Join ZKC on Jan 27th for a round from the world famous Anhueser-Busch Brewing company at St. Louis International Airport. The first round is on us so be sure to be there!

We will be staffed from 2345-0400z (5:45-10PM CDT) for your friendly service. We hope to see you there! Be on the lookout for a pilot brief closer to the event date.

I am proud to announce that Kyle Perry has filled the TA role at ZKC. Kyle brings prior training administrator and real world aviation experience along with numerous ideas to jumpstart ZKC's training program. Congratulations Kyle and welcome to the team!

Training Administrator: Kansas City ARTCC

Duties
The TA reports to the Air Traffic Manager and VATUSA Training Director, functions as a senior ARTCC
staff member and oversees/directs the operation of the training program.
● Attends periodic meetings as necessary.
● Maintains an active online presence within the ZKC ARTCC and on the VATSIM network.
● Responsible for curriculum development including courses, classes, simulation scenarios, exams and all associated media/material.
● Manages training staff/appointments providing guidance, coaching and correction where needed
● Ensures ZKC training program meets ATM goals and current VATUSA, VATSIM policies.
● Responsible for student progression / approves rating promotions.
● Helps draft changes to Training Order.
● Voting member of the Facility Advisory Board.
● Represents ZKC ARTCC and ATM to VATUSA training staff; acts accordingly.
● Quickly and accurately responds to training inquiries from students, mentors, and instructors.
● Frequently checks and responds to emails and contacts in a timely manner.
● Assumes the duties of instructor.

Requirements
The successful candidate must:
● Be a member in good standing
● Be a member of the ZKC ARTCC, or willing to transfer upon selection
● Hold a VATSIM Enroute Controller (C1) rating or higher
● Have held an I1 rating for at least 30 days at any given time
● Have an extensive knowledge of US airspace, air traffic control procedures and regulations
● Be familiar with, at all times, the current VATSIM GRP and all applicable VATUSA and VATNA policies and changes
● Maintain active status by logging minimum number of hours in accordance with ARTCC policy
● Log a minimum of 2 hours available training time per month
● Possess excellent written and oral communication skills
● Be able to work well in a team-oriented environment

Preferred Skills & Abilities
The successful candidate should:
● Possess and utilize a high degree of energy & commitment appropriate for this position.
● Understand this position requires a HIGH time commitment.
● Demonstrate qualities of understanding, patience and maturity.
● Have a working knowledge of various training software and scenario-building processes.
● Be skilled with Microsoft PowerPoint.

Priority is given to candidates who:
● Currently possess an I1 rating or higher.
● Have instructor or mentor experience on the network.
● Possess experience and certification within the ZKC ARTCC.
● Have real-world aviation experience (pilot or ATC).
● Have previous ARTCC (or higher) staff experience.
● Have real-world managerial or supervisory experience.

Application Instructions
Applications may be submitted to the Kansas City ARTCC Air Traffic Manager via email: ZKC-ATM[at]vatusa.net
Application must include:
● Full name, email address and VATSIM CID
● Resume or Letter of Intent

Applications will be received on a running basis, until the position is filled.

What to Expect
Interested candidates should be aware that this is not an entry-level position and not for the
inexperienced. The workload is considerable and should not be taken lightly. Only those who
understand the requirements and can make the appropriate commitment should consider applying. All
applications will go through an initial evaluation. Candidates who pass the evaluation will be contacted
for a comprehensive interview. The selected candidate will be submitted to the VATUSA Training
Director for final approval and may expect an additional division interview. All candidates will be
notified if/when a selection is made.

This is a fun idea... is the T2G STL new enough?  Looks like Tropicalsim has an MCI version out for P3D.

Thanks,
Dan

While T2G was designed for FSX, if you install it and add it to your scenery library using the browse function, it'll still work in P3Dv4. A pilot brief with all these details will be out sometime today.

Congratulations to Michael Bertolini for being appointed as the newest DATM at the Kansas City ARTCC. Michael is returning to ZKC after being an instructor and the events coordinator in the past. His real world aviation experience, grouped with his years on the network, make him the perfect fit for the position.

Join ZKC as we staff up Wichita, the home of Textron, which is the parent company of Cessna, Beechcraft, and Hawker. Wichita airport (ICT) is home to the Cessna Citation service center, while Beech airport (BEC) is home to the Beechcraft factory. Whether it be an airline flight into ICT, a general aviation flight, a Citation test (CITT) flight, or some practice approaches to maintain currency, we'll be ready to assist. VFR traffic is ENCOURAGED! Wichita will be staffed from 2300z-0200z.

Congrats, Rey!

While I can appreciate your frustration, just because your situation leaves you with a hole to fill, not everybody is in that position.  Entertainment is as much a tenant of VATSIM as education.  There's a balance, but if we're not having fun, we won't have people.

What good is a realism-only attitude if there's nobody left?  Strike the balance.  Promote the strength of the network -- Don't run 13 year olds away just because they aren't perfect.  Neither were any of us at that age.

One thing that is being left out is the fact that entertainment/fun comes from the realism. People who fly on the network generally fly where there is ATC. Pilots want to be immersed because it's supposed to be a simulation. The reason that FNOs get 70+ arrivals is because people want to experience top-down ATC like it is in the real world.

Regarding driving 13 year olds away because they aren't perfect: "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink." If someone really wants to learn, they will buy into the process and work towards it. Pushing a controller along just because they want the C1 next to their name at the end, doesn't do any good to pilots or the rest of the community. If someone goes through the process the right way, the individual also just got pilot training as a side effect.

The fun in training to become an air traffic controller, is the actual learning curve. The trophy at the end has no meaning if there isn't a process to go through that isn't somewhat difficult. I'll be honest, a lot of the fun for a controller diminishes after they get their C1, but you have to find things to improve at.