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Introduction to ATC exams
Members on IVAO are rated; that means that every member on IVAO network has an ATC and/or pilot rating. It is possible for all members to request exams and get new ratings. This section is available for canadian members of IVAO who are planning to pass ATC exams in the division. If you are planning to study and prepare yourself for an exam, please read the following page to learn more about the exam and the material you should study to be fully ready. Remember that you can use training material as reference during your exams but you should know and understand the important stuff. Do not expect to pass a theoretical exam without studying and trying only to search in manuals for answers. You have limited time during theoretical exams.
About practical exams for advanced ratings: IVAO HQ provides all divisions of IVAO with standards to perform practical exams. That way, all exams are similar in nature and fair to all applicants. IVAO Canada follows these standards for all exams. However, we have local standards and procedures added on the top of worldwide standards. Therefore, in order to pass an exam in Canada, you must have the knowledge of how aviation works in the country, and you need to know correctly our local procedures and use the proper phraseology. Our standards are higher then HQ standards to ensure a high quality of ATC service from coast to coast. Please note how good you are, some events can result in an exam failure: takeoff and landing clearances when another traffic on runway, loss of separation, applicant not coming to the exam...
The official website for the IVAO (HQ) training and exams is located here: http://www.ivao.aero/training/
To request an ATC exam, click here. For theoretical exams, you can write them immediately if you have the requirements. For practical exams, you need to indicate where you want to do your exam with your availabilities. Your examiner will then contact you via e-mail to arrange the date / time and give you specific indications on your exam.
Practical exams policy
IVAO Canada has implemented a policy to normalize all our ATC and pilot practical exams. It will also increase our rates of success.
Effective July 9th 2010, this is the new procedure for ATC and pilot practical exams on IVAO Canada to be followed.
- All active members will be provided with training upon request. A “training” is considered to be an online session between a training staff member and one or more member of the division, where the staff member will teach the required knowledge to the students and practice their skills;
- (For ATC): Any member applying for a practical exam in Canada MUST have frequently controlled in Canada before the exam and must continue to frequently control in Canada after the exam (failure or success);
- Any member applying for a practical exam must have received online training at least once in the last three (3) months;
- When the member is ready for the exam, a training staff member must recommend the member for his exam and forward a recommendation letter to the division HQ or the examiner;
- At the examiner’s discretion, a pre-exam check might be required, which will consist of reproducing the exam conditions and member will be evaluated in a similar way as he would be during the actual exam. This will help assess if the member is ready for the exam;
- When all the above conditions are met, member will be allowed to do his practical exam.
- In case of exam failure, in addition to the standard waiting time established by IVAO HQ, member will have to receive additional mandatory training before they can apply for the exam again, and a training staff member will have to issue a new recommendation letter. It might be decided that the member needs a certain number of hours online that exceeds the IVAO HQ requirements before member can apply for the exam. A new pre-exam check could also be required at examiner’s discretion. The minimum additional mandatory training required is the following:
- For controllers: five (5) hours of online training.
- For pilots: two (2) hours of online training.
If a member applies for a practical exam without following this procedure, the exam will not happen until member receives proper training and is ready for the exam.
Basic ratings
Here is a table of the basic ATC ratings on IVAO.
Distinguish |
Title |
Requirements |
|---|---|---|
 |
ATC Applicant | Rating given when applying for membership. |
 |
ATC Trainee | Rating automatically achieved after 10 hours online as a controller. |
 |
Advanced ATC Trainee | Rating requires at least 25 hours online as a controller and a successful theoretical IvAc test. |
ATC Applicant: this rating is automatically given to every new IVAO member interested in controlling.
ATC Trainee: this rating is automatically given when member controlled online for 10 hours.
Advanced ATC Trainee: this rating is given when member controlled online for 25 hours, and has passed the theoretical IvAc test. IvAc is the software used for controlling on IVAO network. It provides a radar screen to see aircraft online in an area. In order to get this rating, member has to pass the online test to proove he is competent in using the controlling software. The test contains questions on the software and the functions that can be used, but also contains general questions about the weather, rules and regulations of IVAO, abbreviations in aviation, and other. Here is a partial list of material you should study to pass the test sucessfully:
- IvAc manual: the manual is available in your IvAc folder on your computer. It contains probably around 70% of the information required to pass the exam.
