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New Operations Director

Good Evening Everyone,   I hope you enjoyed your weekends and I write to you with good news! This morning @Dave Woodward accepted my offer of the Operations Director role, making him the latest addition to the Division Staff Group. Dave will be known to many already, having served as our Enroute ATC Training Group Instructor since the beginning of this year, and he brings a wealth of practical and procedural knowledge to the Operations Department. I would like to welcome Dave to the DS
Ben Wright

Ben Wright in United Kingdom

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Operations

Controller Pack Updates

Firstly, an apology Following user feedback, I'd like to explain some recent functionality changes to the UK Controller Pack. My apologies for not ensuring that communication was widespread or detailed enough to keep disruption to a minimum. Going forward, we'll utilize UKCP notifications alongside regular procedure change posts and Discord announcements to better disseminate information to controllers. Over the past four years, we've worked on moving the UK Controller Pack to GitHub,
Luke Brown

Luke Brown in Operations

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Vacancy

VFR Flight Instructor Vacancy

Hi all! I am pleased to announce that we are recruiting for a second VFR Flight instructor. Due to the training demands seen with the P1 PPL(A) course, @Benjamin Arrowsmith and I have mutually agreed that a second VFR FI would help us take the course to the next level. Below is a summary of the general responsibilities and requirements of the role. General Responsibilities: Has overall responsibility for training of the P1 PPL(A) course in accordance with VATSIM UKs P1 PPL
Darren Hill

Darren Hill in Vacancy

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United Kingdom

[Vacancy] Operations Director

The Operations Department is responsible for the creation and maintenance of our sector file, controller pack, local procedures and documents, letters of agreement and temporary procedures. The Operations Department also supports the Events Team during the event planning phase to assess event feasibility and provide guidance in order to ensure the success of events. The Operations Director’s main responsibility is to provide leadership to the Operations Department. Other responsibilities of
Ben Wright

Ben Wright in United Kingdom

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Pilot Training

Quarterly Review: Q2 2024

Join the team We are always looking for new mentors across our training courses: P1, P2, and TFP. Irrespective of your experience, if you are interested in contributing to the division and passionate about flying then please reach out! Helpdesk: https://helpdesk.vatsim.uk/ (select “Pilot Training” as the department)   The second quarter The second quarter of 2024 was a rather challenging quarter, both in the department and in my personal life. Many of you will notice a d
Darren Hill

Darren Hill in Pilot Training

4
Staff Changes

Operations Director - Resignation

Good evening everyone. I write primarily with a sense of relief, but a tad of regret to inform the Division that I have chosen to leave the Operations Director position. This is a fantastic role that I have held for just shy of 3 years, but one that has required such high levels of effort and expectations of availability that it is time for me to step aside. During that time, I have had the pleasure of working with numerous bright, dedicated and hardworking individuals that churn out a neve
Kieran Hardern

Kieran Hardern in Staff Changes

1
ATC Training

Q2 2024 Review

Good morning, all! When I took this role, I had planned to provide quarterly updates for visibility; certainly I provide a quarterly update to the region to provide them with some oversight and to facilitate governance and, in the spirit of openness and transparency, it's only appropriate that I do the same with all of you. I had intended to write something a little closer to the end of Q2, rather than 1/3 of the way through Q3, but Real Life has conspired against me and I have been delayed
Adam Arkley

Adam Arkley in ATC Training

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United Kingdom

VATSIM UK Live! : Tickets now available

Tickets for VATSIM UK Live are now available for purchase from our site - https://live.vatsim.uk Our event is open-door, meaning every VATSIM member is welcome to join us for this in-person event over the weekend of 10th and 11th August 2024. This is the one chance each year to fly, control and socialise alongside other VATSIM members from across the network hosted in the UK. It is not only a moment to deepen the experience of the network, but also learn and collaborate with other members. 
Chris Pawley

Chris Pawley in United Kingdom

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United Kingdom

Introducing Town Hall Sessions

During the last DSG Meeting and following feedback from our members, we discussed at length the lack of interaction between the DSG and our membership. We understand that this is not a new issue, and for many years there has been a growing feeling of disconnect between members, staff and DSG. We are keen to hear your thoughts and suggestions on matters concerning VATSIM UK as a whole, as we are conscious that many of our pilots and controllers can provide insight into problems which may not be a
Ben Wright

Ben Wright in United Kingdom

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United Kingdom

New Deputy Division Director

All,   I'm pleased to announce that @Nick Marinov has accepted my offer for the position of VATSIM UK Deputy Division Director. Nick has served as Assistant to the Vice President - EMEA for the past four and a half years; prior to this role he has also served as a Training Group Manager and Community Manager within the Division. Those of you who know Nick will understand that his return to the UK will bring a wealth of knowledge, and I am certain that he will be a great asset to the Di
Ben Wright

Ben Wright in United Kingdom

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United Kingdom

Discord General Chat Changes

Last Sunday we announced the removal of the ‘general-chat’ channel within Discord. Clearly this was an emotive subject for many of our members, and we pledged to thoroughly review this decision before committing to making changes. It was pointed out by many, and evident on review, that the brevity of the announcement and lack of clear explanation for this action was a mistake, and I would like to apologise for the confusion this has caused. The purpose of this post is to update you all on our pl
Ben Wright

Ben Wright in United Kingdom

1
Staff Changes

Operations Staff Changes

I regret to inform that @Kye Taylor, one of our two Aerodrome Operations Coordinators has resigned his position in the department. Kye joined my team in August 2023, filling a long vacant gap. From there I've worked with Kye (along with Adam and Archie) through the 8.33 trial, 2 Cross the Ponds, the TC Midlands Implementation and the closure of Doncaster - to name just a few of our projects - alongside keeping our core and supported documents up to date. Most recently Kye has been coordinat
Kieran Hardern

