Pilot Certification Program

POC: Facility Advisory Board	Date: 2010-01-21
Code: Pilot Certs	Version: 1.00

1. PURPOSE.

This policy informs ZLA controllers of their responsibilities in administrating the ZLA Pilot Certification Program. 

2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

The Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) for this Policy is the ZLA Facility Advisory Board. This Policy was originally drafted by Ian Elchitz, ZLA Air Traffic Manager, on January 18, 2010, and was approved by Tom Seeley, VATUSA7 on January 19, 2010. This policy shall be maintained, revised, updated, or cancelled by the ZLA Facility Advisory Board or any organization that supersedes, replaces, or assumes the FAB responsibilities. Any suggestions for modification/amendment to this Policy should be sent to the FAB for review. 

3. DISTRIBUTION.

All ZLA controllers. 

4. BACKGROUND.

ZLA's Pilot Certification program is a critical part of the ARTCC, and has provided many benefits to controllers and pilots alike. The continued success of the program requires that controllers be familiar with the critical roles they play in administering the tests. This Standard Operating Procedure outlines the requirements and expectations of controllers administrating these tests. 

5. REQUIREMENTS.

The following procedures apply to all ZLA controllers:

1. All ZLA Controllers must register on the ZLA Pilot Certification website, available at http://pilotcerts.laartcc.org/page/Home. They must also submit a feedback message after registration to obtain controller status there. It is every controller's responsibility to ensure that they have obtained controller status on the website. 
   
   
2. Controllers must be familiar with the Pilot Certification website, and be able to obtain all necessary information about tests that are available to be taken from the airports they wish to control. In particular, the V-1 exam can be performed at any towered airport, so all controllers must be able to perform this examination if requested. 

The following procedures apply to ZLA controllers administering a pilot certification examination:

1. Before beginning a pilot certification test, it is the responsibility of the controller who first makes contact with the testing pilot to ensure that the appropriate ATC coverage is and will be online to the completion of the pilot's examination, and that the controllers are able to accommodate the examination. If ATC coverage is not expected to be online or able to conduct an examination, the controller must inform the pilot accordingly. Every effort should be made to ensure that pilot certification examinations in progress are not terminated due to ATC signing off. 


2. Controllers must be fully aware of the expectations for each exam, and their responsibilities in administering it. Certain exams, such as the I-4, have special requirements for controllers, and controllers must comply with them. All examinations have required Practical Test Standards, and controllers need to be aware of these so they can properly grade the exam. 


3. While an examination is in progress, when a transfer of control of the aircraft is made, the controller transferring control shall update the receiving controller of the status of the examination. 


4. The final controller in contact with the pilot is responsible for informing the pilot of the result of the examination, and entering that result into the ZLA Pilot Certification system, unless other arrangements are made.