- IVAO Academy, the Bare basics: this section of IVAO Academy explains the basics of aviation. You should concentrate your studying on Connecting instructions, the rest for your personal knowledge. The IVAO Academy provides ICAO (International) information. Therefore, be advised that some information might be different in Canada.
- IVAO Academy, METAR and TAF: this section of IVAO Academy explains how to decode weather information.
- Aviation glossary: to be used as reference.
- IVAO Rules and Regulations: all members of IVAO must be familiar with these rules.
Advanced ratings
Here is a table of the advanced ATC ratings on IVAO. See below for detailed information on each rating.
| Rating | Title | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
 |
Aerodrome Controller |
|
 |
Approach Controller DEP / APP |
|
 |
Center Controller CTR |
|
Aerodrome Controller rating
The Aerodrome Controller rating is a proof that the member is fully competent to control a control tower position (DEL/GND/TWR positions). The requirements are shown in the table above.
The theoretical exam
The theoretical exam will ask you questions about operations of the tower:
- All the knowledge required for the Advanced ATC Trainee rating;
- Traffic management: how to manage situations with multiple aircraft at the same time in the airport control zone (IFR and VFR). This requires understanding of how an airport works, aircraft capabilities and online practice;
- Give IFR clearances: understand the use of IFR clearances, the elements it contains, when/how to give the clearances and to who;
- Taxi instructions: how to give efficient instructions;
- Landing and takeoff clearances: how to issue clearances safely, immediate departures, intersection departures, separation between aircraft, how to operate the runways and the control zone;
- Classes of airspace;
- How to read all the charts available for an airport.
Here is a partial list of material you should study to pass the Aerodrome Controller theoretical exam:
- All the material required for the Advanced ATC Trainee;
- IVAO Academy, On and Around the Airfield: this section of IVAO Academy explains in detail the 3 control positions of the Aerodrome Controller rating (Clearance delivery, ground, tower) and also gives information about VFR traffic. The IVAO Academy provides ICAO (International) information. Therefore, be advised that some information might be different in Canada;
- IVAO Academy, More Information: this section of IVAO Academy provides additional information on coordination with other controllers, traffic information, etc.. good knowledge to acquire!
- IVAO Academy, Emergencies: this section of IVAO Academy provides information on emergency situations;
- IVAO Academy, Miscellaneous: this section of IVAO Academy provides various information. We recommand you to read especially the sections on Charts, Wake turbulence and Altimeter;
- IVAO Canada ATC guidelines: general guidelines for all controllers in Canada;
- IVAO Canada ATC Standard Procedures: you need to know the sections for Clearance, Apron/Ground and Tower positions;
- IVAO Canada ATC VFR Course: online course for the DEL/GND/TWR positions;
- IVAO Canada Airspaces: document on types of airspaces in Canada;
- IVAO Canada ATC phraseology guide: useful to know, but especially precious for all practical exams.
The practical exam
The practical exam will test your capabilities to operate a control tower of a large airport (DEL/GND/TWR positions). The exam is approximately 2 hours depending on traffic. Here is what you can expect in the practical exam:
- IFR traffic departing / arriving;
- VFR traffic departing / arriving;
- IFR and VFR local traffic;
- VFR circuits;
- At least one text only pilot;
- At least one missed approach;
- At least one emergency situation.
Therefore, in order to control a control tower, you need to know at least how to do the following:
- Have the knowledge required for the Advanced ATC Trainee rating in order to be able to use IvAc software appropriately;
- Have the knowledge required to pass the theoretical exam of the Aerodrome Controller rating;
- Traffic management: manage situations with multiple aircraft at the same time in the airport control zone (IFR and VFR). This requires understanding of how an airport works, aircraft capabilities and online practice. You are expected to react safely when situations/problems happen with various aircraft operating in proximity;
- Use the canadian phraseology guide at ALL time during the exam;
- Issue IFR clearances with SID and without SID, correct flight plans if necessary.
