Evan Reiter

Welcome to our new website and forums! As you've been reading about over the past few months, this launch represents the culmination of hours, days, and weeks of effort by our webmaster Szymon Puzdrowski. Szymon has been working tirelessly, mostly on aspects of the site we as members will never see, but we will take advantage of on an almost daily basis. To do this, he has moved his computer from home to the office, and avoided controlling on the network to get everything done. I hope you will join me in offering thanks to Szymon, and the others on the Administration Team, who have made this new site possible! Please take a few moments to look around and orient yourself to the new site. As of this launch, there are now four main components of the website, all of which are tied together through VATSIM's Single Sign On: The landing page, accessible from www.bvartcc.com. This page is designed for non-member pilots looking for information about our community, and for prospective members who want to join. The main website and forums, where you are now. Before, our website and forums were two separate systems, with separate logins and databases. Now, you're able to access the forums alongside information from the website like events, the ATC Timetable, Pilot Ratings Program flights, downloads, and more -- all in one place. The new technology we have will enable future integrations with Discord and TeamSpeak, too. Project Lindbergh, a new system that streamlines air traffic control training. Controllers will be able to request training, view progress, and submit test corrections all through the new system. Controllers should check their email for more information about this component of the website. FlyBVA, where you can find a live map showing flights across the ARTCC, charts, and more. Beginning today, you'll be able to login to all four of these systems using your VATSIM credentials: the same information you use to login to the VATSIM network or website. Once you have been authenticated through VATSIM's Single Sign On, you'll have full access to the website if you are a BVA member. You will no longer need a BVA Username or unique/BVA password for access. (Please note: we have migrated user accounts from our old forums. If you didn't have a forum account, or you haven't logged into our old forums within the past year, you'll need to reclaim your account. Information on how to do this is available when you click the "Sign In" button.) Using newer technology has also allowed us to transition our website and forums off the ISP that has been providing hosting services for many years. This will result in much less website and forum downtime than we have had in the past. As you can imagine, converting the many existing forum posts, users, and website content was a large undertaking. We know there will be some bugs that need fixing, a few items we still need to clean up over the next couple of days. The current list of known issues includes: We are still in the process of transitioning information and sign-ups for events (like the Regional Circuit) to the new website. This will be available in the coming days. The Pilot Timetable was not something we could convert directly to the new system. In our recent review of underused aspects of the community, it was identified that the Pilot Timetable receives very little usage from our existing members. (By comparison, the ATC Timetable, which has been migrated, is used almost daily.) As a result, we have elected not to convert the Pilot Timetable at this time. We encourage members to use Discord and TeamSpeak to coordinate group flights. We're happy to look at the addition of a Pilot Timetable again if members identify this as a feature they would like to see restored. Controllers are currently not able to submit Pilot Safety Reports. These will be added to the Lindbergh portion of the website in the coming days. The Notification Setting "send me news and information" does not actually do anything, nor will unchecking it unsubscribe you from the community. We are working on removing this setting. We will update this list as additional issues are identified. Because of the change in domains, we expect there to be several URLs and links that are no longer pointing to the correct place...and we're hoping you can help find them! As a thank you, the member who finds the most broken URLs on our website will win a prize of their choice from the Boston Tea Party prizes (these include items from Aerosoft, HiFi, Orbx, QualityWings, RealityXP, REX Simulations, and Thrustmaster). Please see this post for more information. In addition, we recommend you take a moment to edit your profile and (if you wish) include a cover and avatar photo. You can view this information by hovering over your name in the top right corner of the forums, and choosing the "Profile" link. You can also check your "Account Settings" (accessible from the same menu) to set your signature and choose notification and other preferences. We look forward to your feedback on the new website! This site is much more adaptable to changes than we have had in the past. Issues, changes, things you like -- please, post here so we can continue to build a website and forum system that will serve the community for years to come.

