VATSIM Pilot Ratings

VATSIM PILOT RATINGS SCHEME
VATSIM P1 Ratings Awarded by the CIX VFR Club
Club Members	25	Student Members	7

Introduction	The VATSIM Pilot Ratings Scheme was introduced in 2010. The scheme has several goals: - To promote activity to train VATSIM pilots at all stages of experience using third party resources such as Cix VFR Club who are qualified and monitored by VATSIM. The list of tasks to be done to qualify for a VATSIM pilot rating are detailed by VATSIM but the Club has been allowed to build it's own methods and procedures for delivering ratings. It aims to provide pilots with recognition for having achieved demonstrated success in online flying at several levels and with a consistent worldwide standard for each rating. Although global in scope the scheme fully recognises regional and local variance from ICAO standards. The Club, being a VFR Club based in the United Kingdom will deliver its training and tests using the rules which apply in the United Kingdom. N.B. It must be emphasised that this scheme is not compulsory. many pilots will choose not to gain these ratings, and that is, and always will be, acceptable to VATSIM, as declared by the Founders in 2009.
The VATSIM Pilot Ratings	There will be five distinct ratings for all pilots: P1 VATSIM Pilot (Syllabus) P2 VATSIM VFR Pilot P3 VATSIM IFR Pilot P4 VATSIM Command Pilot (automatically awarded when pilot has both P2 and P3) P5 VATSIM Master Pilot To date, only the P1 Rating has been made available.
The P1 Rating	The P1 Rating will be awarded to members who demonstrate a reasonable knowledge of VATSIM, its Rules and Procedures, and have a basic competence in flying and working with Air Traffic Controllers online on VATSIM.
P1 Training Manual	This document allows members to self-brief on the VATSIM P1 requirements, with lists of required software, links to VATSIM and other external sources, with descriptions of the knowledge required and examples.
P1 Test Procedure	The P1 test will comprise a written test and a practical flight test. This document is a full description of the procedure adopted by the Club for conducting P1 Rating tests.
P1 Application Form	This is the Application Form to apply to take the P1 Rating tests. Completing this form enrolls the applicant as a Student Member giving them access to the written exam and Student Training Records System. It also helps the Club allocate the best Instructor for your training and flight test. NOTE: Once you submit an application you have seven days in which to complete and submit the written test otherwise your application will be cancelled and you will have to re-apply. The flight test will be arranged once you have passed the written test.
Training Calendar	This page shows the Club Training activity, both VATSIM Pilot Ratings Flight Tests and other Club training sessions. If you want to check when your test is due, or see when you might expect to get a booking, this is the page to go to.
The Student Training Records System	This is the web-based recording system for Student progress and the award of Ratings. You must be registered with the Club as a Student Member and be logged into the Club Forum before you can gain access to this system.
Feedback Form	When you have completed your P1 flight test, the Examiner will ask you to complete a brief report on your experience of the P1 Rating Test.
Students	There are two types of Student: 1) Club Members (both "Full" and "Associate" categories) who are taking the VATSIM Pilot Ratings courses, and are therefore also registered as Students in our database. Club Members have full access to the Forum. 2) Student Members who are temporary visitors to the Club in order to take the VATSIM Pilot Ratings courses with us, but who do not wish to become Club Members. Student Members have access to the Student Members sub-forum only.
Club Members	If you are already registered as a Club Member, you can simply send a Private Message on the Forum to the Training Administrator requesting enrollment on the VATSIM Pilot Ratings Scheme. He will send you the link to the appropriate Application Form (currently P1 only). He will then register you as a Student Member (this is an additional sub-category to your existing Membership category), and enrol you on a course. You will then be able to access the Student Training Record System (STRS), but you can view only your own records.
Student Members	First you must register on the forum, as explained on the Membership page "How to Join" section. If you then wish to enrol for the VATSIM Pilot Ratings courses, you will be asked to complete the appropriate Application Form, (currently P1 only). The link to this form may be found in the Student Members sub-Forum. When the Training Administrator receives the form (sent to him automatically by email), he will enrol you on a course or a test. You will then be able to access the Student Training Record System (STRS), but you can view only your own records.
Training Administrator	The Club Training Administrator is Mel Kirk. His role is the management of the training calendar, registering new student members, enrolling them on training courses and matching instructors and students according to the training required. He is also the Club Membership Secretary.
Our Instructors	Our current training team comprises four individuals. Peter Dodds: CEO and CFI since the Club's establishment and a former PPL/IMC/Night rated pilot with 500 hours and 1600hrs flight simming since 1991 including 970 hours on VATSIM. Peter gained his VATSIM P1 Pilot rating on 29th October 2010. He also has a VATSIM S2 Controller rating. A Technical Author by profession, Peter writes all the Club's Training Material. Mel Kirk: As well as being the Club's Training Administrator, Mel is a QFI able to carry out P1 Ratings Tests. Mel completed the Club's internal Single Engined Aircraft Flight Training course, and went on to gain his VATSIM P1 Rating on 22nd December 2010. He conducts basic training for new members who may be new to VATSIM, guiding them through the process of setting up the necessary software and getting the student connected on line for the first time. He also helps members set up shared cockpit mode in FSX Mark Brown: Mark is a very active Club member with a broad knowledge of aviation. He has been recruited specifically to help with the VATSIM Pilot Ratings Scheme.
The P2 Rating	This is similar to our internal Single Engine Piston flight training, and is in development by VATSIM.