- Give efficient taxi instructions;
- Landing and takeoff clearances: how to issue clearances safely, immediate departures, intersection departures, separation between aircraft, wake turbulence, how to operate the runways and the control zone (VFR traffic);
- Know how to handle a missed approach;
- Have and understand the charts of your airport, and you must know all local procedures related to it;
- Coordinate with adjacent controllers when you are required to;
- Determine runway(s) in use at your airport and set up the ATIS when you are a tower;
- Follow priorities of 1) Emergencies 2) Air traffic 3) Ground traffic;
- Fill flight strips correctly when issuing clearances;
- Understand and know how to use: Y/Z flight plans, SVFR, CVFR;
- Issue traffic information in the proper format;
- Know your traffic pattern.
For detailed information about the exam, please read the official exam document available here.
Approach Controller rating
The Approach Controller rating is a proof that the member is fully competent to control a terminal position (APP/DEP positions). The requirements are shown in the table above.
The theoretical exam
The theoretical exam will ask you questions about operations of the terminal:
- All the knowledge required for the Aerodrome Controller rating;
- Traffic management: how to manage situations with multiple aircraft in the terminal area, arriving, departing and transiting;
- Make sure you have worked a terminal position enough to be confortable before the exam;
- Know how to control aircraft: give altitudes, headings, speeds, approach clearances, etc .. in accordance with canadian and local procedures;
- Know about aircraft characteristics in detail;
- Know about airways and navaids;
- Know how to resolve conflicts;
- Classes of airspace;
- How to read all the charts available for all the major airports in your area of control and understand how to use them.
Here is a partial list of material you should study to pass the Approach Controller theoretical exam:
- All the material required for the Aerodrome Controller;
- IVAO Academy, Approach: this section of IVAO Academy explains in details the terminal (APP) position. To be read and studied, it explains a lot of important things! Remember that this information is based on ICAO. In Canada, approach positions don't really exist. They are called terminal, are divided into different sectors and control all traffic inside the terminal area (departing, arriving and transiting);
- Even tough IVAO Academy explains a lot, make sure you know how principal systems work (approaches) and how to manage traffic using altitudes, headings, speeds, etc. You need to be familiar with the position in practice to be able to complete the exam with success. In other words, you must be able to control a terminal, arriving and departing aircraft, clearing them for approaches, etc. to understand in a more practical way how things work and be able to do the written exam;
- IVAO Canada ATC Standard Procedures: you need to know the sections for Terminal position;
- IVAO Canada ATC IFR Course: online course for the APP/CTR positions (IFR). You only need to read the terminal (APP) section.
- IVAO Canada ATC phraseology guide: useful to know, but especially precious for all practical exams.
The practical exam
The practical exam will test your capabilities to operate a terminal of a large airport (APP/DEP positions). The exam is approximately 2 hours depending on traffic. Here is what you can expect in the practical exam:
- IFR traffic departing / arriving;
- Local traffic;
- At least one text only pilot;
- At least one missed approach;
- At least one emergency situation.
Even though there is no requirement to control VFR traffic during an Approach Controller exam, it could happen that VFR traffic will come. Make sure you know your VFR Terminal chart. Some areas around terminal airspaces are not controlled for VFRs.
Therefore, in order to control a terminal, you need to know at least how to do the following:
- Have the knowledge required for the Aerodrome Controller rating;
- Have the knowledge required to pass the theoretical exam of the Approach Controller rating;
- Traffic management: manage situations with multiple aircraft at the same time in the terminal area (IFR and VFR);
- Use the canadian phraseology guide at ALL time during the exam;
- Know how to handle a missed approach;
- Have and understand the charts of your airports, and you must know all local procedures related to them;
- Coordinate with adjacent controllers when you are required to;
- Follow priorities of 1) Emergencies 2) Air traffic 3) Ground traffic;
- Fill flight strips correctly when issuing instructions and clearances;
- Understand and know how to use: Y/Z flight plans, SVFR, CVFR;
- Know how to radar identify aircraft;
- Know how to give instructions (altitudes, headings, speeds) and issue clearances (holds, approaches..);
- Know how to provide radar vectors to the final approach;
- Know how to safely space aircraft in sequence;
- Issue traffic information in the proper format;
- Respect minimum altitudes.
For detailed information about the exam, please read the official exam document available here.
