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Training Department
How to become an Air Traffic Controller
Follow the official Hellenic vACC ATC training progression roadmap, from your initial application to theoretical training, mentoring, practical sessions, and final certification.
Σημαντική Ανακοίνωση / Important NoticeGR Πριν υποβάλετε αίτηση εκπαίδευσης ή στείλετε οποιαδήποτε ερώτηση στην ομάδα του Training, είναι υποχρεωτικό να διαβάσετε προσεκτικά το επίσημο εγχειρίδιο Training Policy. Σας ζητάμε να αντιμετωπίζετε με σεβασμό την διαδικασία της εκπαίδευσης και να θυμάστε ότι οι μέντορες και το προσωπικό του Hellenic vACC αφιερώνουν εθελοντικά τον προσωπικό τους χρόνο για την υποστήριξη της κοινότητας.
Παρακαλούμε να μην επικοινωνείτε με μέλη του staff μέσω email ή προσωπικών μηνυμάτων για να ρωτήσετε πότε θα ξεκινήσει η εκπαίδευσή σας. Τα αιτήματα εκπαίδευσης διαχειρίζονται αποκλειστικά μέσω του επίσημου συστήματος εκπαίδευσης και το staff θα επικοινωνήσει μαζί σας όταν υπάρξει νεότερη ενημέρωση.:EN Before submitting a training application or contacting the Training Staff, you are strictly required to thoroughly read the official Training Policy. We ask that you treat the training process with respect and remember that the mentors and staff of Hellenic vACC voluntarily dedicate their personal time to supporting the community.
Please do not contact staff members by email or direct message to ask when your training will begin. Training requests are processed through the official training system, and staff will contact you when there is an update.Training Progression Roadmap
Overview of the main stages from application to certification.
01Requesting Training
Submit your official training request through the HvACC Control Center and enter the training queue.
02Theory & Exams
Complete the required theoretical training and e-learning exams through the Moodle platform.
03Mentor Assignment
After the required theory stage, an instructor is assigned and you coordinate your first sessions.
04Live Preparation
Training continues through simulator sessions and, when ready, supervised live network operations.
05Endorsements & CPT
Complete endorsements, solo validation where applicable, and final controller practical tests.
Detailed Training Phases
Important requirements and expectations for each stage.
Requesting Training & Queue Entry
Your entry point begins at the HvACC Control Center. New candidates must officially submit a training request for the Student 1 (S1) rating.
- Processing: The system validates your application and sends a confirmation email to your VATSIM address.
- Queue Status: Your request status is updated to In queue. Waiting times depend on active mentor availability and divisional demand.
- Interest Check: You will receive a monthly verification email. You must respond within 2 weeks to confirm your ongoing interest. If no response is submitted within the given timeframe, your training request may close automatically. No exceptions can be made if the interest check is not completed on time.
Theoretical Training & E-Learning Exams
Once a mentor is about to become available, your application status will change to Pre-training. You will be enrolled in the HvACC Moodle Platform to start the self-study phase of your training.
- Deadlines: You must respond to the theoretical training notification within 30 days, or your application may close.
- Passing Metric: All automated theory exams require a minimum passing score of 80%.
- Cool-down Rule: You have a maximum of 2 attempts per exam. If an attempt is failed, mandatory waiting intervals apply before re-sitting: 1 week for S1, 2 weeks for S2, and 4 weeks for S3 courses.
Mentor Assignment & Communication
After you complete your initial theory exams through Moodle, the Control Center will assign a mentor to your profile. Please note that completion of the Moodle exams does not guarantee immediate mentor assignment. Mentor allocation depends on availability and may take some time.
- Contact Timeline: An email notification containing your mentor information will be issued. You must initiate contact with your assigned mentor within 5 days, otherwise your training file may be terminated.
- Coordination: Students coordinate directly with their mentor to manage weekly bookings and training availability.
Practical Training Sessions
Once your opening practical session is coordinated on the calendar, your application status shifts to Active training. At this time, you need to set up the necessary software using the manuals on HvACC Wiki.
- Pacing: Standard progression is limited to one practical session per week, unless authorized otherwise by the Training Director.
- Sweatbox Environment: Initial training uses the standalone Sweatbox simulator environment.
- Live Transition: Trainees transition to the live VATSIM network only once safe operational capability is certified by the instructor.
- Absence Rule: If you cannot commit to sessions for more than 2 consecutive weeks, you must notify your mentor to review, together with the Training Department, a pause on your application.
Endorsements & Controller Practical Tests
Concluding your training track requirements moves your application towards final checkout endorsements and, where applicable, Controller Practical Tests.
- S1 Students: Receive a targeted training endorsement authorizing independent operations on Delivery and Ground stations.
- S2+ Students: Instructors may issue a temporary Solo Endorsement lasting 1 month, extendable to a maximum of 2 months under approval from Training Director.
- CPT: Before final rating upgrades are authorized on the network, you must pass a live Controller Practical Test demonstrating safe and efficient traffic management under supervision. Applicable to S2+ ratings.
Open Control CenterNeed to check your status?
Please use the official Control Center and monitor your VATSIM-registered email address for training updates.