Andrew Heath

In order to understand many of the other features of POSCON, it is important to describe the two types of connection modes that exist on the POSCON Network: Ghost mode and Live mode. Ghost mode is a connected server mode that allows a user to observe. In this mode, the user is invisible to pilot users and muted for all users but can still see and hear everyone else participating in the live mode. This mode is extremely useful for pilots that are just starting out and getting the hang of things. NOTE: An aircraft model from the Live mode that is within 20 meters of a ghosted aircraft is automatically deleted until the Live mode model exits the 20 meter protection zone, then it will reappear. This feature was introduced to support a shared cockpit experience. Live mode is a connected server mode that allows a user to be visible and audible to all users, but even in the live mode you cannot see or hear ghosted users. The exception to this is that air traffic controllers have a special filter setting on the Radar Client that allows them to see ghosted users. Additionally, all users can see ghosted users on the Live Map located on the POSCON Headquarters website.

A: The feedback system is a way for users to “grade” the performance of fellow users. It is also a way for POSCON to determine the strengths and weaknesses of our users. Submitting feedback is never required but is highly recommended as it helps in the learning and development process of the POSCON membership. In order to leave feedback about a user, simply navigate to the Live Map located on the POSCON Headquarters website, click on a pilot or ATC, a side-bar will open where you can click on the “Feedback” button, and then you will be directed to form that you need to complete. When leaving feedback, be as detailed as fair and detailed about the encounter as possible. Here are some example scenarios when submitting feedback may be warranted: If you felt a pilot or air traffic controller lacked knowledge critical to their position or rank. If someone transmitted non-critical information on a frequency designated for air traffic services. If you felt that an air traffic controller became overwhelmed or lost positive control of a situation. And more importantly, don’t forget to leave positive feedback when someone does a good job! Once feedback is submitted, it is reviewed by a team of professional Moderators and deidentified before being sent to the receiving user. Moderators use a series of tools to help them judge accountability during the review process such as replays and voice recordings. We do have some basic Feedback Policies that must be complied with, so make sure you review those before submitting feedback.

A: There are only a few ways of earning POSCON Points currently implemented: Earning Points: Receiving positive feedback will earn you Quality Points (the amount is dependent on the rating). Positive feedback is defined as a feedback receiving an “Excellent” or “Good” score. Moderators can also award points as a result of an “Okay” feedback rating if they feel inclined to do so. Completing computer-based training modules will earn you Quality Points (the amount is dependent on the CBT). Filing and activating a flight plan will earn the pilot Reliability Points. This feature is available automatically in both the live and ghost modes. If flying a trig leg using the Trips System, Reliability Points will be awarded based on the length of the flight. ATC also have the ability to earn Reliability Points through the ATC booking system. Losing Points: Both Pilots and ATC can lose Quality Points by receiving negative feedback. Negative feedback is defined as a feedback receiving a “Poor” or “Terrible” score. Moderators can also subtract points as a result of an “Okay” feedback rating if they feel inclined to do so. ATC can lose Reliability Points for a number of different reasons (reference the ATC Scheduling Policy). Some examples include: Failing to book and signing into a position Modifying the start time of a booking Cancelling a booking No showing a booking Finishing early Other methods for losing POSCON Points will be implemented in later beta releases.

A: The user ranking system is essentially an online reputation system that ensures quality is maintained throughout all network activity. POSCON determines pilot and air traffic controller ranks by analyzing a variety of sources, including feedback from other members. These rankings are based on POSCON Points, which are categorized into Quality and Reliability. Quality Points are those points that are earned by demonstrating excellent operating procedures and professionalism while connected to POSCON. Reliability Points are those points that are earned by being an active participant in online activities such as showing up for scheduled flights, being on time, etc. Each category is averaged to form the user’s total ranking and a user’s rank on the network enables eligibility for various benefits such as eligibility to apply for staff positions and eligibility to participate in special network sanctioned events. Points can be accrued while connected to POSCON in both the live and ghost modes. Points can be lost in any mode. An exception to this is you cannot lose points until you connect at least once in the live mode. Periodically, POSCON will reset all users' points in order to level the playing field. After these resets, all users’ ranks remain in place, but since all point spreads have been cleared, users’ must defend their ranks by flying and earning points once again. You can view your score by visiting the Leaderboard (use the User Experience button to toggle between Pilot and ATC) or you can view your score on your user profile page.

