ZAB is seeking a highly motivated and dedicated individual to fill the position of Training Administrator.

Qualifications:

* Hold an Instructor 1 rating
* Experience working in tower trainer and sweatbox
* Ideally, experience in developing tower trainer and sweatbox scenarios * Willingness to go the extra mile with training students
* Experience developing study materials a major plus
* Meet the other minimum qualifications as stated by VATUSA policy

Duties:

In the interest of full disclosure, the ZAB staff presently has one instructor. There are a group of individuals who are mentoring students, and that is the primary mode of training right now in ZAB. You will be tasked with quickly stepping in and finding instructors for ZAB. You will additionally be tasked with getting rated on ZAB positions if you are not already, and lastly you will be tasked with sharing the brunt of the training load.

Applications will be accepted through at least November 30th, 2008.

ZAB is seeking a highly motivated individuals for Instructor positions.

Qualifications:

* Hold a C1 or C3 rating
* Willingness to make yourself available to students for training
* Meet the other minimum qualifications as stated by VATUSA policy

Duties:

* Holding training sessions with students
* Make yourself available to answer questions from students

Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled.

ZAB is seeking a highly motivated individual for the position of Deputy Air Traffic Manager.

Qualifications:

* Hold at least a S3 rating
* Experience working with SCT files
* Experience with writing documentation
* Website experience a plus

Duties:

* Perform basic website duties such as posting news items and updating the roster
* Mentor students on position
* Additional duties as assigned by the ATM

Resumes and a brief summary of what you would accomplish in the position(s) you are applying for can be sent to the vZAB ATM, Fred Clausen (clausen.fred@gmail.com)

With his appointment, Tommy would like to see Albuquerque ARTCC be more active, and with this initiative, he would like to focus on getting controllers trained on Albuquerque positions.

The following is a letter sent to the Albuquerque ARTCC controllers as a welcoming notice:

Hello Everybody,

I just wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. I'm Tommy Rogers and I have been selected as your next ATM. I'm very excited about this position and can't wait to see what the future hold for us here in ZAB.

I joined VATSIM in June 2006 and was an early graduate of the VATUSA Training Academy and was assigned to the Cleveland ARTCC where I have been since. I became a C-1 in October 2006 and a C-3 Feb 2007. I was also an Instructor at the VATUSA Training Academy before it closed. After I received my C-3 Rating and the 30 mandatory waiting period I became an instructor in April 2007. I served as Training Administrator here in ZOB but had to step down do to Real World commitments (I had a baby, moved to a new state and started a new Job all in the same month). After I stepped down as the TA, I stayed on as a Staff Instructor. I also severed for a short time as ATM in ZMA.

I'm currently living in a small town outside of Philly in PA. I'm married with 2 Children, a 1 year old girl and a 3 year old son. I'm a Director/Pastor of a local Salvation Army center and love what I do.

I love VATSIM and it has given me many, many hours of enjoyment and I'm pleased that I'm able to give back in this way.

I've herd great things about this ARTCC and I can't wait to see what we can do together to make it one of the best in VATUSA.

I'm almost always available by email, feel free to contact me at:
magtom2003@me.com

Also by these IM Clients:
AIM: satrogers
Yahoo: satrogers
MSN: satrogers@hotmail.com
Skype: magtom2003

Again, I can't wait to get on the scopes and see what we can do together!

ZAB welcomes you to sunny Phoenix, AZ on May 24th, to come fly in the Valley of the Sun. But don't bring your heavy metal - Phoenix is the busiest and most concentrated flight training area in the country. So dust off your Cessna or Piper, and enjoy the friendly desert skies from 2300 to 0300 zulu.

All,

So soon after the original P50 documents and sector file was released, the Phoenix ATCT and TRACON is getting a facelift.

Access the link below to obtain the P50/PHX Pack, a ZIP that includes the latest sector file enhancements, including an updated PHX Class B airspace map, tower airspace updates, and an all new set of video maps for the Phoenix ATCT, all in one place.

The SOPs and LOAs included in the pack have not been changed from the original release documents. They are included simply to keep all the information for our major Phoenix facilities together in one download. Please grab and enjoy.

P50 / PHX Pack

As usual, if there are any questions, please direct them to the Water Cooler forum.

Nate Johns
VATUSA ZAB ATM

The VATUSA ZAB Website will be undergoing a wholesale revision over the coming weeks. The look will remain substantially the same, but the data will be changed and updated.

There is a fair bit of outmoded information present on the site that is in need of updating, along with organizing.

