1. Purpose
      The Turkish Virtual Area Control Center (hereafter referred as TRvACC) is a part of VATUED and in turn VATSIM. The aim is to provide and facilitate the controlling of the simulated online environment within the Republic of Turkey with an exceptional degree of realism. TRvACC is responsible for the training of Virtual Air Traffic Controllers and the staffing of ATC positions, along with the safe operation of the Virtual airspace designated as Ankara Flight Information Region LTAA FIR and LTBB Istanbul flight Information Region. The rules and regulations as determined by VATSIM are included within the Code of Conduct and Code of Regulations and apply to ALL TRvACC Members.

      Membership

      2.1 Commencement of Membership
      A VATSIM member that would like to become part of TRvACC as a Controller must first request assignment to TRvACC through members.vateud.net then complete the membership form, which is provided on the TRvACC website. All information included must be correct and complete. A valid (NON SUSPENDED) VATSIM membership is required to become a member of TRvACC.
      The member’s application will be considered to be accepted once approved by the Membership Director and the vACC Director (by the Deputy Director in the absence of the Director). If an application is denied, detailed information of the reasons for the refusal of membership will be e-mailed to the applicant.

      2.2 Termination of Membership
      The termination of TRvACC membership is an exception. Membership termination will take place if a member has violated the vACC rules on more than one occasion. Membership will be automatically terminated if the member’s VATSIM certificate has been permanently suspended. Should a member constantly and intentionally violate TRvACC rules, the matter will be referred to VATEUD Divisional Director for further investigation. The decision that is made at a Divisional level will be FINAL.

      2.3 Inactive Membership
      TRvACC member controllers are required to be on line for a minimum of 10 hours within a 90 day period. If the member fails to be online for the minimum required time, their status will be set to INACTIVE by the Membership Department. The controller will need to inform the Membership Department that he/she will commence controlling again and once the refreshment period for the relevant rating is met, the INACTIVE status will be removed. An INACTIVE controller needs to go through a orientation training with a mentor before starting to control any aerodome within the Turkish Airspace. INACTIVE controllers will not be able to control during events.
      If a member’s status remains INACTIVE for a period of 12 months, their forum and discord access will be downgraded to that of “verified member” with the associated privileges.
      INACTIVE Members will not have the right to vote.

      2.4 Right and Obligations of a Member
      Every TRvACC member has the right to use the facilities of TRvACC within the rules set forward by TRvACC, VATEUD and VATSIM.
      Good citizenship and conduct is expected of all TRvACC members. As all facilities of TRvACC are governed by the VATSIM Code of Conduct and Code of Regulations; all members are expected to abide and comply with the rules and regulations as set out in these documents. By using any TRvACC service or facility, all members agree to the rules set forward by VATSIM CoC and CoR.
      A member’s right to staff any ATC position in the Turkish Airspace is subject to the VATSIM Global Rating Policy (GRP2) and the local rules of VATEUD and TRvACC.
      A member violating rules and regulations of TRvACC, including abusing other members, distrupting TRvACC operations, may have his/her access to TRvACC Discord temporarily revoked. The revocations can be as follows depending on the violation and history of the violations can be as temporary time outs or removal from the TRvACC Discord server 

      2.5 Visiting Members
      Visiting Members are VATSIM members that are from a vACC other than TRvACC. Any member from another vACC, with a minimumum rating of C1 may request visiting member status within TRvACC, and will need to send a request by e-mail to the Membership Department. A committee will decide if the request is appropriate, and the member will be informed accordingly. Once a member is approved as a visiting member, he/she will undergo an orientation course with particular emphasis on local TRvACC procedures. Visiting Members that fail to comply with these stipulations will not be eligible to control any facility within Turkish Airspace.
      Visiting members will be granted access to the TRvACC forum and all facilities so as to afford him/her the ability to control in Turkish Airspace.
      Visiting members are obliged to familiarize themselves with the rules set forward at section 2.2. Minimum controlling time of a visiting ATC is ten (10) hours in a six (6) month period. If this requirement is not met, the visiting status, Discord rights and forum rights will be terminated.
      Visiting members that breach the rules of TRvACC, VATEUD or VATSIM will have their visiting member status revoked.
      Visiting members are not eligible to vote on any matters pertaining to TRvACC.
      Visiting members can control any station in LTBB FIR.

