogant pilots to ruin it for everyone".. why because a 777 said he saw me flying around below him along the water but didn't alter his course/altitude because I wasn't close enough to disrupt his flight but going about my business over the water?

I'm well aware of the issue with the Tower controller, and that has been addressed. I agree that controller are also spoiled...with proper amendment procedures barely being touched upon, much less taught and tested. Blame it on whatever policy you want, but there are people who I have also had issue amendments without even bothering to connect back to my route at any point, no clue what aircraft suffixes mean (/A anyone) and assume everyone is GPS/RNAV capable...but I digress.

The Control Room Floor / Houston Holding Points

« on: August 04, 2010, 07:32:38 PM »

Daniel, you completely missed the post... [!--quoteo--][div class=\\\'quotetop\\\']QUOTE [/div][div class=\\\'quotemain\\\'][!--quotec--]...but agree that unless it is something that is on the APD or is clearly marked in default/common scenery it's very unlikely to be successfully implemented...[/quote] I am not advocating use of non-published holding points. It just seems to me that many pilots on VATSIM are becoming very spoiled. They can't be bothered to even attempt to check their routing for proper altitudes, then complain to the ARTCC if they are a bit too low on a non-published section of their route (which they filed for and presumably checked beforehand). They also seem to think we are the world encyclopedia when it comes to how to do the most basic things like adjust a heading, altitude, setup the pilot client (SB/FSInn/XSB), and a thousand other minor points.

To me it is entirely reasonable to expect a pilot not familiar with an area to check the ARTCC website, it saves a lot of hassle if A) there is no controller, or there is a controller and he/she is applying standard ARTCC policies that the pilot is not familiar with. Would I say you have to check each ARTCC every time you fly...absolutely not. As long as you are reasonably familiar with the area you should be aware of any special considerations that may be needed. Like I said, if it's "NOT ON THE APD OR CLEARLY MARKED ON THE DEFAULT/COMMON SCENERY IT'S UNLIKELY TO BE SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED."

Sorry for the caps, but I assumed you missed it the first time.

The Control Room Floor / Houston Holding Points

« on: August 04, 2010, 01:12:49 PM »

Quote from: Noah Bryant

Im strongly opposed to any SOPs that require pilots to know something that isnt freely and easily available. Just say "Contact Ground when holding short of whatever taxiway"

I get pretty annoyed when I fly at ARTCCs that require me to do things that I would only know if I went to that ARTCCs website. Sorry but it isn't realistic at all to expect pilots to go to your website before flying in your airspace.

You're right, completely unrealistic in the slightest to think a pilot would plan their flight by checking to see what information might be available from the ARTCC. After all, odds are there will be a controller handy to tell them how to set their flight up anyway...so why would they need to worry about that kinda stuff.

P.s. I am slightly mad (crazy) and take no responsibility for anything that my other personalities find amusing or witty. I also do not have a particular concern about holding points, but agree that unless it is something that is on the APD or is clearly marked in default/common scenery it's very unlikely to be successfully implemented. Even then it takes a lot of patience and consistency to have it be successful.

The Control Room Floor / Significant change to Taxi procedures coming effective 30 Jun 2010

« on: July 04, 2010, 08:59:47 AM »

It sounds like he was referring to an inactive runway...which at most airports reverts to taxiway status and hence under ground control. Local typically only own the active runways, and any other designated areas (taxiways between actives, etc).

General Discussion / How do you politely tell someone to bugger off

« on: June 28, 2010, 12:23:23 AM »

Marvin, I'm not sure who you are referring to, but please send me (via email) whatever information you have and I will definitely take care of it. Nobody should be harassing anybody, and especially if it is within our ARTCC I want to hear about it. If not I will ensure the information gets forwarded to the appropriate ARTCC/Division staff to get proper action on it. I look forward to hearing from you on this matter.

Ken

General Discussion / BOG Meeting Minutes Feedback/Update

« on: March 22, 2010, 05:25:36 PM »

Quote from: Nicholas Taylor

Point taken. It's just a shame that our BoG has to worry about that...

Agreed, it's a shame that certain members of this community have forced the BoG (and all other staff members) to have to worry about that.

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