Miami ARTCC Voice Policy

The Voice Endorsement Process

Voice controlling requires a skill set different from text controlling. Controllers do not have the ability to scroll back to see missed requests, or to refresh memories on instructions already given. Voice controllers can not use aliases to expedite their ability to provide prompt ATC. Proper phraseology also becomes more important while controlling by voice. In addition, controllers may have to deal with a mixture of voice and text, and this can be challenging.  To effectively control using voice, a controller should have some experience, and enough general ATC knowledge of the basic aspects of ATC.

Controllers who are assigned to the Miami ARTCC may provide service using Voice after they have been issued a Voice Endorsement. Except as described below in the section Training for Voice, any controller who is found providing ATC without a Voice Endorsement may be removed from the roster of the ARTCC. The VATUSA web site provides a list of all controllers who have been issued a Voice Endorsement. Also, those controllers assigned to Miami ARTCC and who are permitted to provice voice ATC without the supervision of an Instructor have a V in their list of certified positions found on our Roster page.

The process for obtaining a Voice Endorsement begins at the S-3 level. Those student controllers who have met all requirements and have been promoted to the level of Senior Student, may begin working with an Instructor or Mentor to obtain a Voice Endorsement.

Training for Voice

Students may begin training for the use of voice after they have passed the Miami Tower exam. In all cases, the following restrictions or exceptions shall apply:   

• When an Instructor or Mentor is online and providing voice training to a student, the Instructor or Mentor will use _VM_ in their callsign to identify themselves as providing voice training.
• When a student controller is online and receiving training for voice, the student controller will use _VS_ in their callsign to identify themselves as a controller receiving voice training.
• During periods when the student controller is receiving voice training, the Instructor or Mentor must be online and staffing the same position as the student. For example, the Instructor must staff the position MIA_VM_TWR if the student is staffing MIA_VS_TWR.
• Under no circumstance may the Instructor or Mentor staff a different position than the student receiving voice training. For example, the Instructor may not staff MIA_V_CTR while the student is staffing MIA_VS_TWR.
• The student and Instructor/Mentor will use the same ATC frequency and be logged into the same voice room on the same voice server.

Once the Instructor or Mentor is satisfied that the student is capable of providing ATC service using voice, the Instructor/Mentor shall assign the VATUSA Voice exam. When the student receives a passing score on the Voice exam, a Voice Endorsement will be issued.

Temporary Voice Endorsement

Student controllers at the S-1 level may be eligible for a Temporary Voice Endorsement under the following conditions:

• The S-1 controller has scored 90% or higher on both the Miami Delivery/Ground exam and the Miami Tower exam. Those S-1 controllers who were certified for GND or TWR prior to the implementation of Miami position tests must go back and take the Miami exams in order to qualify for a Temporary Voice Endorsement.
• A student who has passed either the Miami DEL/GND or Miami TWR exam with a passing score below 90% may not retake that exam to achieve a score over 90%.
• The S-1 controller has had at least 2 sessions with an Instructor/Mentor as described above under Training for Voice.
• The S-1 controller has taken and passed the VATUSA Voice exam with a score of 80% or higher.
• The Instructor/Mentor feels certain that the use of voice ATC will not compromise the quality of service provided by the S-1 controller, and that the use of voice will further enhance the training of the S-1 controller.

If the S-1 controller meets all of these requirements, the Facility Chief will issue a Temporary Voice Endorsement. The following restrictions will apply:

• The Temporary Voice Endorsment will only apply within the Miami ARTCC and will not be valid for use in any other sector.
• The Temporary Voice Endorsement will expire 60 days from the date of issue. If the Temporary Voice Endorsement expires, the S-1 controller will not be permitted to provide voice ATC until promotion to Senior Student.
• The Temporary Voice Endorsement allows the S-1 controller to provide voice ATC unsupervised; an Instructor or Mentor need not be online.
• An S-1 controller with a Temporary Voice Endorsment may only staff DEL, GND or TWR using the _V_ designator as a part of their callsign.
• The Temporary Voice Endorsement shall become permanent when the S-1 controller is promoted to S-3.
• The Facility Chief reserves the right to withdraw the Temporary Voice Endorsement for cause.

NOTE: A Temporary Voice Endorsement is a recognition of a Student controller with an exceptional ability to grasp the concepts of Air Traffic Control. It is not an entitlement, it is a "special privilege." If you want to be considered for this special privilege, then earn it by scoring 90% or higher on the exams.

Restricted Voice-Use Waivers

A student controller, regardless of ATC rating, may be issued a Voice-Use Waiver which will allow the student controller to provide Voice ATC under the following conditions:

• Both the Facility Chief and the Chief Instructor must agree that the student has shown an exemplary ability to provide ATC service using text at a position or positions for which he has already been certified.
• The student may be required to take and pass the VATUSA Voice exam and an Over-The-Shoulder evaluation conducted by either the Facility Chief or the Chief Instructor.
• The waiver will allow the student to provide ATC service only at the position or positions specified in the waiver, and only during certain times and under specified conditions.
• The waiver will not be valid outside of Miami ARTCC airspace.
• Valid Voice-Use Waivers will be published on the Policy page of this web site.
• Waivers may be issued for specific events in order to facilitate the ATC service provided by the student.

All questions regarding the use of Voice within Miami ARTCC should be directed to the Facility Chief.

Voice Policy approved by
Roger Curtiss, Director of ARTCC Operations
VATUSA5
June 20, 2005