FRANÇAISIntroduction
The "rating transfer" (equivalence of qualification) is a procedure which allows to increase the ATC or pilot rating of a member who has a real license without having to carry out the corresponding practical exams on IVAO.
Obtaining a rating transfer is not a right. A rating transfer is examined and granted, if necessary, on a case-by-case basis after analysis, but also on the basis of arguments of opportunity and merit, the evaluation of which is the sole responsibility of FR-HQ. In particular, the France Division attaches particular importance to its training activities and to progress through learning and passing exams, and this regardless of the real experience, real or supposed, of each IVAO member.
The official conditions and procedure are described here. They have been translated into French and adapted to the requirements specific to the France Division. For the time being, the Rating Fast Track system described here is not in use within the France Division.
Conditions of eligibility
Each member of the division can apply for a rating transfer if they meet the following conditions:
- Hold a valid permanent ATC licence and/or a permanent Pilot licence (and all relevant ratings), issued in accordance with ICAO/FAA standards, – or – be a member of the VATSIM network with a rating compatible with the table below – or – a member of POSCON a with the requirements as per the table below.
- Be a member of an active division on IVAO, with up-to-date date of birth.
- Complete with success the Aurora theoretical and practical exam for ATC rating transfer or the Altitude theoretical and practical exam for Pilot rating transfer.
- Have not failed the Divisional practical exam (Check-Ride) for the rating requested within the last six months
- Have logged the requested minimum hours on our network (see conversion table below).
- Show exemplary behaviour in accordance with IVAO's Rules and Regulations, i.e. no suspension entries in the past six months.
- The Division HQ of the applicant has to support the request. To be able to do so, the Division HQ will have to either know the applicant personally or have had the occasion to see the applicant fly or control on our network.
- The proficiency of the applicant may be checked by the division if deemed necessary through a practical check or interview before forwarding the request to the HQ Training Department for approval.
- The HQ Training Director or Training Assistant Director, may request further evidences (OPC, ICAO ELP Certificate etc.).
- The applicant needs to send via e-mail a copy of his/her licence DIRECT and ONLY to the TD/TAD at td@ivao.aero & tad@ivao.aero, mentioned his/her VID at the same email.
Table of equivalence
No equivalence to FS1, FS2 and FS3 qualifications is possible.
- Pilots
Real world rating | VATSIM/POSCON equivalence | IVAO rating | Minimum hours |
|---|---|---|---|
PPL or CPL without IR | No transfer possible | 
| 10h, the theorical exam of Altitude and a check-ride by the division. |
PPL, ou CPL with IR+ME | No transfer possible | 
| 10h, the theorical exam of Altitude and a check-ride by the division. |
CPL ou ATPL (hours logged as an FO or FI) | No transfer possible | 
| 10h, the theorical exam of Altitude and a check-ride by the division. |
ATPL (hours logged as a CPT) | No transfer possible | 
| 10h, the theorical exam of Altitude and a check-ride by the division. |
ULM, I-ULM, ABL, LAPL licenses, as well as the BIA, any helicopter or drone pilot license are not accepted for equivalence. Similarly, instructor and examiner qualifications do not constitute a sufficient condition if the corresponding licenses are not valid.
- ATC
Real world rating | Equivalence POSCON | Equivalence VATSIM | IVAO rating | Minimum hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Aerodrome Controller (any unit) | A TWR ATC approval + 150 Quality points | Tower Controller (S2) | 
| 10h, the theorical exam of Aurora and a check-ride by the division. |
Approach Controller APP or APS (Procedural or Radar position) | A ACC/APP ATC approval + 250 Quality points | TMA Controller (S3) | 
| 10h, the theorical exam of Aurora and a check-ride by the division. |
Area Controller (ACC/CTR) | No transfer | Enroute Controller (C1, C2, C3) | 
| 10h, the theorical exam of Aurora and a check-ride by the division. |
No transfer | No transfer | No transfer | 
| Pas de transfert possible |
Rating transfer application process
The equivalence of qualification is granted by the HQ Training Department at the request of the FR-HQ. The following procedure aims to process the application file with the FR-HQ but does not in any way prejudge the final decision of the Training HQ Department, which remains sovereign. The HQ Training Department is entitled to request any additional documents or evidence, as well as to refuse a request or revoke a previously granted qualification.
- First step:
- The applicant must send an email to the France Division (fr-hq@ivao.aero) with the subject being the member’s VID and the Rating Transfer Request (example: "VID:XXXXXX Rating Transfer Request"). And request the desired equivalence of qualification.
- Second step :
If the FR-HQ wishes to support this request, a form will be sent to TD/TAD. The form is as follows: https://ivao.aero/training/ratings/IVAO_Rating_Transfer_Checklist.pdf
If the FR-HQ does not wish to support this request, the same form will be sent to TD/TAD with the reasons in the comments. The applicant will also be informed of this decision, and the procedure will stop here.
- Third step :
- Scan your actual license (the complete document must be sent without any censorship being affixed to it); or
- Take a screenshot of your VATSIM profile; the ID, first and last name, and qualification must be clearly visible (it is reminded that issuing an administrative document such as a license is a punishable offence under law); or
- Take a screenshot of your POSCON profile, the ID, name and qualification and quality points must be clearly visible.
When examining a request for equivalence, the France Division or the Training HQ department may ask the member to take one or more theoretical and/or practical exams, or to take part in an assessment interview.
If the member who has obtained a rating transfer wishes to obtain other qualifications, he may do so by following the normal examination procedure.
Data protection
The documents and personal data transmitted by the member during a request for rating transfer are treated by the Training HQ department in strict confidentiality. Once the rating transfer procedure is completed, these documents are deleted from IVAO servers in accordance with the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). The France Division and the Training HQ department reserve the right to request any supporting document used to validate a rating transfer, at any time and without prior justification.
Specific procedures
Fraudulent application
If the supporting documents provided during a rating transfer request turn out to be altered, falsified, or if the identity of the requesting member does not correspond to that of the documents transmitted, the request procedure is immediately stopped and the member is suspended from examinations for a period not less than 12 months. In the event that the finding of fraud appears after obtaining the rating transfer, a rating downgrade will be applied by the Training HQ department. In all cases, the file will be forwarded to the IVAO Executive Committee, which may sanction accordingly.
Downgrade of a rating
In serious cases of non-compliance with IVAO rules, proven fraud, serious and/or repeated disciplinary sanction, manifest and proven finding of mismatch between qualification and performance in active connection, the France Division and the department Training HQ reserves the right to downgrade the rating acquired by equivalence. In this case, the demotion request is submitted to the Training HQ department by the FR-HQ.