in other places such as the 7110.65 for answers to the exam questions as well
My issue with utilizing the 7110.65 for answering questions is most of the tests are outdated to the point where I was bit in the butt by following the 7110.65 (albeit it was notated in the VATUSA training, but I was treating it as the 7110.65 was more accurate, therefore it was right).
The question was in reference to separation requirements at the final approach/tower level behind a B757. At the time the 7110.65 had been updated for about a year regarding the wake turbulence classifications of a 757 from a heavy to a large aircraft reducing the separation requirements by 1nm. Because I answered it based off of real-world procedures DIRECTLY from the 7110.65 I ended up getting the wrong answer. At that point I began treating all tests as being based on how VATSIM itself operates.
95% of the time VATSIM (at least VATUSA specifically) treats the approach (s3) rating as controlling both approach AND departure. The question is specific to what you would see REAL WORLD based on the 7110.65 -- however due to past experience (again) I treat it as a per-Vatsim/VATUSA training. I am a mentor and plan to work towards becoming an Instructor. As both we train our students on departure and approach procedures, and how to manage traffic levels whilst working both positions simultaneously as the APPROACH controller. You do not train it or treat it as an Approach OR Departure while in training, and save a few small examples (NY I think?) every ARTCC treats it as one position outside of events.
The holding question's answer is wrong as per the VATUSA training material itself. All 3 examples given on how to properly communicate with aircraft who are receiving a hold clearance do NOT include turns, and only 1 of 3
UNPUBLISHED examples included legs.
Pulled directly from the training material:
http://www.vatusa.net/training/tiki-index....page=S3_Holding"The standard hold is one that consists of right hand turns and 1 minute legs" - This directly implies that you do not have to state the direction of turns and that the pilot should assume the standard.
"Direction of holding pattern turns only if left turns are to be made, the pilot requests it, or you consider it necessary." <-- Again same thing
[!--quoteo--][div class=\\\'quotetop\\\']QUOTE [/div][div class=\\\'quotemain\\\'][!--quotec--]Examples
"American 113, Cleared to Ocala VORTAC. Hold North on the 360 Radial. Expect further clearance 1020z"
"Skyhawk N5204N, Cleared to Little Rock. Hold South on the 180 radial, 5 Mile Fix, Expect further clearance at 0200z"
"Learjet N7845Q, Cleared to Ardmore. Hold West on the V161 airway. Expect further clearance at 2325z"[/quote]
Albeit you could argue that the correct answer is the one that isn't mentioned at all in the training material, but the question remains vague and should be clarified further to state what it means, rather than what you should infer. With that in mind, both answers are "technically" correct.
As for the second question, if something is uncharted, is it not non-standard? A SID and a STAR are both standard procedures which are charted. Therefore, again, I would think uncharted and non-standard are one in the same, again making my answer choice pretty obvious.
The example I feel doesn't relate to the issue here. There is a complete difference, as per VATUSA training documents, between a PUBLISHED, NON-PUBLISHED, and NON STANDARD holding procedure and the clearances required for all 3. If not specifically stated, expect right turns and 1 minute legs. If on the Mountain6 Departure out of KSEA,lost coms procedures state you to proceed direct SEA VOR then on course. Not a very good example but better than your "procedure vs no procedure"
On topic with this there are a few questions that aren't even located within the training material for all of the exams from Tower on up (at least 1 on each). The thing that I want to request is tests should follow what is available on the VATUSA training material, rather than assuming you would follow the 7110.65 for some material but be wrong on others. There needs to be a very definitive line -- you either follow the VATUSA training material and nothing but that, or you follow the 7110.65. The best alternative is to keep the training documents updated as per the 7110.65 so we can reference it as needed, but is also located within the training center itself. Why would I EVER tell one of my students to reference the 7110.65 for some procedures, but ignore it for others because VATUSA isn't following it?
