How do I become an Air Traffic Controller assigned to Anchorage ARTCC?

How do I go about becoming a Visiting Controller?

I'm a new controller and I want to learn how to work a position other than Delivery. What do I do next?

Which controller do I contact if I want to take-off from an airport without a Tower controller online?

My Virtual Airline would like to have an event that involves Anchorage ARTCC, what should I do?

I'm a member of another ARTCC, but I would like to transfer to Anchorage ARTCC. What is involved?

I was a member of Anchorage ARTCC, but I was removed from the roster because I became INACTIVE. How do I join again?

Q: How do I become an Air Traffic Controller assigned to Anchorage ARTCC?

A: If you do not have a Pilot or Controller ID, then you need to go the the VATSIM web site at www.vatsim.net. Under the Member Services menu, click the link that says "Join Now". You will be guided through the process of setting up your membership. You must select The North American Region and the United States Division. If you don't, you won't receive a VATUSA password, and you won't be able to select Anchorage ARTCC as your assignment.

If you already have a Pilot ID issued by VATSIM and you have selected the North American Region and the United States Division, you can go to the VATUSA web site at www.vatusa.org. Follow the link on the Main Menu that says "New Members Click Here". You will need to pass the Basic/Observer test first. After you do, you will be asked to select an ARTCC assignment. You can select Anchorage ARTCC then. When prompted for our password, enter .

Q: How do I go about becoming a Visiting Controller?

A: Fill out the Visiting Controller form located HERE.. 

Please see our Policies page for more information.

Q: I'm a new controller and I want to learn how to work a position other than Delivery. What do I do next?

A: As a Student Controller assigned to the Anchorage ARTCC, you may request instruction from a member of our Instruction Staff. 

Q: Which controller do I contact if I want to take-off from an airport without a Tower controller online?

A: If you will be departing from ANC,  you must contact ATC if there is a controller online. Follow these steps:

1. If you are flying IFR and Clearance Delivery is online, contact the Delivery Controller to obtain an IFR clearance.
2. If you are flying VFR or IFR and a Ground Controller is online, contact the Ground controller. He will issue IFR departure clearances if a Delivery Controller is not online, and he will issue taxi instructions for all aircraft.
3. If you are flying VFR or IFR and a Tower Controller is online, contact the Tower controller. He will issue IFR departure clearances and taxi instruction if no lower controller is online. He will also issue take-off clearance for all aircraft.
4. If you are flying VFR or IFR and an Approach or Departure Controller is online, contact the Departure Controller first, then the Approach Controller. IFR departures will receive an IFR departure clearance, taxi instructions and takeoff clearance if no lower controller is online.
5. If you are flying VFR or IFR and the only controller online is a Center Control, the Center controller will provide full ATC service to aircraft departing from one of these five airports when no lower controller is online.

If you will be departing from any other airport within our airspace, there are three possible options:

1. If the weather conditions permit, you may depart VFR without a clearance from a controller.
2. If you will be flying IFR, you may also depart VFR and obtain your IFR clearance in the air from a Center Controller.
3. IFR departures may request an IFR clearance on the ground, but will not receive any taxi or takeoff instructions. The Center Controller will issue a departure release with a clearance-void time. You will be expected to report to the Center Controller when airborne.

Q: My Virtual Airline would like to have an event that involves Anchorage ARTCC, what should I do?

A: We welcome staffing requests from Virtual Airlines! If you represent a Virtual Airline, send an email to the Facility Chief approximately one month prior to your planned event. Depending on the size of your event, we will make ever effort to provide ATC staffing. If the event is particularly large, all of our full-performance controllers will be invited to reserve controller positions for the event.

If your staffing request comes at the last minute, or you feel may not involve many pilots, we would still be happy to post the event on our Events Calendar and announce it in our Controller's Forum.

Q: I'm a member of another ARTCC, but I would like to transfer to Anchorage ARTCC. What is involved?

A: Transfer requests are handled through the VATUSA web site at www.vatusa.org. Only controllers who are members of VATUSA may transfer. If you are not a member of VATUSA, you will need to transfer to the North American Region and the United States division before you can submit a transfer request for Anchorage ARTCC. Controllers who transfer to our ARTCC will be required to pass a Basic and SOP exam before the transfer request is approved. Controllers requesting to transfer must pass this exam within 2 weeks of making the transfer request. The controller may take the test only once each day, and will have a maximum of 5 attempts during the 14 day period to pass. Once the Basic and SOP exam is passed, the transfer will be approved if there are no other disqualifying issues. A new transfer controller will be restricted to Clearance Delivery until taking and passing the local position tests associated with his/her current rating. Please read our Policy page for complete information.

Q: I was a member of Anchorage ARTCC, but I was removed from the roster because I became INACTIVE. How do I join again?