Miami ARTCC Policies

General

ATC communications on Controller's ATC frequency or voice channel shall be exclusively in the English language. The use of proper real-world phraseology as described in FAA 7110.65 is required.

When multiple positions are unoccupied, controllers are encouraged, but not required, to occupy the ATC position that makes them most available to pilots. In decreasing order of preference, these positions are CTR, APP/DEP, TWR, GND, and DEL. For example, when both CTR and APP are unoccupied, it is encouraged that a controller assume the CTR position.  However, in no event shall controllers assume positions for which they are not locally certified, nor should controllers ever feel obliged to man a position that they feel may become too busy for them to handle alone.

In accordance with VATSIM policy stated in the Code of Conduct (Controller Conduct, Item 5), positions are occupied on a "first come" basis. Before taking an ATC position, a controller should determine if any positions are occupied and coordinate with the controllers already online; specifically with regard to aircraft that will be handed-off to the controller logging on. There may be times when aircraft should remain with the controller that has been handling them. This is particularly the case with aircraft in the final stages of an approach, aircraft taking off, and aircraft begining to taxi.  

This can be an extremely engaging hobby.  However, to assure fairness of opportunity to man positions for all, and to encourage a balanced and positive approach to the process, all controllers are strongly discouraged from spending more than 30 hours per month providing virtual ATC services here.  Controllers who consistently monopolize positions may be asked to limit their activity to make room for others.  

Position Restrictions and Policies

Except as outlined below under "Visiting and Guest Controllers" ATC positions within the Miami ARTCC may be occupied only by VATUSA controllers who are members of the VATSIM Miami ARTCC and who are listed on the current roster.  New controllers and transfer controllers must successfully complete the Miami ARTCC Basic and SOP exam with a passing score of 80% or better. New student controllers and transfer controllers may not staff an ATC position until they have taken this exam. After passing the Basic and SOP exam, new controllers are encouraged to observe until they have had an introductory session with an Instructor or Mentor. See the Requirement for New Controllers below.

The following restrictions and testing procedures will be required:  

Temporary exceptions to published position restrictions may be made for ZMA members who are actively engaged in training. Such temporary exceptions may be granted by the Chief or Chief Instructor and may be modified thereafter.  The Chief or Chief Instructor may issue additional position restrictions to individuals on a case-by-case basis.

Voice

A complete explanation of the Miami ARTCC Policy on the use of voice by controllers can be found here.

Special Restrictions/Endorsements

Jonathan Mulchan - Voice-Use Waiver. Click here for details

 

Ric Ruminski- Temporary Position Endorsement. Click here for details

Peter Blocki- Temporary Position Endorsement. Click here for details

 

Ahmed Jorge- Position Restriction. Click here for details

 

 

 

 

Temporary Voice Endorsement
Issued
Expires

 

Military Controller Privileges Approved
Chris Zedalis 812083 C3 ZMA
Todd Cox 814690 Admin ZJX

 

Requirement for New Controllers

All controllers who join Miami ARTCC and all Visiting Controllers shall be required to demonstrate their sincere interest in membership during a 14-day probationary period. During the first 14 days after receiving a standard notice from a member of the Administrative Staff that the controller has been added to the Miami ARTCC roster or approved for Visiting Controller privileges, the new controller must log at least one (1) hour online at an active control position; normally Clearance Delivery. A failure to meet this requirement will result in removal of the controller from the Miami ARTCC roster without further notification. After the 14-day probationary period, the new controller and approved Visiting Controllers must remain active in accordance with the currency requirement stated below.

 

Controller Status and Currency Requirement

Active ZMA members and approved Visiting Controllers are VATSIM controllers in good standing who have provided ATC services at ZMA within the previous 3 months for at least 2 hours and whose current email address is reflected in our membership records. Email address maintenance is done through the VATUSA or VATSIM web pages. Members who become inactive may be removed from the Miami ARTCC roster without notification as our records are maintained at periodic intervals.  This applies equally to Miami controllers and Visiting controllers. 

Quality Control / Removal

Controllers who are observed to be repeatedly providing substandard service to pilots or violating ARTCC policies will be asked in writing to participate in additional training to correct any deficiencies.  Failure to participate in this training or continued failure to change substandard practices may result in additional restrictions or removal from the ARTCC.  In addition, controllers who violate any VATSIM Miami ARTCC, VATUSA or VATSIM policy, or whose behavior is disruptive to the operation of the sector, or who are insubordinate to any Miami Instructor, Staff or Mentor will be notified in writing and asked to modify their behavior.  Additional occurrences of similar behavior will result in further restrictions or removal. 