As discussed on the forums and in the July Logan Informer, we are in the process of launching a new website and forum system for the community. To support the transition, the existing forums will be offline beginning tomorrow (June 29). The main website (www.bvartcc.com) will be offline beginning Sunday, June 30. We expect the new website and forums to be live by the end of the day on Monday, July 1. During the website migration process, you may be able to access portions of the new and old website. However, some features and links will be unusable. You will receive an email once the system is online and stable. For members who have an active forum account, your information will be transitioned over to the new system, allowing you to login seamlessly using your existing VATSIM CID and password. For those who don't, information about how to register for the new website will be sent to your BVA member email address. If you have any questions, please connect with us on Discord or TeamSpeak, or email evanr@bvartcc.com.

Congratulations!

Welcome aboard!

Hey, an RQ survivor...welcome to the team!

Nothing to keep quiet about here! Congratulations SH.

Way to beat off Josh's, I'm sure, hard OTS. Congrats, and welcome!

Well done!

Excellent work! And don't be upset with Jay's comments...that's as positive/optimistic as he gets.

Update: the final Ground School seminar, covering RNAV Procedures, takes place on April 18 at 7pm ET.

Welcome aboard!

Update: the next two sessions, on IFR Approaches, are scheduled for the next two Mondays (March 11 and March 18) at 7pm ET.

If you use the FlyTampa KBOS scenery, then there is no need to use our scenery, and in fact you shouldn't because the two will conflict. However, I can't speak to whether George has updated the FlyTampa scenery to include the new taxiway yet.

Boston's Logan International Airport (KBOS) recently commissioned taxiway 'C1', near the approach end of Runway 33L: We are proud to announce the new taxiway has been added to our freeware scenery updates for FSX, FSX:SE, and all versions of Prepar3D. Now, simulator pilots can taxi past C1 and go to the full length, just like they do with everyone in real life! (Who am I kidding, people will just take the unauthorized intersection anyway.) If you currently use the BVA update in your simulator, we recommend you update. The update process is: Navigate to your simulator's Addon Scenery folder location. For most users, this is located within the root directory of your simulator's installation. For Prepar3D v4 users, this is Documents\Prepar3D v4 Add-ons. Remove the "BVA Add-on Scenery" folder (Prepar3D v4) or the BVA_KBOS folder (all other users). Re-download the appropriate scenery file from our Required Software page, and follow the included installation instructions. You will know the update worked if you see the new taxiway "C1" as shown in the image above. If anyone has any questions about the update process or is in need of assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out. If you are posting for help, please include the version of your simulator so I know where to direct you.

Welcome! Looking forward to working with you.

Update: the next session (Holds) has been scheduled for March 4 at 7pm ET. Additionally, we have posted PDF versions of the presentations used in all of our previous sessions.

Yeah, I know that one was too easy...but it's also super relevant. Here we are at 1:45am welcoming our newest Class C Ground controller: Nick Ovitt (OT). Nick recently passed his OTS at PWM_GND, and looks forward to working with pilots on the network.

Update: the next session (Oceanic Procedures) has been scheduled for February 25 at 7pm ET.

Since all the puns were stolen in GL's earlier thread, I'm really strugGLing to find a way to announce that Andre Giel (GL) is our newest Class B Ground controller! Good thing GL wasn't struggling; quite the opposite. We started out on the Class B Ground Off-Peak Authorization, but GL handled on-peak level traffic like a pro and as a result has been given the full-on Class B Ground certification. Enjoy Boston! We'll see you on Tower soon enough.

Thanks to everyone who attended tonight's session. Please join us for the next one on January 24 at 7pm ET as we discuss IFR Clearances.

For those interested, survey results have been published here: https://bit.ly/2QFHUGF.

