What is better than having the entire USA staffed up on a Friday night?? Absolutely nothing! Join us as we Light Up America on May 20th. Starting at 2359z, every single ARTCC will be staffed for your enjoyment! Take full advantage of this great opportunity and depart out of the satellite towered airport you love, practice your uncontrolled IFR procedures, or even get VFR Flight Following along your favorite coastline. Choose your own adventure, or even choose multiple! We look forward to celebrating Memorial Day early with you as we Light Up America once again this year.

Applications are now being accepted for the position of Staff Development Manager for VATUSA.

Reports to: VATUSA Deputy Director of Support Services, VATUSA4
Application Deadline: May 12, 2022 23:59z

Key Responsibilities:
* Function as an interactive VATUSA staff member and attend meetings as necessary
* Work closely with VATUSA staff to enhance current practices and policies to best serve the division
* Create custom staff manuals for each ARTCC staff position
* Create a division staff manual for VATUSA staff
* Evaluate ARTCC staff performance and provide feedback when necessary
* Conduct seminars, workshops, and training sessions to further mentor and train staff members
* Complete other tasks as assigned by VATUSA4

Core Requirements:
* Active member of the network in good standing for at least 12 months
* Able to work in a team environment
* Excellent written and oral communication skills
* No significant disciplinary record or history of unprofessional behavior
* Past or current ATM/DATM experience
* Desire and commitment to improve the VATUSA division

Desired Skills and Capabilities:
* Demonstrated exceptional growth in past staff positions
* Demonstrated project management and planning skills
* Demonstrated possession and utilization of a high degree of energy, commitment and dedication
* Demonstrated qualities of understanding, patience and maturity
* Demonstrated ability to create high quality written products

To be effective, the successful candidate must devote a considerable amount of time to the position. VATUSA Staff Members must spend 9 hours minimum per calendar quarter connected to the live network in any capacity as a Pilot, Controller, Mentor, Instructor, or Supervisor. Candidates must commit to devoting the time required. Only those who fully understand and meet the requirements and will make the appropriate commitment should apply. Candidates can expect an initial evaluation of their application after which they may be contacted for a comprehensive interview.

Interested members must provide a letter of application, including full name, active email, CID, rating, and a resume that includes a description of VATSIM experience including leadership roles. Additionally, the application should detail the applicant's reasons for wanting to fill the Staff Development Manager role and how the division will thrive under the applicant's leadership.

Submit Application to: Brandon Wening, VATUSA Deputy Director of Support Services, [email protected]

Application deadline is May 12, 2022 23:59z

The VATUSA division staff structure is changing slightly to more appropriately balance responsibilities amongst the team. We have decided to not fill the General Manager position and instead share the responsibilities throughout the newly named Deputy Division Directors. This will help flatten out our Air Traffic Services hierarchy and bring the ATMs closer to the Division Director. Please see the new org chart below for more details on this restructure.

We would also like to announce the creation of a brand new ATM Advisory board. This board will meet bimonthly to discuss important topics in the division, and recommend actions to the Division Director. We are excited to continue moving forward towards a more collaborative future and improve communication between the division and ARTCC staff.

Please join me in congratulating Alexandra Robison as the new Technical Manager for VATUSA! Alexandra most recently served as the ZAB ATM, and has been a vital part in advancing the ZAB technical infrastructure for over 10 years. She not only brings real world technical experience with her, but also currently works on the VATSIM Tech Team as a Senior Developer and is a member of the VATUSA Web Team.

Formerly known as the Data Services Manager, we have renamed the position to better encompass the wide variety of technical work that lies ahead. Alexandra has plenty of great ideas that we look forward to watching come to life this year, and are confident she will lead our tech department to new heights. Congratulations Alexandra!

Get ready for a journey across the continent as VATUSA presents the 2022 edition of TRANSCON Eastbound on July 23. Find your slot, pick your aircraft, and prepare for a trip from west to east. Hundreds of slots over a three hour departure period are available for your choosing between the fields listed below. Slots are available for reservation here: https://vats.im/transcon
https://transcon.denartcc.org

Departure Fields:
KSEA
KDEN
KSFO
KLAX

Arrival Fields:
KBOS
KBDL
KDTW
KJFK
KDCA
KATL
KMCO

Midpoint Fields (both departures and arrivals):
KIAH
KDFW
KSTL


LAX, SFO, and SEA will have slots with scheduled departure times from 1530 to 2045z.
IAH, DEN, and DFW will have slots with scheduled departure times from 1715 to 2205z.
STL will have slots with scheduled departure times from 1830 to 2200z.

All slots have scheduled arrival times between 2030 and 2330z.

Applications are now being accepted for the position of Data Services Manager for VATUSA.

Reports to: VATUSA Support Manager, VATUSA4
Application Deadline: March 25, 2022 23:59z

Key Responsibilities:
* Functions as an interactive VATUSA staff member and attends meetings as necessary
* Manages and develops the VATUSA information technology platform including website, API, email server, Discord, TeamSpeak, and other services as assigned
* Maintains and develops the VATUSA server architecture
* Maintains policy manuals and documentation regarding the use of the API and other related data services
* Ensures appropriate data security procedures and policies are in place at both the VATUSA and sub-divisional level
* Commits to routinely backing up crucial VATUSA data
* Complies with data erasure requests as assigned by the Division Director or VATSIM management staff
* Manages the VATUSA web team
* Provides regular and necessary maintenance to the VATUSA information technology platform
* Guides and mentors the ARTCC Webmasters as required

Core Requirements:
* Active member of the network in good standing for at least 12 months
* Considerable experience and success in the development of web related services
* Able to effectively lead in a team environment
* Excellent written and oral communication skills
* No significant disciplinary record or history of unprofessional behavior
* Intimate knowledge of common programming languages, including PHP and JavaScript
* A basic understanding of Docker, Kubernetes, Moodle, and SMF
* Able to adapt to a constantly changing tech environment
* Knowledge of administering a MySQL database server
* Knowledge of administering an Ubuntu Linux server

Desired Skills and Capabilities:
* Demonstrated experience with ARTCC operations
* Demonstrated project management and planning skills
* Demonstrated possession and utilization of a high degree of energy, commitment and dedication
* Demonstrated qualities of understanding, patience and maturity
* Demonstrated ability to create high quality technical products

To be effective, the successful candidate must devote a considerable amount of time to the position. VATUSA Staff Members must spend 9 hours minimum per calendar quarter connected to the live network in any capacity as a Pilot, Controller, Mentor, Instructor, or Supervisor. Candidates must commit to devoting the time required. Only those who fully understand and meet the requirements and will make the appropriate commitment should apply. Candidates can expect an initial evaluation of their application after which they may be contacted for a comprehensive interview.

Interested members must provide a letter of application, including full name, active email, CID, rating, and a resume that includes a description of VATSIM experience including leadership roles. Additionally, the application should detail the applicant's reasons for wanting to lead the Data Services department, compelling evidence to show how the position requirements are met, and how the Division will thrive under the applicant's leadership. Submit links to GitHub or your portfolio of your work.

Submit Application to: Brandon Wening, VATUSA Support Manager, [email protected]

Application deadline is March 25, 2022 23:59z

The wind is ferocious, the clouds are creeping lower, and the college basketball postseason has arrived! Join VATUSA in celebrating the arrival of the hectic month of March in another Themed Friday event, March Craziness. With staffing starting at 2359z across the country, you will be able to attend your sporting events with confidence. Dust off your IFR procedures and double check your approach plates and charts are up-to-date, because the weather might just push you to your limits...