Toward the organizing end, I do have a request:

Will all controllers that have previously applied for visiting controller status with us please post in the
VATUSA ZAB Visitor Check In Thread

I apologize for the inconvenience, but we do not have a centralized, up-to-date list of our visiting controllers available at present and need to ensure our roster is accurate.

All intending to be visiting controllers must post in that thread before visiting privileges will be honored. If you are not a registered user of the forum, you will need to register to add your name to the visitor list.

Thank you for your help, and please keep poking around the site. We hope to get everyone quality data again soon.

Nate Johns
VATUSA ZAB ATM

All,

The 2008 Annual Super Bowl Fly-In is here. On the evening of February 2, expect loads of traffic and plenty of staffing.

The official Super Bowl Fly-In Pilot Briefing Guide may be found at the following links:

Pilot Briefing PDF Download

Pilot Briefing on VATSIM Forums

Pilots will be happy to know that the VATUSA Boston ARTCC (ZBW) will be available from 2100Z for East Coast departures cheering on the New England Patriots.

If there are any additional questions or concerns, please direct them to the VATUSA ZAB Forums.

We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Nate Johns
VATUSA ZAB ATM

VATUSA ZAB Members and Guests,

Phoenix is finally getting its day in the sun.

The links below provide all the information necessary to control traffic at Phoenix Sky Harbor Int'l Airport (PHX). They come at a critical time for our ARTCC as we begin a ramp up for operations during the biggest event of the year, the Super Bowl Fly-In, slated for Saturday, Feb 2, 2008.

The documents and procedures, become effective on January 8, 2008. You may find them in PDF format here:

PHX ATCT SOP

P50/PHX LOA

As always, if there are any questions, please direct them to the Water Cooler forum. As well, more information about our Super Bowl event will be coming very soon!

Nate Johns
VATUSA ZAB ATM

Tonight is the new, improved, monthy ATC corridor.

PHX is featured and should get some killer traffic tonight. Combined with excellent staffing, you should come and enjoy the fun!

Pilots can check out:

http://fno.vatusa.org/ATCindex.php

for flight plan infomation.

We'll see you at Sky Harbor!

Nate Johns
VATUSA ZAB ATM

It's already September, and it's time to start thinking about Phoenix Rising 2008. Mike Graham was kind enough to put together a little video montage of our event back in February. Check it out!

We are timing our live event this year to coincide with the heaviest traffic VATUSA has to offer, and that's the annual Super Bowl fly-in. Phoenix is the host, and we'll be ready for it. What better time to have a room full of controllers together than the biggest fly-in event of the year?

Mark your calendars for Feb 1 - Feb 3, 2008. We're hashing out the details as time goes on and will keep all informed as we get closer. Head over to the forum to talk PR08!

Nate Johns
VATUSA ZAB ATM

VATUSA ZAB Members and Guests,

Albuquerque is getting a face lift.

Click the image above to download another step toward ATC realism. This new sector file for the ABQ ATCT and TRACON, packed together with a matching SOP and LOA, should help take the mystery away from working traffic around the Duke City.

The documents and procedures become effective on September 1, 2007.

As always, if there are any questions, please direct them to the Water Cooler forum. More on the way as we march toward the Super Bowl!

Nate Johns
VATUSA ZAB ATM

In the next couple of days, the VATUSA ZAB roster will be trimmed based on our 10 hours in 3 months activity requirement. A notice will be sent to those controllers affected, both visiting and officially rostered, if they are dropped.

For better or worse, the trim will be fairly drastic, and I expect our roster to be about halved. In the end though, this will better represent the staffing we have available at our ARTCC.

For those that wish to remain part of the roster and control in ZAB airspace, please understand that we enjoy your interest in our ARTCC. You are free to apply again as you would like for visiting or rostered controller status. Active controlling will be required, however, to remain with the ARTCC.

Thank you for your attention.

Nate Johns
VATUSA ZAB ATM

VATUSA ZAB Members and Guests,

In our efforts to expand and improve ZAB's realism, today we release fresh and updated information for El Paso.

Clicking the image above will allow you, our esteemed controllers, to download a new sector file packed together with a matching SOP and LOA to enhance our traffic management at ELP.

The documents become effective on July 6, 2007. We'll definintely want to make use of them for our upcoming FNO!

As always, if there are any questions, please direct them to the Water Cooler forum. More to come!