      3. TRvACC Organization

      3.1 TRvACC Director (ACCTR1)
      The TRvACC Director (ACCTR1) is the leader of the team that runs the vACC and maintains the smooth operation of the Virtual airspace. The Director represents TRvACC internally and externally within VATEUD, VATSIM and in the real world.
      The TRvACC director is elected by vACC member ATC votes or appointed by VATEUD. During the voting process members can call for an election supervisor. This person will be a neutral staff member from VATEUD
      The TRvACC Director needs to hold a minimum C1 rating to be eligible to run for office and must be approved by VATEUD1
      The outgoing director will inform VATEUD Director of his resignation. If an election will be held the above mentioned steps for holding an election will be enforced. If a director will be appointed by VATEUD this will be announced by VATEUD Director. The outgoing vACC director will remain in Office until the new director is elected or appointed

 

Upcoming elections must be announced and be open for a minimum of 30 days. All polling will take place on the TRvACC Forum and this poll must be visible to all forum members, but only those members eligible to cast votes will be allowed access to the poll.
The TRvACC Technical and Membership departments are obliged to maintain and organize the necessary forum access levels.
Should elections be overseen by an election supervisor, the results are final and cannot be subject to appeal by any member. The only organisation that may appeal or cancel is the respective organizations within VATSIM (VATEUD or VATGOV)
The candidate that obtains the majority number of votes will be deemed to be the Director elect for TRvACC
Elections will be held every 2 years or if an election is voted on by at least 50% of the members or if the Director’s position becomes vacant for whatever reason.
Active ATC members have the right to vote for the director.

3.2 Staff
The TRvACC staff is the team of people that run the vACC under the direction of the vACC Director. The staff is comprised of the following positions:
TRvACC Director (ACCTR1)
a) Deputy Director (ACCTR2)
b) ATC Training Director (ACCTR3)
– Deputy ATC Training Director

– ATC Training Manager
– Examiners
– Mentors
– Mentors in Training

  1. c) Membership Director (ACCTR4)
  2. d) Public Relations and Events Director (ACCTR5)
  3. e) Air Traffic and Navigation Director (ACCTR6)
  4. f) Technical Director (ACCTR7)

– Technical Manager

– Technical Staff Members

  1. g) Operations Director (ACCTR8)

    h) Pilot Training Director* (ACCTR9)
    – Pilot Training Instructors
    – Examiners

Each staff member holds a single vote even if they hold multiple staff positions.
Each staff members can appoint their Deputy Directors or Managers to assist with tasks as set forward by the vACC Director. The appointment of Deputies is subject to the approval of the TRvACC Director.

a) Deputy Director (ACCTR2)
The Deputy Director is responsible for assisting the TRvACC Director with his/her tasks and to assume the Director’s roles and responsibilities in his/her absence.
b) ATC Training Director (ACCTR3)
The Training Director is responsible for the development of the TRvACC ATC Training Department, which includes the appointment and management of mentors and examiners. The Training Director and the Deputy ATC Training Director must hold a minimum of a C1 rating. The ATC Training Director must be encouraged to train and enroll for an Instructor (INS) rating. In addition, the ATC Training Director must be fluent in English
Mentors need to hold a minimum S3 rating. The ATC Training Director can also appoint members with S2 ratings into the mentor training program. Members in the mentor training program will be appointed as fully fledged mentors upon being awarded a S3 rating. Whilst being part of the mentor training program, candidate mentors are eligible to conduct ATC training for Ground controllers under the supervision of the ATC Training Director, Deputy ATC Training Director or an accredited mentor.

c) Membership Director (ACCTR4)
The Membership Director is the staff member responsible for the welfare of vACC members. These duties will include:
• monitoring member online activity,
• coordinate the flow of new members,
• recruitment of new members
• assist with the processing of requests for ATC and Pilot training

The Membership Director does need to hold an ATC rating but is this would be considered to be advantageous. The Membership Director must have good communication skills.

  1. d) Events and Public Relations Director (ACCTR5)
    The PR and Events Director is responsible for the marketing of the TRvACC. He/she maintains the TRvACC social media accounts and represents TRvACC in relative forums. The PR and Events director is also responsible for the coordination of activities and the maintenance of good relations between Virtual Airlines and TRvACC.
    The PR and Events Director creates events in the vACC and keeps close contact with the neighboring vACC’s. The PR and Events Director needs to have good communication skills as well as being proficient at applications such as Photoshop for the creation of advertising flyers.
    The PR and Events Director does not need to hold an ATC rating however this would be considered advantageous. The PR and Events Director may appoint an assistant to aid him/her in the tasks set forward.