Centre Controller rating
The Centre Controller rating is a proof that the member is fully competent to control a centre position (CTR position). The requirements are shown in the table above. The major difference between APP and CTR positions is that CTR mostly controls enroute traffic at their cruise levels. He will also clear aircraft for initial descents, make sure there is no conflicts (converging routes at same altitudes, etc.). Of course, he is responsible for all terminals that are not manned by another controller inside his airspace. For that reason, the CTR must know the procedures for all airports inside his area (FIR) which makes it a very demanding position because of the size of the canadian area control centres.
The theoretical exam
The theoretical exam will ask you questions about operations of the centre:
- All the knowledge required for the Aerodrome and Approach Controller rating;
- Traffic management: how to manage situations with many aircraft in the centre area, resolving conflicts and spacing aircraft;
- Know how to control aircraft: give altitudes, headings, speeds, approach clearances, etc .. in accordance with canadian and local procedures;
- Know about aircraft characteristics in detail;
- Know about airways and navaids;
- Know the airports in your airspace, controlled and uncontrolled;
- Know how to work with uncontrolled airports that are equipped with IFR procedures;
- Know how to provide flight following to VFR traffic;
- Classes of airspace. Know your airspace. Many areas in Canada are uncontrolled (class G). Services to IFR and VFR are different depending on class of airspace;
- How to read all the charts and procedures available for all the major airports in your area of control and understand how to use them.
Here is a partial list of material you should study to pass the Centre Controller theoretical exam:
- All the material required for the Aerodrome and Approach Controller;
- IVAO Academy, En-route: this section of IVAO Academy explains the centre (CTR) position. To be read and studied, it explains a lot of important things! Remember that this information is based on ICAO. In Canada, some information might be different;
- Even tough IVAO Academy explains a lot, CTR position mostly is a very large terminal position. Except that you need to manage enroute traffic, accomodate pilots with altitude/route changes, expedite traffic, anticipate conflicts, etc. Centres in Canada welcome a lot of international traffic that is transiting mainly from/to the USA. It is important to speak English easily and provide a very high quality of service.
- IVAO Canada ATC Standard Procedures: you need to know the sections for Centre position;
- IVAO Canada ATC IFR Course: online course for the APP/CTR positions (IFR). You only need to read the centre (CTR) section.
- IVAO Canada ATC phraseology guide: useful to know, but especially precious for all practical exams.
The practical exam
The practical exam will test your capabilities to operate one of the seven (7) centre in Canada (CTR positions). The exam is approximately 2 to 3 hours depending on traffic. Here is what you can expect in the practical exam:
- Many aircraft flying enroute at the same time (minimum 10);
- Approach clearances at uncontrolled airports;
- At least one lost of communication enroute;
- At least one emergency situation.
This test is mainly a demonstration of a controller's ability to handle large numbers of aircraft en route whilst maintaining separation and ensuring all traffic is expedited during a fly-in.
Even though there is no requirement to control VFR traffic during an Centre Controller exam, it could happen that VFR traffic will come and request flight following. Make sure you know your airspace very well and make sure you know what services you can provide and how to do it.
Therefore, in order to control a centre, you need to know at least how to do the following:
- Have the knowledge required for the Aerodrome and Approach Controller rating;
- Have the knowledge required to pass the theoretical exam of the Centre Controller rating;
- Traffic management: manage situations with multiple aircraft at the same time in the area control centre (mostly IFR);
- Use the canadian phraseology guide at ALL time during the exam;
- Have and understand the charts of your airports, and you must know all local procedures related to them;
- Coordinate with adjacent controllers when you are required to;
- Follow priorities of 1) Emergencies 2) Air traffic 3) Ground traffic;
- Fill flight strips correctly when issuing instructions and clearances;
- Understand and know how to use: Y/Z flight plans, SVFR, CVFR;
- Know how to radar identify aircraft;
- Know how to give instructions (altitudes, headings, speeds) and issue clearances (holds, approaches..);
- Know how to safely space aircraft in sequence;
- Issue traffic information in the proper format;
- Know your airspace very well;
- Correct cruise altitudes / flight levels depending on direction of flight;
- Respect minimum altitudes.
For detailed information about the exam, please read the official exam document available here.
High level ratings
High level ratings are very specific and rare on IVAO. To learn more about these ratings, please check the IVAO HQ Training department.