ZMP News Archives
Documents Updated
Effective August 27, 2010, several new documents have been released and are now available on our website for reference.
These include:
Revision 7210.1E - Air Route Traffic Control Center Administrative Manual (ARTCCAM) The ARTCCAM document establishes the hierarchy of the ARTCC's day-to-day operations, and outlines staff responsibilities.
Revision 3120.4E - Air Traffic Control Specialist Training Manual (ATCSTM) The ATCSTM document establishes a standardized training curriculum for ZMP's continued training of controllers to which all ZMP instructors and mentors are encouraged to adhere.
New Revision 7210.3A - Training Department Instructor Brief Manual (TDIBM) The Instructor Brief Manual provides new and current instructors with a guide that will depict lesson formats for the different certification levels.
Posted by: Michael Hess on September 1, 2010 | Category: General
Big Men on Campus
Tailgates, Books, and Tails! Join ZMP as we salute 3 of the biggest colleges in our airspace by flying into KLNK,(University of Nebraska),KSTP,(University of Minnesota), and KGFK,(University of North Dakota). The college that sees the most operations, will be crowned this year's ZMP Big Man on Campus!
Posted by: Matthew Bartels on August 25, 2010 | Category: Events
Sun Country Virtual Airlines Partnership
Please welcome Sun Country Virtual Airlines (www.suncountryvirtual.com) as Minneapolis ARTCC's newest vested partner airline offering over 35 destinations in the United States, Caribbean, and Mexico from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport!
Posted by: Logan Gloss on August 21, 2010 | Category: General
M98 TRACON Takes Week 30 Iron Mic!
Minneapolis Approach (M98) has taken first place in this weeks Iron Mic, logging 49:14:12 hours (29.3% up-time). Taking fourth place, Minneapolis Center with 48:08:23 hours (28.7% up-time).
Thank you to those controllers who have been staffing and keeping us a key facility on VATSIM!
Posted by: Logan Gloss on July 29, 2010 | Category: General
New Minneapolis TA Selected
Please welcome Alexander Zayas as ZMP's newest Training Administrator. Alex brings a number of years of experience and a wealth of knowledge to our facility and I look forward to seeing what his leadership brings to Minneapolis. Welcome Alex!
I would like to thank Loren Kuhnly for over 2 years of dedicated service. He has certainly brought a level of success that will be hard to match. Loren will be remaining on board as an Instructor.
Posted by: Logan Gloss on July 19, 2010 | Category: Training
Letter to ZMP
Greetings to all,
I am now sitting here and collecting my thoughts of the past 72 hours and want to share them. There are 2 parts and will start with the sad or bad news part. I have stepped down as TA {Training Admin} for our ARTCC as of 7- 17. I have had the position for over 2 years and felt I need to throttle back a bunch before losing focus of the job. I will still be an INS and do not plan on going away. Just sliding into formation and letting Alex Zayas take the PIC seat. I will be giving Alex a full and in depth briefing in the coming 7 days so PLEASE give him some time. Thanks to all my INS and Mentors for helping me during my time.
Now to part 2. WOW. When Kim and I said yes to hosting Northern Migration again we thought; no problem as maybe 6 controllers will come this time. Then the list went to 16!! It was a scary thought with the size of this house. So with 16 controllers, 5 visitors (one of which was a real controller from DLH Ryan) making it, this was the most bodies this house has ever seen. It was impressive as everyone arrived, they started setting up in the location of the house for their control area.There was minimum delay in getting staffed up.
I quick run down of stats you may not hear from anyone else.
There was the MSP tower control area on the cool outside screened in deck, DLH control in dining area with RST controllers across the table, ZMP center took over the living room and the M98 control was down stairs in the very low light room. About 225 Kilowatts of electric power was used the 2 days, router over heated once, 18 computers were in use, 3 conflict alerts (all caused by pilots), 6 pizzas consumed (first night), 40 steaks over 2 dozen Iowa sweet corn (thanks Logan). 2 1/2 cases of Mt Dew, 2 cases of water were consumed second night and 4 rolls of toilet paper used total. As a side note everyone got along great even with the very warm crowded conditions. This year only 3 items were left behind. ( owner of 22 inch flat screen only has 24 hours to claim or owner of house gets it. Ha Ha) Cost to put this all together......lots but worth it all........ PRICELESS!!! Hope others will have pics up on website soon.
Thank you all that came and for the gift. Kim and I really appreciate it. For Kim it was great to put faces to names. We already had our first planning meeting this morning for the next one in 2 years. At that time our huge garage will be converted into ZMP Center. Kim promises to make double batch of cheesy potatoes too.