  2. e) Air Traffic and Operations Director (ACCTR6)
    The Air Traffic and Navigation Director is the staff member responsible for keeping the routes provided on the TRvACC website up to date. He/she is also responsible for keeping track of the NOTAMS that are broadcast in real life and putting into effect those NOTAMS that are applicable to VATSIM. The Air Traffic and Navigation Director should hold a minimum of S3 rating and be fluent in English. He/she should also work closely with the PR and Events Director with regard to the creation of events, particularly making sure correct routing is provided.
  3. f) Web Services Director (ACCTR7)
    The Technical Director is responsible for the reliable operation of TRvACC facilities, mainly the website and forums. The Technical Director does not need to hold an ATC rating. The Technical Director needs to have superb skills in web development and IT issues. The Technical Director may appoint an Assistant Technical Director to aid him/her in the operation of the vACC facilities.
  1. g) Pilot Training Director* (ACCTRxxx)
    The Pilot Training Director responsible for the development of the Pilot Training Department of TRvACC. The Pilot Training Director needs to hold a minimum of S3 rating and at least 1000 hours of flight time on VATSIM. The Pilot Training Director can appoint the necessary instructors and examiners for the instruction and examination of the pilots that enroll. He/she may also appoint a Deputy Pilot Training Director to aid in the completion of the task set forward by the TRvACC Director or Deputy Director. The Pilot Training Director needs to be fluent in English. The Pilot Training Director is obliged to obey the rules and regulations as set out in the VATSIM ATO handbook.

    vACC Structure

    4.1 Structure and Organization
    TRvACC is comprised of 2 Flight Information Regions (FIR). These are LTAA Ankara and LTBB Istanbul FIR’s . These FIR’s are split into sectors. The TRvACC is managed as a whole and there are no FIR chiefs or managers.

4.2 Major Aerodrome

The major aerodrome is the airport with the most traffic within a certain airspace. The Major Aerodrome is governed by the VATSIM GLOBAL RATING POLICY. The Major Aerodrome in Turkish Airspace is LTFM – Istanbul Airport. This aerodrome requires special training and a major endorsement to control. The Major Edorsement is given by a practical test that is conducted at the major aerodrome. The vACC Director or vACC Deputy Director are required to be present during the major endorsement practical test.

  1. ATC Training

As per the VATSIM GRP, ATC ratings are as follows:

OBS – not eligible to control

S1 – Tower Trainee

This rating does not cover any particular competencies. A member can use this rating to control no higher than Tower (TWR) subject to local restrictions. He/she will need to aquire the Major Aerodrome Validation that is stated in Article 4.2

S2- Tower Controller

This rating includes all airport DEL, GND and TWR control services, except at a tower that provides procedural approach services. This rating also needs to obtain Major Aerodrome Validation in order to control LTFM – Istanbul Airport as stated in Article 4.2 of this policy.

S3 – TMA Controller

This rating includes APP and DEP control services associated with a particular airport/area. This rating also needs to obtain Major Aerodrome Validation in order to control LTFM – Istanbul Airport as stated in Article 4.2 of this policy.

 C1- Enroute Controller

This rating is for all Enroute CTR sectors; both radar and non-radar control services.

5.1 ATC Training

All members with a home controller role or eligible to receive atc training throughout their virtual ATC Careers in Turkish vACC. Vistings Controllers are eligible to receive orientation training only. Turkish vACC is not responsible for the full training of visitng controllers. Such applications will not be accepted. Each rating needs to accumulate a certain amount of hours in order to be eligible for major aerodrome validation and to be eligible to advance to the next rating.

5.1.1 Required Hours – Training

The hours and event attendance conditions that a controller needs to accumulate in order to be eligible for a major aerodrome validation and to be eligible to advance to the next rating are as follows.

Requirements  For LTFM_GND During S1 Training:

LTFJ_GND: 20 Hours

LTAI_GND: 10 Hours

GND Sectors Except LTFJ/LTAI : 10 Hours

Required Hours To Proceed To S2 Training:

All Of the Above  GND Hours + 40 Hours at LTFM_GND/ Total 80 Hours and at least 2 Event participations. 