Yes, I did just pun controlling initials on a chemistry word to celebrate that Josh Nunn (NU) is our newest Center controller! And in case you're wondering what nucleophilicity means, thefreedictionary.com provides the helpful definition as: "The quality of being nucleophilic" And just in case THAT doesn't clear it up, it's a chemistry term that talks about an affinity to positive charge. And it's very much applicable to a person who exemplifies the positive, energetic attitude we hope for in all our ATC students. Bringing hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm to training sessions -- and the network -- is a great way to approach ATC online, and life. Each training accomplishment should be recognized, but the promotion to C1 is a particularly special achievement for what it represents. Although training is never truly done, and Josh is currently authorized to work during "off-peak" periods of traffic only, the privilege of working Center on the network really is reserved for the best students we see. It's a large airspace, and a LOT of responsibility ( ?). While we pride ourselves on moving controllers through our training program quickly, the student's individual involvement, dedication, and passion for ATC is what really drives them through the training process. To that end, it's incredible to think that Josh began his training on February 20, 2018 with Mentor Andrew Miller, and completed his S1 OTS on Class C Ground 3 sessions later on March 13, 2018. Yesterday, nine months less a day later, we approved his C1 (Center) rating. You two could have had a baby together by now...well, maybe not quite. In addition, and in what is probably record-setting, it took Josh less than 3 months to get from the first radar rating (S3 on September 16) to his C1. All of this is particularly impressive given that Josh comes to us without a background in real-world flying. When we certify a new Center controller, I always like to take the time to review the student's training record and see what our Training Staff has had to say over the years (or, in Josh's case, months). I think you'll identify the theme pretty quickly: Josh, congratulations on your Center certification, welcome to the biggest of the big leagues. We trust you will enjoy your newest license to learn, and VATSIM's pilot community will appreciate the additional coverage we're now able to provide. And I'll start working with my therapist on preparing myself to hear you say "your control, NU" when I want to slide in under you on position.

I'm pleased to share that William Guisbond (GD) passed his Class B Approach OTS, allowing him to control Boston Approach at all times, without supervision. (I was going to write "without adult supervision" but really when do we ever have adults on?) This is also the gateway to the next step: Center. Congratulations Will!

STOP USING ALL THE "GL" PUNS! What am I going to do when I train him for Approach???

ZBW is currently seeking a Social Media Manager, who will help keep our organization connected to the community through the use of interactive social media platforms. As is the case with our position postings for Training Administrator and Events Coordinator, this position is available to any member of VATSIM. Key Accountabilities • Report to BVA Webmaster • Hold the primary responsibility for existing Boston Virtual ARTCC social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube • Develop and distribute (via social media, website, etc.) marketing material (graphics, news posts, forum posts, event banners) to promote events, the ARTCC, and the community • Maintain a high online presence • Other duties as assigned by Senior Staff • Function as an Administrator and attends bi-monthly meetings Requirements • Active member on the network in good standing with a clean history • Capable of working well in team-oriented environment • Excellent written and oral communication skills • Access to and strong ability with Microsoft Office suite, including PowerPoint and Word Preferred Skills • Prior ATC Mentor/Instructor experience • Leadership, managerial, or supervisory experience • Prior social media management experience • Prior graphic design (banners, flyers, etc.) experience • Access to graphic design program such as Adobe Photoshop How to Apply Candidates can expect an initial evaluation of their application after which they may be contacted for a comprehensive interview. Prospective applicants shall submit a letter of application, which provides answers to the following questions: 1. Why are you interested in this position? 2. How will you balance the time commitment required for administrative activities with any training and/or controlling you currently do on the network? 3. What’s one thing about yourself that we should know, but don’t already know? 4. What do you imagine being part of ARTCC senior staff is like? 5. What do you wish to get out of the role you have applied to? 6. What experience do you have with Photoshop, Illustrator, HTML/CSS, and similar graphic design and computer software? If you have a portfolio of sample work, please include that information in the letter. The letter of application shall also include your name, CID, and current VATSIM rating. The letter of application shall not exceed 1 page. Applications should be submitted to Evan Reiter, Community Manager (evanr@bvartcc.com) by November 30. Following the receipt of your application, successful candidates will be invited to an interview with the Administration Team. During the interview, candidates will: 1. Be presented with a fictitious FNO event, and be asked to draft and share a plan for how the event would be promoted through social media 2. Be asked to explain how—in a month with no events—the candidate would use social media to keep an audience engaged. Specifically, the applicant will be asked to identify or brainstorm posts, shares, and other content to keep social media profiles active