VATSAU

So you want to be ATC on the VATSIM network in Saudi Arabia? Welcome to the team! There might be some questions you have so take a moment to read the following FAQ, maybe one of your questions will be answered from them.

First off, what is VATSIM and ATC?

Good question! VATSIM stands for Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network. It is a network made for flight simulation software, such as Microsoft Flight Simulator or X-Plane. You can fly online on multiplayer servers which all connect to the VATSIM network and you can fly with many other enthusiasts and hobbyist at the same time. On the other end, real people provide ATC service for these pilots on the other end of the radar scope and microphone. This simulates the real thing. You do not need a Flight Simulator to be ATC either. Would you beleive it too that all of this is absolutely free? Even the training is free, and not only that, this training can be used in real world aviation. A pilot who flies for 737-800's  in the real world said "There isn't much difference between VATSIM and the real world". This is more than a video game, this is an actual hobby!

What must I do to get started?

The first thing you must need is a VATSIM VID, or an identification number. This is a unique number that will allow you to log onto the VATSIM network and log into the forums. Visit http://www.vatsim.net if you haven't done so already. You also need to have patience and knowledge of the English language. Other than that, you can begin your ATC training!

How long does it take to train?

This answer depends on how much time you are willing to put in. It of course does take some self study time and some practice to advance quicker. A mentor can train you and guide you, but the responsibility is all on you. It also depends on how far you want to proceed through the ratings at VATSIM and what kind of controller you want to be. It can take anywhere from 3 months to a year to get your C1 rating allowing you to operate any position.

What kind of ATC positions are there?

There are many different job responsibilities of different controllers. They are all categorized by either "aerodrome" or "en route". Any controller who has responsibility of the aircraft's movements on the ground is in the aerodrome category while in the air is en route responsibility. On the ground there is a Clearance Delivery, Ground, and Tower controller. A Clearance Delivery provides a departure clearance for aircraft and releases them for departure. A ground controller issues taxi clearances for aircraft to move around the aerodrome. A tower controller, everyone's favorite, gives takeoff and landing clearances. Once the aircraft is in the air, they will contact the Approach controller who will identify the aircraft with a radar and will provide them with vectors to get on their route. An ACC, or CTR, provides even a wider and fruther radar service for en route traffic. On VATSIM, a CTR controller will also provide services to any position not online in the entire nation.

What are ratings?

Ratings are given to a controller in a ranking system and limits what position they can do. There are 4 types of position ratings, Student 1 (S1), Student 2 (S2), Student 3 (S3), and Controller 1 (C1). In the Middle Eastern Division, a Controlller 3 (C3) rating is given out as an award for exceptional standings in the division. There is then Instructor ratings, I1 and I3, that is a job as a senior mentor in their FIR. Everyone starts as a Student 1 and can start controlling DEL and GND.

Do I have to speak Arabic?

No, it is not a requirement to know the Arabic language to control in Saudi Arabia. However, you must know English very well and also understand spoken English without difficulty. English is the international language of aviation. However, as in real life, there are some Arabic words you should be aware of and even use at times. The most common is the greeting phrase "Salam alaykum" and the response "Wa alaykum salam". This means "Peace be upon you" and is used in ATC transmissions in place of "good evening" or "good day". It can also be used as a goodbye greeting. Some airports in Saudi Arabia have Arabic as a primary language, but ALL airports must use English. It is rare to find a pilot speaking Arabic on initial contact on VATSIM, however if it does happen, politely ask the pilot to transmit in English.

Do I have to live in Saudi Arabia?

No, that is the greatest thing about VATSIM, you can control anywhere in the world from wherever in the world. In Saudi Arabia, we have controllers from Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, Egypt, Iceland, and more countries. We welcome all nationalities from all over the world. It is also prefered to have a variety of controllers from different time zones.

I am not Muslim, will I fit in here?

Yes, as said above we welcome all nationalities from all over the world. We have a mixed Muslim and Non-Muslim staff and controller roster. It goes without saying that Islam plays a huge important role in Saudi Arabian culture and even ATC (ex. you can hear Islamic phrases on the radios in real life as well). Those who are not familiar with Islamic culture learn from those who are Muslims because we are already binded by the common virtual aviation hobby, so everyone gets along here in our small community. However, you should be prepared to find many references to Islam and should respect it as you would anywhere in the world in real life.

I have more questions, who do I ask?

Send an email over to vatsau1(at)vatme.net, that is our FIR Chief. An FIR stands for "Flight Information Region", which is the governing airspace body around a given area, in this cause, Jeddah FIR which is Saudi Arabia. Our FIR Chief is responsible for all operations in VATSAU and can answer all your questions. His name is Andy Kiy.

So now that you have read some FAQs, let's go through a step by step process on how to get started:

1. Get a VATSIM VID Number from the main page. Visit the sign up page here and follow the instructions. It shouldn't take more than a 2 minutes at most. Check your email to validate your account and you should get a login and password. Simple.

2. Change your region and division to the Middle East Division. This is done after you sign up. Go to the Account Changes page if you were not already redirected there. Change your region to Africa and Middle East, or known as VATAME. Once you have done this, change your division to VATGULF Persian Gulf, this is an older name for the VATME Middle East Division that hasn't been updated yet in the system, however it is the same. If you are having problems, email the director of VATME Mahmoud Fadli at director(at)vatme.net for assistance.

3. Contact VATSAU to sign up for training and guidence. Send an email to the training director, Johann Iovine, at vatsau3(at)vatme.net and introduce yourself. Provide your name and VID. Make sure you send it from the email you registered your VATSIM account with. You will receive an email back within 48 hours approving your request to begin training. You will also be given a VATME ATC Academy login, TeamSpeak login, and an introduction from your mentor welcoming you to VATSAU.

4. Study the Student 1 guide in the meantime while you are waiting for your mentor to respond to you. This will save a lot of training time if you read the guide before your mentor and you have your first session. This guide can be found here in PDF format.

5. Have your first session with your mentor. Your mentor should have contacted you by now and will coordinate a time and date to have a training session at your major or study airport, either Jeddah, Medina, or Riyadh.

6. Have fun and welcome aboard the VATSAU Controller Team! By this time if you have any questions on what to do further or proceed to the next step, your mentor will be able to help you and guide you. If you have any questions at all, contact the VATSAU Staff team. Browse around the website too to learn more about the airspace! And as already stated, have fun! :)