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. FRA for military ADs and Centers can also be set by SO staff.ATC Operations HQ is responsible for updating and managing all FRAs for positions that don´t belong to active divisions.
The debate about how to set FRAs is a recurring one: in times of lower activity FRAs go down, which generates more activity and then voices start requesting FRAs to be raised again.
At a first level of analysis, one could just see FRA policy as a matter of quantity vs. quality. But remember that 0 ATC cannot really provide a quality service.
Let´s go back in time to a moment when division X did not yet exist and it was just a bunch of enthusiast following each other around flying and controlling to generate some activity. Everyone is trying to enjoy and learn together, they might not be especially proficient at approach control, but they get better, increase their user count through consistent presence and ultimately achieve a community of active and highly skilled ATC.
The needs of every person, country, Ivao user, division or community change with time. According to what they have already achieved their priorities shift and new needs arise. From the perspective of a large division, priority is put on top of quality, since the quantity is already there. From the perspective of new users (No matter if from a div or not) or for new potential divisions, the priority is not quality; it is just having someone. 1 person on the other side of their sim to interact with. Then they enjoy it, and finally the motivation to improve and evolve appears.
The first motivation of most newcomers to Ivao is enjoying. Once the have discored they can have fun, the motivation to improve comes naturally to most.
Ivao is for most a hobby. Something that either is enjoyable or just isn´t.
How many people do you think would actually play CallOfDuty/FIFA/… if they had to spend X hours studying before even knowing if they will actually enjoy doing it? How many would you say would just go for something else? Please do think about a percentage in your mind.
Do barriers to the most initial, entry-level stages of a for-enjoyment network make sense?
A quick glance at Webeye will tell you how those divisions that provide ample opportunities for newcomers to join in have the most active and skilled communities and the most consistent ATC presence. Consistente ATC presence (Even if not being top quality) drives consistent pilot presence and on to an infinite loop.
Yes, they do exist from time to time and even if they are a minority, you only need one of those who does not want to learn or listen to spoil it for the rest. You can always provide some tips in the right direction. Or, as covered on our R&R, please use a wallop with the mean-spirited and not just make the innocent pay for the guilty.
All divisions must ensure an appropriate FRA balance:
On one hand FRA settings must make our hobby aproachable and attractive enables new users to start on those positions where it makes sense.
On the other hand, FRAs must ensure only competent members will manage complex positions and act as a lure for members to get trained in order to unlock them.
Leaving enough positions for ATC students to join in, enjoy and have some traffic is as essential for motivation and member development, as restricting your bussiest airport for competent ATCOs.
Remember you can set FRAs that change depending on day of the week and/or time of the day:
Divisions are free to configure their FRAs in a manner that suits the requirements and dynamics 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.
Many divisions have found great success using a lower FRA one day of the week: Student days.
E.g.: The FRA for ZZZZ_TWR is set as ADC all week. But we set it as AS3 on Tuesdays as an incentive to improve, by seeing what the benefits of studying and obtaining your ratings are. Student days also contribute create a safe environment for learning users (Pilots and ATCOs): expectations are lowered so anyone can feel confident to start participating.
You can also set one FRA for weekends and another one for weekdays. Even morning vs. evening.
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.