Required Hours During S2 Training for LTFM_TWR

LTFJ_TWR: 20 Hours

LTAI_TWR: 20 Hours

Other TWR Positions Except LTAI/LTFJ: 20

Required Hours to Proceed S3 Training:

All of the above TWR Hours + 100 hours at LTFM_TWR / Total: 160 Hours and at least 5 event participations

Required Hours During S3 Training For LTBA_APP:

LTAI_APP: 30 Hours

LTAC_APP: 10 Hours

Approach Positions Except LTAI/LTAC: 5 Hours

Procedural Tower: 5 Hours

Required Hours to Start C1 Training:

All Of The Above APP Hours + 200 Hours on LTBA_APP / Total: 300 Hours and at least 5 event participations

The above stated hours and event participation conditions are standard online hours that the controller needs to accumulate. Sweatbox sessions are NOT INCLUDED. Depending on controller candidates skills and training progress the above hours can be increased by the mentor in charge of the candidates training. The decrease of the above conditions depends on controller candidates skill and training progress. The decrease of the above conditions can only be possible with the approval of the vACC Director or Deputy Director.  

5.1.2 Required Hours – Orientation and Refreshment

These can be increased if required. Decrease is possible only with the approval of vACC Director or vACC Deputy Director.

C1 – Enroute Controller Refreshment is a combination of all the above. GND and TWR sections of the refreshment training can be fast tracked depending on ATC skills and with the approval of vACC Director or vACC Deputy Director.

Refreshment / Visiting Orientation Trainings

GND Refreshment / Orientation

LTFJ_GND: 2 Hours

LTAI_GND: 2 Hours

LTFM_GND: 2 Hours

Tower Refreshment / Orientation:

LTFJ_TWR: 2 Hours

LTAI_TWR: 2 Hours

LTFM_TWR: 3 Hours

Approach Refreshment / Orientation:

LTAI_APP: 3 Hours

LTAC_APP: 3 Hours

LTBJ_APP: 3 Hours

LTBA_APP : 6 Hours

Enroute Controller (C1 and C3) Refreshment / Orientation

all of the above. Gnd and Twr orientation for Visiting Controllers with a rating of S3 and higher can be fast tracked based on candidates skills and the approval of vACC Director and vACC Deputy Director. 

  1. Arbitration Panel
    The arbitration panel is a team of staff members that try to find mutual agreements between conflicting parties within the vACC. If this panel is unable to find a resolution, the matter will be forwarded to VATEUD for further investigation and conclusion. Any decision or resolution that is made from VATEUD side is final. The Arbitration panel can issue warnings regarding conflicts.

If a member receives three (3) warning from the Arbitration Panel they will be forwared to VATEUD to deal with. If the conflicting action is against TRvACC directly, TRvACC can take the case directly VATEUD. In this case TRvACC will be a side of this conflict.

TRvACC Arbitration Panel can come into action to find a mutual solution if the following cases happen:

  • Conflicts during controlling
  • Conflicts on TRvACC Forum
  • Conflicts on TRvACC Discord
  • Conflicts on TRvACC Social Media

The arbitration panel is compromised by TRvACC Director, Deputy Director, Training Director (if needed), Web Services Director (if needed) and Membership Director.

7. TRvACC Services, Copyright and Rights of Use
TRvACC services consist of the website, forum, Discord Server and social media pages. All documents, sector files are property of TRvACC. These services are made available for the use of members and VATSIM community. Should a member or a third party organisation grant TRvACC the rights to use their products or services, TRvACC is granted the non-exclusive right to use these products or services for use within TRvACC.
Members are obliged with following the TRvACC rules in TRvACC forums, social media pages and Discord Server. The forum and discord server are also covered by VATSIM CoC and CoR. Vulgar language, sharing of software products and political arguments are not permitted on the TRvACC Forum and Discord.

  1. External Affairs of TRvACC with VATSIM
    TRvACC is a Virtual Area Control Center on the VATSIM Network. TRvACC is a sub division of VATSIM European Division which is a division within VATSIM EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST and AFRICA REGION (VATEMEA).

    9. Changes and Amendments
    Any changes and amendments to the TRvACC Constitution may not fall outside of the scope of VATEUD Policy and Regulations or the VATSIM Code of Conduct and Code of Regulations.
    Changes and revisions to the Constitution will be made if 50% of the vACC staff is in favour of the proposed change. Changes to the Constitution will be published on the TRvACC forum.
    All changes and amendments to the Constitution are subject to the approval of VATEUDc