Kieran Hardern in Staff Changes

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ATC Training

S3 Syllabus

In our quest to create a holistic ATC Training Syllabus and overhaul documentation associated with ATC Training, I am pleased to announce the next training syllabi as now been released - the S3 Syllabus. The new S3 Syllabus has been formatted similarly to the recent S2 Syllabus and is detailed below: Block 1 - Fundamental Approach/Radar Competencies: Block 1 aims to take students from zero experience to a solid understanding of S3 fundamental competencies. This includes Euroscope
Will Jennings

Will Jennings in ATC Training

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United Kingdom

VATSIM UK Live! Announcement

We are pleased to announce the 2024 edition of VATSIM UK Live! will take place on the weekend of 10th and 11th August 2024 at Conference Aston in Birmingham, UK.  VATSIM UK Live! is the annual in-person event where pilots and controllers can spend two full days flying and controlling besides one another in the same room. This brings another level of immersion to the VATSIM experience, as you get behind the scenes insights on the other side of the scope, control side by side or meet and chat
Chris Pawley

Chris Pawley in United Kingdom

5
ATC Training

Resignation - John Batten

Dear all, It's with some regret that I announce that @John Battenis standing down from his post as Training Group Instructor within our New Controller training group. John was appointed in March 2022 and in the 27 months that he's been in post, he's been instrumental in the success of TGNC, leading the delivery of quality training to new members of our community whilst also juggling his tenure as Member Services Director. In recent times, the training group has seen record numbers of e
Adam Arkley

Adam Arkley in ATC Training

7
United Kingdom

Marketing Department Management

Good evening all,   Those of you who read my April update will be aware that we were unable to fill the position of Marketing Director in February. In the time since, I have continued to ‘caretake’ the role while temporary solutions were  discussed within the DSG.  Effective immediately, the responsibilities of the Marketing Director role will be split between Kieran Hardern and myself, with Kieran assuming responsibility of events and the Events Team. Thomas Hallam, who has done
Ben Wright

Ben Wright in United Kingdom

0
Pilot Training

Quarterly Review: Q1 2024

A look back on 2023 The 2023 calendar year saw some major changes to Pilot Training across the network, notably the introduction of the P5 and P6 ratings. In addition, the VATSIM UK ATO was audited for the first time in 2 years – a new experience for everyone involved due to the new audit structure and scope. One thing that didn’t happen much last year was regular updates from our department. The lack of the usual quarterly reports is something I let slide while life got busy, and th
Darren Hill

Darren Hill in Pilot Training

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Member Services

Simulator Adventures Review and VATSIM UK Discount

We have teamed up with Simulator Adventures to provide an exciting discount in their immersive A320 motion simulator, based at Salford Quays, Manchester. They have kindly offered VATSIM UK Home Members 20% off their experience, so if you are a Home Member and you wish to take advantage of this discount, please submit a ticket to Member Services requesting a discount code. A unique, one-time code will be issued to you, and you will be able to use this on their website.   Below is a
William Shaw

William Shaw in Member Services

4
United Kingdom

Shanwick Oceanic Currency Changes

After discussion amongst the DSG, it has been decided that UK Visiting Controllers who are only permitted to control Shanwick positions will be exempted from quarterly activity requirements effective immediately. Practically speaking, this means that Shanwick only visitors will not fall inactive on our controller roster. If you believe you meet this requirement and have been erroneously marked as inactive, please get in touch with the Member Services Department via the Helpdesk who will be able
Ben Wright

Ben Wright in United Kingdom

0
United Kingdom

Pilot Quality and Network Enjoyment

The quality of many pilots on the network is the subject of much discussion across VATSIM UK and other vACCs, Divisions and Regions. For as far back as I can remember, the topic has been present on a daily basis across VATSIM and I have dealt with my own fair share of well meaning but very new members of the VATSIM network that disrupt my ability to enjoy the network. As a direct result, I have been encouraging people for some time to make better use of the .wallop command whilst controlling, pa
Adam Arkley

Adam Arkley in United Kingdom

25
Web Services

Technology Team Appointment

I am delighted to welcome @Max Brokman to the Technology Team. Max brings a wealth of professional experience within development teams and I am excited to benefit from that knowledge as we continue maintaining, enhancing (and occasionally fixing...) the various services that we run.
VATSIM UK Web Services

VATSIM UK Web Services in Web Services

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ATC Training

GCAP Update 3: Effect of Change

Good morning all, Yesterday, we processed the first roster update since GCAP went live on the 1st March. On the 1st March, we retained on the roster anyone who had controlled at all within the preceding 12 months, from the 1st March 2023 to the 1st March 2024. Thereafter, currency requirements dictate that to remain on the roster, a controller must control three hours within every fixed quarter; three hours between the 1st Jan and the 1st April, three hours between the 1st April and the 1st
Adam Arkley

Adam Arkley in ATC Training

3
United Kingdom

April 2024 Update

Good Evening Everyone,   I hope you have all enjoyed your long weekend. I can assure you this is not a late April Fools joke, but simply another opportunity to update our members on what has been going on ‘behind the scenes’ since my previous post. Beginning with recent staff appointments, @Archie Middlefell and @Alice Ford were appointed as an Aerodrome Operations Coordinator and Operations Assistant respectively. Last month we also welcomed @Dylan Parkes into the Member Services
Ben Wright

Ben Wright in United Kingdom

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