<https://forums.vatsim.net/topic/3519-academywhat-was-the-point/>
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"I just graduated last week after completing the whole Academy in one week.  I was very excited about the whole experience since I tried to complete the ATC training program over a  year ago, but was unable to find someone to train me during my online availability.  Up until a few days ago, I was under the clear impression (as the instructors kept saying to us) that upon graduation, I would be certified to control TWR and below.  However, I was not surprised to learn near the end that a written test would be required from my chosen ARTCC to being me up to speed with local procedures.  This makes perfect sense to me. \n  \nHowever, after arriving at my ARTCC bright-eyed and eager, I was quickly disappointed to discover not just a written test, but the requirement to be under direct observation for any number of hours, as well as an over-the-shoulder online exam!  I tried not to be daunted by this, so I've started taking the tests and have discovered that 1) 50-60% of the information is generic and was covered in the Academy exams I took, and 2) The SOP handbook I was given from my ARTCC was either outdated or just plain incomplete (or both) since I could not find nearly all the information contained in the exam.  TWR info was not in the TWR section, and I spent hours paging through the entire 100+ page booklet with no luck.  So.... \n  \nWhat was the Academy really for?  What did it do for me if I have to do it all over again at my ARTCC?  I'm on the verge of binning this again since my primary availability is during the day, during the week, and as such it's very hard to find someone to jump online to teach me.  I'm very happy with the training I received at the Academy, but if in the end it didn't do anything for me that a few hours online would have done anyway, then what was it for?  Not to toot my own horn, but I'm a Private Pilot and I work for the FAA so a lot of this is old stuff to me. \n"
<https://forums.vatsim.net/topic/3519-academywhat-was-the-point/?tab=comments#comment-21335>