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Boston Virtual ARTCC's Community Newsletter · April 1, 2025

An Update on ATC Policy during Events

By: Josh Nunn, Manager of Air Traffic

BVA Members,

As you know, with the introduction of AI-based ATC platforms like SayIntentions.AI, it's become more important than ever to provide exceptional, professional, and realistic ATC services when you connect to the VATSIM network. Simultaneously, the demand on our airports during busy events like Go Arounds For You (GFY) continues to increase.

To ensure that pilots continue to receive the realistic service they expect, I today signed an Air Traffic Order requiring that only certified, real-world controllers will be rostered during major events. In this way, each word spoken on the network will by definition be ‘realistic ATC’. Additionally, data from past events indicates that one real-world controller working Center top-down can process the same amount of traffic as a fully-staffed operation with volunteer controllers.

The introduction of real-world controllers will also enable our facility to use the latest in air traffic technology, including fax machines, paper flight strips, and air traffic software that is compatible with the popular Windows 95 OS.

Controllers who have completed training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City or those employed by contract agencies will be permitted to control weekday events only. Controllers certified in other countries will be considered on a case-by-case basis as staffing requires.

Pilots wishing to receive the inferior ATC services offered by our volunteer controllers will still be able to receive them during non-event hours.

We recognize that this policy may reduce the number of staffed positions during events. However, past events have shown that real-world controllers are so much more capable than volunteer controllers—particularly those volunteers who are also real-world airline employees—that we only expect an increase in traffic capacity as the result of this policy. 

By: Evan Reiter

The Westbound edition of Cross the Pond will take place on Saturday, April 26. As an official arrival facility, we will be staffing Boston (KBOS) that afternoon for domestic and international arrivals.

Cross the Pond is the network’s largest and longest-running event. Departing from some of the biggest airports in Europe and Africa, pilots will enjoy full ATC coverage across the Atlantic Ocean until they arrive in the Americas hours in the afternoon.

To fly across the Atlantic during Cross the Pond, booking a slot is required. No slot is required to fly into or out of Boston and our other airports during event hours. More information about slot booking procedures may be found at ctp.vatsim.net.

By: Camden Bruno

The Administration Team thanks the members who took the time to complete our Member Satisfaction Survey. We'll be combing through the results and look forward to presenting them in next month's Logan Informer.

Pilot Tip of the Month

STARs and Approaching Airports

As you transition out of the enroute environment and prepare for approach into a major airport, you may receive either a runway transition or a landing direction, based on how the Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR) is configured.  This will often be issued using the phrase "descend via" and could include a direction (e.g., "landing north") or a specific runway transition (e.g., "Runway 27").

At Boston and Manchester, "descend via" will include a runway transition. Once issued "descend via", you should check on with the following information when you contact a new frequency: 

• Your altitude: as with any frequency change in the air, advise the new controller of your altitude.
• "Descending via": if you're on an RNAV arrival, verify with the controller that you are descending via the arrival.
• Transition/direction: if you're on a runway transition ("descend via JFUND2 arrival, Runway 4R"), include this in your initial contact to verify with the controller that you know which runway you're descending towards. If you were told a direction ("descend via the CHPPR1 arrival, landing west"), verify that instead.
• The current ATIS: ensure you have the latest ATIS letter and weather information. This saves both you and the controller from another transmission.

Boston Approach will issue the specific runway and approach assignment after you check on. As always, if you have any questions or are unsure about an instruction, advise air traffic control.

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