Visiting Controller Policies

Visiting Controllers are VATSIM Controllers in good standing who are not assigned to ZMA.  After approval by the ZMA Chief, Visiting Controllers are welcome to provide ATC services at ZMA according to the following provisions:

a)    The Visiting Controller has applied for privileges by sending an email to the ZMA Chief to include Full Name, CID, and VATSIM Controller rating.

b)    The Visiting Controller has become thoroughly familiar with operating procedures, traffic flow, and other pertinent information required by all controllers staffing a position within Miami ARTCC. The Visiting Controller may be required to demonstrate this knowledge by online or offline testing.  The same positions restrictions that apply to regular members as outlined above will apply to Visiting Controllers.

c)    Once approved, the Visiting Controller is subject to all of the same Operating Agreements and Procedures that apply to regular members, including the Currency requirement stated above. Those Visiting Controllers that fail to provide ATC within Miami ARTCC for a total of 2 hours during any 3 month period will have all Visiting Controller privileges revoked.

d)    All Visiting Controllers are required to provide ATC in English

e)    Visiting Controllers will advise the ZMA Facility Chief of any transfer of ARTCC/FIR assignment or of VATSIM Division.

Visiting Controller Privileges Approved
Lezam, Elliot
895373
 S-1 ZNY
Salamanca, Alberto
810743
 SUP VATSAM

 

Temporary Guest Controllers

Controllers of any ATC rating may request a Temporary Guest Controller Pass so that they may evaluate Miami ARTCC for the purpose of transferring from another ARTCC. The Temporary Guest Controller Pass will have an expiration date and may include position restrictions comensurate with the applicant's current ATC rating. Please contact the Facility Chief for more information.

Transfer Policy

VATUSA controllers wishing to transfer to Miami should send an application to the ZMA Chief to include Full Name, CID, VATSIM Controller rating, assigned VATSIM ARTCC, and voice endorsement status.  All such applications will be considered on a case by case basis.  Transfers may be denied based on the applicants previous transfer history, any record of prior policy violations, or other cause as determined by the Miami Facility Chief. Controllers transferring in will be expected to demonstrate their knowledge of the Miami airspace and of local and general ATC procedures and can expect to be assigned restrictions commensurate with their ability level. Each transfer candidate will be required to take and pass the ZMA Basic and SOP exam prior to transfer approval. Once approved, controllers may take the ZMA position tests which are commensurate with their current VATUSA controller rating.

Controllers from other Divisions of VATSIM must transfer to VATUSA first by contacting the Regional Director. Transferees in this category will be expected to demonstate a standard equal to the local requirements for their current ATC rating, level, or endorsement, and may be required to demonstrate this competence by taking and passing the VATUSA examinations and local ZMA Position tests associated with their current ATC rating as outlined above. Controllers can expect to be assigned restrictions commensurate with their demonstrated ability level.

Mentor Program

Controllers holding a rating of "Controller" and higher who are also certified to staff MIA_CTR may be asked by the Chief and/or Chief Instructor to become Mentors.  Mentors act as instructors with Students and will be required to spend no less than an average of 5 hours per month teaching on-line.  When available for teaching they should log in with a _VM_ callsign such as MIA_VM_CTR.  After e-mail notification individuals may be removed from the mentor program by the Chief or Chief Instructor should they fail to participate in or respond to instruction to correct any deficiencies in their teaching methods. 

Mentors:

Camilo Bernal

Willem Bousema
Marc Glorioso

Miami Oceanic Airspace

With the intention of bridging the gap between the original borders of Miami ARTCC and those of several VATCAR sectors, Miami ARTCC expanded the the limits of our airspace in August of 2004 to include the airspace known as “Miami Oceanic”. This action increased the size of Miami ARTCC to cover the same airspace served by the real Miami ARTCC. The expansion moved the boundary to the Southeast approximately 600 miles. Miami ARTCC airspace now looks like this:

The white border depicts the ARTCC boundary. The area to the North and West of the blue line is the area controlled by Miami Center, while the area to the South and East of the blue line is the area controlled by Miami Oceanic with the exception of the area belonging to Nassau Center. Nassau Center airspace exists to the East of the blue line and West of the red line from the Surface to FL180. Miami Oceanic airspace overlies Nassau Center airspace from FL180 to FL600.

The airspace within Miami Oceanic is classified as Class E airspace from 700' MSL to FL180 and Class A above FL180.

Only those members of Miami ARTCC who possess a C-1 rating or higher and have passed a ZMA exam demonstrating they have knowledge of the airspace and the surrounding facilities of San Juan Oceanic, Port Au Prince FIR, Santo Domingo FIR, Havana FIR and New York Oceanic, and have received approval from the Facility Chief or Chief Instructor may staff Miami Oceanic airspace. A controller staffing Miami Oceanic does not provide ATC service for Miami Center, and a controller staffing Miami Center does not provide service for Miami Oceanic.

Miami Oceanic Controllers
Charles Rizzi 810637 I-3  
Michael McClelland 810907 I-1  
Ramon McIntosh 813157 I-1  
Marc Glorioso 810788 C-3  
Francisco Vargas 876808 I-1  
Trevor Bigwood 840050 C-3  
Camilo Bernal 893284 C-1  
Willem Bousema 914726 C-1  

 

Policies approved by:
Roger Curtiss, VATUSA Director for ARTCC Operations
VATUSA5
October, 2005