In a post over on their website, VATSIM has commented on the new revised Pilot Rating System used to grade their pilots who use the online network.
VATSIM currently grades both pilots and air traffic controllers by the user’s experience and knowledge about their chosen area, but the revised system will be aligned with real-world operations and the natural progression of a pilot. With the alignment comes an all-new rating at level P0, this is to engage all new starters with the network and to ensure their level of competency is good enough to hit the ground running when they do connect for the first time. The new rating will be delivered by an automated training program and is designed to cover the basics and how to become a good VATSIM member, even before they sign into the network and also to build confidence in those existing members that might want to develop their initial skills. All existing members will automatically be awarded their P0 rating, this will enable user progression to P1 and above.
The new ratings for all pilots using the VATSIM network will be as follows;
- P0: Basic VATSIM Member
- P1: Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
- P2: Instrument Rating (IR)
- P3: Commercial Multi-Engine Licence (CMEL)
- P4: Airline Transport Licence (ATPL)
If you are an existing pilot with a rating higher than P1 currently, you will be awarded the most relevant rating within the new system. If you are currently a P1 rated pilot, you will achieve the new P0 rating as P1 is achieved with no flying skills, only a theory examination.
If you are currently at P2/3 you will be granted P1 (PPL) from June 1st as only VFR skills and knowledge are examined for the original rating.
Finally, if you have achieved either P4 or P5 ratings you will be granted P2 (IR) as you will have been observed using IFR flight rules. If you are a P5 rated pilot you should get into contact with your Authorised Training Organisation (ATO) to see if you can be awarded the P3 rating as this is only offered by particular ATO’s.
The revised pilot rating system will come into effect from June 1st. If you would like to read the whole report from Mats Edvin Aaro, head on over to the VATSIM website.