Nate Johns
VATUSA ZAB ATM

VATUSA ZAB Members and Guests,

We have a treat for you. Click on the above link to begin downloading the our newest sector file, P50 TRACON.

For those of you able to attend our Phoenix Rising event back in February, this ought to bring back memories. For the rest, be assured that this sector file presents a near-exact replica of what the real P50 TRACON controllers see on a daily basis.

Along with this great sector file comes the release of a new SOP and a new LOA:

Phoenix TRACON SOP

ZAB/P50 LOA

These documents should increase our knowledge of operations. Please read through them and begin to apply their procedures to the extent practical. The documents are formally effective on June 18,2007.

As always, if there are any questions, please direct them to the Water Cooler forum. We'd love to discuss our development! More to come!

Nate Johns
VATUSA ZAB ATM

VATUSA ZAB Members,

Today we release new Letters of Agreement drafted with the cooperation of our surrounding center neighbors, with the exception of our Mexican neighbors to the south.

These LOAs become effective on June 1, 2007. Please take the time to read through them, and do your best to assist our fellow controllers as they will be working hard to help us. We're not about aggressive enforcement here. They'll scratch our back if we scratch theirs, however.

The most significant change is our new LOA with Fort Worth ARTCC to the east. They will help us with proper routes to PHX and over to ZLA in exchange for our assistance in ensuring aircraft destined the Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Terminal Area are issued the proper STARs from the northwest (our East and Southeast Specialties).

You may click the above image, or log in to the forum's ZAB Must Read area, to download the ZIP package of the new LOAs.

If there are any questions, please direct them to the Water Cooler forum.

Nate Johns
VATUSA ZAB ATM

VATUSA ZAB Members,

Effective May 15, 2007, VATUSA ZAB Order 7110.149A is the new Standard Operating Procedure for controlling traffic while staffing Albuquerque ARTCC positions.

The .149 defines intra-center coordination and procedures. It also establishes sector combinations and predictable traffic flows.

On a routine basis, individual controllers manning ABQ_43_CTR will find this guide useful as a reference to handling a variety of traffic. When multiple controllers staff ZAB online, following the coordination procedures laid out for each area of specialty can ensure that each controller knows what to expect from the other.

You may click the above image, or log in to the forum's ZAB Must Read area.

If there are any questions, please direct them to the Water Cooler forum.

Nate Johns
VATUSA ZAB ATM

Thank you for your patience while we work to build ZAB's future!

Nate Johns
VATUSA ZAB ATM

VATUSA ZAB Members,

Today we release Order VATUSA ZAB 7110.65A, it is effective immediately. It contains general infomation and guidelines to follow while controlling any position within our airspace.

It is a quick read and should help re-emphasize some points to bear in mind while working traffic online. There are also some new definitions and procedures applicable for most any staffed position.

You may click the above image, or log in to the forum's new ZAB MUST READ area to access the document.

If there are any questions, please direct them to the staff or the Water Cooler forum.

The VATUSA ZAB Staff

VATUSA ZAB Members,

Reference the e-mail you all should have received, VATUSA ZAB is undergoing a realignment of its sectors and frequencies effective Monday, April 2, 2007.

Attached to the e-mail, and also located in the Downloads section of the zabartcc.org website (you may click on the graphic to access the downloads), you will find a discussion document that defines the changes to be made in this realignment, along with a new POF file, a master position list for ZAB, and AGP files for ASRC users.

Please read the included documents and load the POF file in to VRC or ASRC. AGP files may be loaded in to ASRC, VRC users may import them or configure themselves using the voice room naming convention described in the briefing PDF.

Again. these changes are effective Monday, April 2, 2007. You may use these frequencies and positions before then. After this date though, please comply with the new sector plan.

Thank you for your patience and support while we continue to develop ZAB!

The VATUSA ZAB Staff

Gentlemen,

Today marks the release of a new sector file for our ARTCC. Click on the above graphic to download ZAB Trinity.

Please download the file and explore. To better understand what you are looking at, and to better configure your display settings, please carefully read the Trinity Readme PDF that accompanies the sector file. It will go a long way in explaining what you are looking at.

This is a first step in a long series of updates and information dissemination that will be taking place over the next few months. It will prove to be a revolution for ZAB, and will well-prepare us to take center stage for the Super Bowl fly in we will host, now barely more than 11 months away.

There will likely be questions, and the information that will guide us in more effective controlling with this file is forthcoming. Expect a lot to be happening around here in the coming months. Be ready to learn!

Enjoy it folks, we guarantee you wont find a finer sector file across VATUSA.