1. PURPOSE:

This Letter of Agreement (LOA) sets forth the administrative procedures for the VATSIM Oakland Oceanic Flight Information Region and the associated FSS Position. It shall NOT encompass operational ATC procedures, which are to be set forth in the associated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Operational LOA. This LOA is in force between the member ARTCCs / FIRs of the Oakland Oceanic FIR Facility Advisory Board, and VATUSA, as represented by the Western Region Director.

2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Offices of Primary Responsibility (OPR) for this LOA is the KZAK Facility Advisory Board (FAB).

3. DISTRIBUTION:

This LOA is intended for use by the administrators of Oakland Oceanic FIR and as a reference to controller training for, or staffing, the Oakland Oceanic FSS Position.

4. BACKGROUND:

This LOA, when in effect, shall supercede any and all previous agreements between ARTCCs regarding the administration of the Oakland Oceanic FIR. However, this LOA shall be superceded by published VATSIM and VATUSA policies in effect, should there be any conflict between the two. This LOA is established to set forth procedures for administering and supervising the Oakland Oceanic FIR. This LOA was adopted by Jeff Clark for ZLA, Jim Bartosh for ZOA, and Dane Penington for VATUSA on 15 OCT 02.

5. ADMINSTRATIVE POLICIES:

5a. FSS Facility Leader, Development of Policy and Procedures and Facility Advisory Board

(1).  An Oakland FIR Facility Advisory Board (FAB) shall be established consisting of the ARTCC Chief (or his representative) of each “participating” ARTCC/FIR. 

(2). VATUSA shall appoint a Facility Leader who shall, in consultation with the FAB, manage the facility. The Facility Leader shall serve at discretion of VATUSA or until resigning by notification to VATUSA.

(3). The FIR Facility Leader shall establish and approve all policies, procedures and amendments thereto, concerning the Oakland Oceanic FIR, with consultation from the FAB members, and consent of VATUSA.

(4). The FIR Facility Leader shall be responsible for the maintenance of the FIR facility web site and the publishing of associated information and materials. The FIR Facility Leader may delegate these tasks, or appoint support staff, as he sees appropriate.

(5). The FIR Facility Leader may invite other ARTCCs whose airspace is adjacent to the Oakland Oceanic FIR airspace to become “participating members” at his discretion. The FIR Leader may also remove an ARTCC from membership with the consent of VATUSA, should that ARTCC’s contribution be determined as ineffective. ARTCC Chiefs may resign from the FAB by notification to the Facility Leader.

(6) The current Facility Leader, participating ARTCCs, and FAB members are:

Jim Bartosh, ZOA ARTCC, FIR Facility Leader

David Hendleman, ZLA ARTCC, FAB Member.

Brandon Lee, Honolulu Control Facility, FAB Member.

Dane Penington, VATUSA Western RD, FAB Member.

James Pheibush, Anchorage ARTCC, FAB Member.

5b. Certification of Controllers, Position Staffing, Enforcement

(1). Controllers must be certified to work the Oakland Oceanic FSS Position. Certification will consist of an exam, as established by the FIR Facility Leader, which tests applicable knowledge of non-radar and related ATC procedures, as well as familiarity with applicable SOPs and LOAs as published on the Oakland Oceanic website.

(2). Controllers need no particular ARTCC/FIR affiliation to be eligible for certification. They shall not be required to become “visiting controllers” of any ARTCC adjacent to the Oakland Oceanic airspace.

(3). In accordance with VATSIM Executive Committee policy on global rating restrictions, controllers must be rated S-3 or above to operate the FSS position.

(4). The FIR Facility Leader shall insure a list of certified controllers is maintained and accessible from the web site.

(5). FIR Facility Leader may rescind the oceanic certification of any controller should he determine that controller is not complying with applicable procedures or policies.

(6). FIR Facility Leader shall be responsible to establish staffing plans of the Oakland Oceanic Position during scheduled events.

(7). Enforcement of Oakland Oceanic FIR policies and procedures shall be executed by VATSIM Network Supervisors per routine VATUSA/VATSIM policy.

(8). Controllers may be removed from the roster if they have not manned the FSS position for more than 30 minutes within a six month period, as indicated by VATSIM network user statistics.

5c. Instruction

(1). Anyone holding an “Instructor” rating, regardless of ARTCC/FIR affiliation, who has themselves meet the oceanic certification described in 5b(1), may give supervised instruction to oceanic students on oceanic procedures and towards obtaining oceanic certification.

(2). The FIR Facility Leader may delegate testing authority to particular instructors and thus permit them to certify controllers for the position per 5b(1). The FIR Facility Leader may remove such authority from any instructor at his discretion for cause.

END