Last Updated: March 2024
The IVAO United Kingdom & Ireland Division (“the Division”) is partaking in the Guest Controller Approval (“GCA”) Policy which is stated in the IVAO Rules and Regulations as follows.
T.2 Divisions may require members of foreign divisions to obtain a Guest Controller Approval before providing ATC services. Divisions shall announce their participation and publish their requirements on the division’s website. Such GCA requirement(s) shall be published on the division website in English language.
ICAO | Airport Name | Country |
LXGB | RAF Gibraltar | Gibraltar |
A GCA is only available for IVAO members who are outside of the United Kingdom & Ireland Division and hold a rating of Aerodrome Controller (“ADC”) or greater. Applicants wishing to take on ‘band-boxed’ sectors such as London Terminal and Area (“EGTT_x_CTR/ EGTL_x_CTR”), Scottish Control (“EGPX_CTR”) and Shannon Control (“EISN_CTR”) are required to undergo a mandatory competency session with the Divisional Training Department. The list below shows the positions authorised for each level of controller:
Rating | Name | Positions Authorised |
ADC | Aerodrome Controller | Delivery ("DEL"), Ground ("GND"), Tower ("TWR") |
APC | Approach Controller | All ADC positions plus Approach ("APP") |
ACC | Centre Controller | All APC positions plus Control ("CTR") |
Controllers holding an APC rating may apply to obtain permission to open up CTR positions by undergoing assessment by a member of the Divisional Training Department once they have passed a check on a “APP” position.
Once a GCA has been issued, it requires the holder to meet a certain validity standard.
For the holder to maintain their GCA a connection of over 30 minutes on an active air traffic control position between the hours of 0900z and 2359z must be made within a rolling three-month period. For example, if the GCA is issued on 1 Feb 20, you must control a valid session before 1 May 20.
Failure to do so will result in the GCA being revoked with no prior warning.
Members under special circumstances may have the validity period requirement amended or removed only with prior written agreement from the Training Coordinator (“XU-TC”) and/ or Training Assistant Coordinator (“XU-TAC”) – no other authority will stand. The Division and Department hold the right to remove the Guest Controller Approval within the validity period if the holders violates IVAO Rules and Regulations, fails to uphold good conduct with divisional members (ATC and Pilots), goes against the “spirit of the division”, holds a lack of knowledge for procedures or spends less than fifty percent (50%) of their controlling hours in their assigned Division.
Members requesting a Guest Controller Approval within the Division automatically agree to this policy and will conform with the directorate within it.