Great time, so start planning to join us then,
See ya on the scope, Loren
Posted by: Loren Kuhnly on July 19, 2010 | Category: General
Northern Migration IV: SUCCESS
Over 280 operations into and out of ZMP's airspace, 17 controllers working live from Duluth, MN and an additional 10 controllers staffing ZMP, Minneapolis ARTCC has seen one of its most successful Northern Migration Events to date! Thank you to all those pilots who participated and neighboring ARTCC’s that were online.
Stay tuned as photos will soon be posted on our website of FNO, the Duluth Airshow featuring the USAF Thunderbird’s and a rare tour of the FAA MSP ATCT and M98 TRACON.
I would like to thank: Tim Boger, Cameron Negrete, Alex Zayas, Logan Gloss, Matt Bartels, Andy Duong, Dhruv Kalra, Chris Rolfe, Derek Hood, Antonio King, Nicholas Reed, Parker Payne, Tim Dryml, Matt Spencer, Alex Archer, Bob Pracheil and John Sewell for attending.
A special thank you to Loren and Kim Kuhnly who without their support in planning and hosting this event by welcoming us all into their home would not have made this event that it could have been.
What are your plans for 2011? Planning for Northern Migration V is already underway.
Posted by: Logan Gloss on July 19, 2010 | Category: General
ZMP Presents Friday Night Ops: Northern Migration IV
Join us on Friday, July 16th for our 4th annual LIVE Northern Migration Event!
Featuring KMSP, KRST, and KDLH, ZMP controllers will have the entire state of Minnesota and the enroute airspace staffed. For full details, view the event page.
Pilots are encouraged to download the MSP Arrival Briefing card.
Posted by: Dhruv Kalra on June 30, 2010 | Category: Events
Welcome New Staff Members
Please welcome several new staff members (*):
*Deputy Air Traffic Manager: Dhruv Kalra
Training Administrator: Loren Kuhnly
*Events Coordinator: Matthew Bartels
*Facility Engineer: Cameron Negrete
*Webmaster: Michael Hess
Each one of these members is committed to the success and growth of the facility and brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to the group. I encourage you to introduce yourself to them and welcome them to the team!
Posted by: Logan Gloss on June 29, 2010 | Category: General
ZMP Presents the 4th Annual BYOB
It's that time of year again, fellas! Berkshire Hathaway will have their annual shareholders meeting in Omaha on Saturday, May 1. ZMP will once again host an event to mark this occasion by encouraging VATSIM pilots to bring their business and corporate aircraft into Omaha's Eppley Airfield (KOMA). Pilots should plan to arrive at KOMA between 1800 and 2200z (1300 - 1700 CDT) to ensure that our controllers are on position and ready for them.
Visit the Event Page for more information
Posted by: Dhruv Kalra on April 4, 2010 | Category: Events
Minneapolis Center to become 3M Center
Attention controllers and pilots: Effective today (4/1/10), Minneapolis (ZMP) shall be called 3M Center (ZMM). Click here for more details.
Posted by: Timothy Boger on April 1, 2010 | Category: General
VATUSA Friday Night Ops Comes Back to ZMP April 2nd
VATUSA presents Friday Night Ops, featuring airports along the Mississippi River.
Featuring Minneapolis-St/Paul International Airport (KMSP), St. Louis Lambert International Airport (KSTL), Memphis International (KMEM), and New Orleans Armstrong International (KMSY), pilots will have the opportunity to travel the entire length of North America's longest river.
Join us on April 2nd at 7pm CDT (0000z on April 3) and enjoy full staffing from Clearance Delivery to Center positions throughout the event!
Posted by: Dhruv Kalra on March 26, 2010 | Category: Events
Please Re-Login
We had a small problem today with the log-in script here on the website. If you are using the 'Remember me' check box and it automatically logs you in each time, please logout and log back in again.
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Thank you,
The Web Team
Posted by: Nicholas Zaccardi on February 11, 2010 | Category: Website
ZMP Presents Friday Night Ops Jan 22
Come join our friendly and professional controlling staff as we staff up our primary airport on a Friday night! From 7pm CST on January 22nd until whenever we can't take it anymore, enjoy full staffing and operations at KMSP. Bring in IFR or VFR traffic - makes no difference to us!
As always in anticipation of a large event, we ask that pilots ensure that they have up-to-date scenery for KMSP, including runway 17/35. Our own AFCAD for FS2004 is available on our Scenery page. FS X users and those wishing to add accurate KMSP terminals and ramps can download William Morgan's FRF KMSP Scenery or install BluePrint Simulations' KMSP scenery.
Clear skies, and we'll see you on the 22nd!
Posted by: Dhruv Kalra on January 18, 2010 | Category: Events
UVA Presents Saturday Scramble at KMSP January 9, 2010
Fly!! The Saturday Scramble is a VATSIM group flight partnership established by United Virtual Airlines (UVA), Virtual Air Canada (VAC) and Virtual-USAairways (USA). These virtual airlines seek to provide their members with the highest possible degree of realism. With more than 1,700 pilots among them, UVA, VAC and USA management quickly recognized the potential of such a large pool of group flight participants and the Saturday Scramble was born.