A: The support flight simulator platforms are: Microsoft Flight Simulator X Lockheed Martin Prepar3D (all versions) Laminar Research X-Plane 11 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020

A: All network policies can be found in the Policies section of our Documents system.

A: No! POSCON is 100% free to join and use.

A: Any registered user may connect to POSCON as a pilot if they meet the terms of the Minors Policy. Once registered, you will receive an email to the email address we have on file with details on how to connect. Those users wishing to connect as POSCON ATC must first fill out this application in order to be eligible to be invited to the ATC program.

This is a non-profit operated in United States of America and organized under 26 CFR Section 1.501(c)(3)-1 which allows for tax exempted status. It is classified as an educational non-profit and maintains a management and development staff consisting of mostly volunteers permitted under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The NPO owns all of the network infrastructure and all network operations are conducted under it's umbrella. As a registered NPO, the Positive Control Network reserves the right to earn revenue for sustainability purposes; any revenue earned is spent in furtherance of the network's infrastructure. While staff are legally permitted to earn salaries, currently no member of the staff earns a salary from POSCON. Below is the Positive Control Network NPO Reporting Chart. For a list of who holds current positions, please visit our About Us page. If necessary, there may be multiple Air Operations Managers and ATC Training Managers to support strategic groupings of POSCON Divisions. For more information on which Divisions belong to which groups, please see Policies > Network > Divisions > Arrangement

Positive Control was founded on the idea of re-envisioning the way an online flight simulation network should be managed and developed. To that end, we have spent a considerable amount of time, effort, and money to create the absolute best organizational structure for our members. We are very proud of what we have created and we believe that our structure should instill a high degree of confidence in the legitimacy of this network. The Positive Control organization is divided into two separate entities; a non-profit organization (NPO) and a limited liability company (LLC). The NPO is referred to as "Positive Control Network NPO" and the LLC is referred to as "Positive Control LLC".

Submitting Feedback is never required but is highly encouraged because it helps in the learning and development process of the POSCON membership. Here are some example scenarios when submitting Feedback may be warranted: If you feel a pilot or air traffic controller lacks knowledge critical to their position or rank. If a pilot or air traffic controller is transmitting non-critical information on a frequency that is designated for air traffic services only. If you feel that an air traffic controller is overwhelmed and loses positive control of a situation. If a controller or pilot is not communicating properly or is not following specified procedures. And most importantly, don’t forget to leave positive feedback when someone did a good job!

3o.5.1 Usage. These procedures may only be initiated when the non-compliant pilot is within Controlled Airspace and only by the ATC whose airspace the pilot begins the deviating in. The only exception to this rule is if the pilot has established two-way communication in Uncontrolled Airspace and has been issued a control instruction accordance with the Early Issuance of Control Instructions policy outlined above. 3o.5.2 Procedure. ATC must attempt each step in following procedure before using self-help moderation methods (e.g. Compliance Timer or Report Issue): Tactfully reverify the control instruction with the pilot. If the pilot is logged into CPDLC, attempt to send the control instruction via CPDLC in case there is a language barrier. If compliance cannot be achieved within a reasonable amount of time, then proceed to step 2. Will the pilot deviation cause an issue with other live traffic now or in the near future? If NO, then continue to monitor pilot's progress. File negative feedback for the pilot regarding the pilot deviation. If YES, then move to the procedures outlined in the Self-Help Moderate Methods methods.

Refer to Division SOPs and LOAs for appropriate staffing and combining procedures for top-down service in the Division. 3o.8.1 Unstaffed Sectors. ATC are required to provide top-down services to all unstaffed sectors and facilities below the current sector/facility that they are controlling. For example, you are are staffing KJFK Tower and both JFK Ground and KJFK Clearance Delivery are offline. In this case, you are responsible for providing KJFK Ground and KJFK Clearance Delivery services as well as KJFK Tower. The same concept applies if you are controlling an Enroute position with no ATC online below you. You must control the Enroute position in addition to any other Approach and Towers that may exist below you in the FIR. See Top-Down Service Frequency Usage policy for more information. 3o.8.2 Adjacent Sectors. ATC are not permitted to provide top-down air traffic services to adjacent sectors, facilities, or frequencies that are not specifically authorized in the Division's SOPs and LOAs.

3g.3.1 Encountering Errors. While POSCON is out of beta, ATC development will continue for many years to come. There are currently no restrictions on streaming our ATC software; however, users granted ATC authorization that choose to stream are expected to use their voice in a positive manner when experiencing any kind of bug on the Positive Control Network. In other words, please do not accentuate any issue encountered while using the network and remind viewers that POSCON ATC is still a work in progress. Also, it would be extremely helpful if you could contact us directly about any bug you experience so that it can be rectified as soon as possible. 3g.3.2 Conduct. POSCON expects ATC users to always behave in a professional manner while on the network, especially while producing content that represents ATC portion of this network.

