All Facility Rating Assignments (FRAs) can be added, edited and deleted by ATC Operations HQ, with division FRAs being editable by division ATC Operations Staff and Division HQ. ATC Operations HQ update and manage all FRAs for positions that are not located in active divisions.
We generally recommend that divisions adopt the following:
Leave enought positions for ATC students to enjoy and have some traffic, it is essential for motivation and member development. Remember you can set FRAs that change depending on day of the week and time of the day:
- AS1 - For small aerodromes where members can start to discover the role of an Air Traffic Controller on ground or delivery positions.
- AS2 - For medium aerodromes on delivery/ground position and for tower/tower information positions.
- AS3 - For medium/large aerodrome towers and some approach positions.
- ADC - For approach and center positions.
- APC - For large center and departure positions.
- ACC and above - No special recommendation.
Divisions are free to configure their FRAs in a manner that suits the requirements and dynamic of the division. However we do insist that FRAs are not set in a way that is too restrictive, to ensure that controlling remains accessible to all in a way that does not prohibit controllers getting online and creating a good level of ATC presence on the network.
The FRA infrastructure now allows HQ and Division ATC Ops staff and Division HQ to unrestrict members from a certain FRA indefinitely, however this facility must not be abused by divisions and must only be used according to the following guidelines below.
- The system should be used sparsely and is not for use as a means of making FRAs overly restrictive for no reason.
- The system should not be used to restrict individual members from controlling any position.
- If used as a ‘validation system’ or alike, the position requiring the validation must differ from the standard of ATC training so greatly that further learning is required OR the position must be so demanding or complex that a competency check is required prior to controlling.
- The system must not be used to allow friends to control positions higher than their rating AND staff members with access to the unrestriction system, must not unrestrict themselves.
- It is recommended that requests for FRA unrestriction is sent to the Division ATC Operations Department by email for archiving of requests.
- The Executive Council and HQ ATC Operations reserve the right to request that the unrestriction system is not used on a particular position when required.
- Any use of the system that deviates from the points made above may result in the removal of the system access for your division unless agreed with HQ ATC Operations by email.