The Scramble responds to survey data demonstrating that, given the choice, the majority of members prefer Saturday's for group flights. And they prefer group flights with the professional ATC provided by VATSIM.
The event starts with departures from several airports in the current UVA, VAC and USA schedules. All flights converge on the same destination, arriving at the scheduled times. This provides a steady flow of traffic during the arrival period, and closely simulates real world airline operations due to traffic density and associated ATC requirements.
Pilots participating in the Scramble may also choose to fly a scheduled flight from the destination airport during the specified period. UVA and VAC pilots are also free to choose a personally preferred departure point, with the flight arriving at the destination airport within the specified period. For UVA pilots, these off-schedule flights are not credited to total hours flown for the airline. UVA pilots are required to remain in their assigned aircraft category. As per VAC Online Event Policy, VAC pilots are permitted to fly any reasonable aircraft; however, pilots are required to fly aircraft from within their assigned aircraft category. USA pilots comply with their Company Policy.
Members of VATSIM, whether affiliated with a virtual airline or not, are most welcome to join in the Scramble. If you are a member of a virtual airline, follow your company procedures for flying and filing your flight.
Hope to see you next Saturday at the Scramble! And remember, It's Time to Fly!!
Posted by: Dhruv Kalra on January 3, 2010 | Category: Events
KMSP Runway 12L/30R OPEN
Attention all pilots and controllers:
As of 1200z on 10/31, MAC has re-opened 12L/30R at KMSP. Normal flows and procedures are back in effect.
Posted by: Dhruv Kalra on October 31, 2009 | Category: General
ZMP to Host Friday Night Ops Sept 18, 2009
ZMP Hosts a very special Friday Night Ops September 18, 2009!
Come join us as we simulate runway construction operations at Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport! With runway 12L/30R closed between August-October, expect some unique arrival and departure flows, departing planes backed up to the terminal, and some hair-raising approaches!
Once again, due to the absence of runway 17/35 from the default FS2004 scenery, we request that all pilots download our AFCAD update for FS2004 available on the ZMP website or Jim Vile's KMSP AFCAD for FSX. This will enable runway 17/35 for both FS2004 and FSX and will greatly reduce delays in and out of KMSP during the construction period. X-Plane users and purchasers of BluePrint Simulations' KMSP scenery will have all current runways enabled already and do not require either of these files.
Posted by: Dhruv Kalra on August 22, 2009 | Category: Events
KMSP Runway 12L/30R CLOSED
Attention all ZMP controllers and pilots: From August 17 to on or about October 30, MAC will be performing construction on runway 12L/30R at KMSP. As a result, 12L/30R and several taxiways will be CLOSED during this time period. Due to the absence of runway 17/35 from the default FS2004 scenery, we request that all pilots download our AFCAD update for FS2004 available on the ZMP website or Jim Vile's KMSP AFCAD for FSX. This will enable runway 17/35 for both FS2004 and FSX and will greatly reduce delays in and out of KMSP during the construction period. X-Plane users and purchasers of BluePrint Simulations' KMSP scenery will have all current runways enabled already and do not require either of these files.
To install the AFCAD, extract the .af2 files to your FS2004 or FSX "Addon Scenery\Scenery" directory, regenerate your scenery database from Flight Simulator's scenery settings window, and restart the simulator.
Posted by: Dhruv Kalra on August 19, 2009 | Category: Sticky
Help Desk Support
There is a new support page for vZMP!!!
You can create a simple support ticket at support.minniecenter.org or click on the Support link at the top of the page next to the buildings in the image.
If you ever find a broken link, misspelled word, would like a new feature or something that does not seem to work correctly please fill one out for the web team.
If you would like to follow the status of different projects you can sign-up for an account or you can just keep logging in anonymously to submit tickets.
This is not to replace feedback. All feedback should still go to feedback.minniecenter.org.
Nick Zaccardi
Webmaster
Posted by: Nicholas Zaccardi on August 12, 2009 | Category: Website
Welcome to the New ZMP Website!
In November of 2008, our web hosting provider elected to upgrade their servers to PHP 5. Unfortunately, this caused several functionality errors with our previous website. Faced with the prospect of performing an extensive overhaul, ZMP's web team, led by Webmaster Nick Zaccardi, began work on a completely new website. After several months of work from scratch, we are happy to present the new home of the VATSIM Minneapolis ARTCC to our controllers and visitors. Please bear with us while we complete work on some higher-level functionality, and enjoy the new site!
Posted by: Nicholas Zaccardi on March 18, 2009 | Category: General