3o.3.1 AIP Standards. Per 3g.2.1, real-world AIP rules and regulations shall be followed by air traffic controllers at all times. Each Division Manager is permitted to submit a formal request to POSCON to approve certain deviations from real-world procedures. If approved, then those approved deviations will be listed in the respective Division page. Some examples of possible deviations include: The ability to issue clearances into closed/inactive airports. The ability to utilize closed runways and/or taxiways. The ability to utilize inactive navigational equipment, charts, and routes. The following deviations are globally approved for all Divisions: The ability to provide service to pilots during times when a real-world air traffic control facility is normally closed (operating times). The ability to provide VFR clearances to pilots during instrument meteorological conditions. 3o.3.2 Weather. Per 3o.9, controllers must use real-world weather to determine airport/airspace configurations and traffic patterns. Per 8g.2.9, pilots must use real-world/real-time winds aloft and atmospheric pressure settings, but can deviate from other weather conditions so long as the deviation does not interfere with air traffic operations. In the case of a pilot requesting a unique airport/airspace configuration due to a custom weather setting, the controller may accommodate the pilot workload and traffic permitting at the controller's discretion.

3o.2.1 Definition. When an air traffic controller intentionally denies service to a pilot on POSCON when the same service would normally be provided to the pilot in the real-world under the same set of circumstances. 3o.2.2 Policy. In general, denial of service to pilots is not permitted for any reason. The only exception to this rule is if a pilot declares an emergency and, due to workload the controller is unable to handle the emergency, the controller is permitted to ask the pilot to ghost.

3s.1 Policy. Controllers are required to schedule (book) their ATC sessions here: https://hq.poscon.net/membership/controller/booking/create Controllers must accomplish this before each session. The server will automatically deny any Sign-In attempt if there is no booking or if the current time is greater than 10 minutes prior to the booking start time. 3s.2 Other Booking Rules. In addition to the above policy, controllers must comply with the following: Make sure you show up for the scheduled time and you are online for a minimum of 90% of the scheduled time. Minimum time to book a position for is one hour. Maximum time to book a position for is eight hours. Additional hours must be added as a separate booking. Make sure to update your current booking or add a new booking if you plan on staying on longer than anticipated. Keep the "Additional Notes" section professional. 3s.3 Exemptions. Any user with Development Access can Sign-In to any position on POSCON without a booking.

3g.1.1 Obtaining ATC Role. Access to the Radar Client is restricted to those members with the ATC role in their profile. This role can be obtained one of two ways: By visiting any Division on the Divisions List and clicking the "Become an ATC" button; or By the POSCON Director of Training granting the role after the user completes the POSCON ATC Application for Non-Division Members. Once the role is granted, two things will happen: The option to download the Radar Client will become available in the Launcher Client. If you are unable to download the Radar Client after this role is granted, you may need to log out and back into the Launcher Client. The "POSCON ATC Onboarding" computer-based training module will be assigned. 3g.1.2 Obtaining Authority Authorization. Obtaining the ATC role only gets you as far as being able to download the Radar Client and take the "POSCON ATC Onboarding" CBT. Before you are able to Sign-In to any position, you must first obtain at least one Authority (Division) authorization. This Authority authorization can be obtained a few different ways, depending on whether you desire to join an Active Division or Inactive Division. To see which Divisions are active vs. inactive, see the Divisions List. To obtain authorization to control within an Active Division: Visit the Divisions List, click on the active division you wish to join. Click on the "Join as ATC" button. Take any onboarding training CBT or evaluation that the division offers. To obtain authorization to control within an Inactive Division: Authority authorization is granted manually by the Director of Training or his designee upon completion of the POSCON ATC Onboarding CBT. Please allow at least 24 hours for this authorization to be processed after the completion of the CBT. If you still have not obtained the proper authorization after 24 hours, send an email to [email protected] and advise him that you have completed the training module. To check what authorizations you have, please visit your Profile > ATC Approvals section: You can filter your authorizations by clicking the filters button in the top left corner of the table. This will allow you to search by column headers: Each sector has four roles available to users: Data, Radar, Instructor, and Supervisor. If you have authorization for a role, it will be indicated with a green check-mark.