ATCO.D.045 Composition of unit training
Regulation (EU) 2015/340
(a) Unit training shall consist of training course(s) for each unit endorsement established at the ATC unit as defined in the unit training plan.
(b) The unit endorsement course(s) shall be developed and provided by training organisations according to ATCO.D.060 and approved by the competent authority.
(c) Unit training shall include training in:
(1) operational procedures;
(2) task-specific aspects;
(3) abnormal and emergency situations; and
(4) human factors.
GM1 ATCO.D.045(a) Composition of unit training
ED Decision 2015/010/R
If an applicant undertakes unit endorsement training, and there is a requirement for training to achieve an additional unit endorsement, the applicant should not repeat the training objectives covered in the first unit endorsement training; however, the objectives of the additional unit endorsement course(s) should be achieved.
AMC1 ATCO.D.045(c)(3) Composition of unit training
ED Decision 2015/010/R
ABNORMAL AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
(a) Training for all identified abnormal and emergency situations should primarily take place on synthetic training devices.
(b) Training organisations should develop performance objectives for the abnormal and emergency situation training.
(c) Where a low safety risk for the ATC service provision has been identified and agreed by the competent authority, training in abnormal and emergency situations may take place by means other than synthetic training devices.
(d) If the pre-on-the-job training phase is not provided, the abnormal and emergency situation training should be scenario-based and as realistic as possible while maintaining operational safety.
(e) Checklists for abnormal and emergency situations used in operations should be made available to the applicant and be available at all times during scenario training.
AMC1 ATCO.D.045(c)(4) Composition of unit training
ED Decision 2023/011/R
HUMAN FACTORS
(a) Training organisations should train the applicant during on-the-job training in team resource management, fatigue management and stress management.
(b) Training organisations should develop performance objectives for team resource management training.
(c) The team resource management training may also make use of synthetic training devices.
(d) Training organisations should develop training objectives for fatigue management and stress management training.
[applicable until 3 August 2024 - ED Decision 2015/010/R]
HUMAN FACTORS
(a) Training organisations should train applicants during unit training in team resource management, fatigue management and stress management.
(b) Training organisations should develop performance objectives for the team resource management training.
(c) The team resource management training may also make use of synthetic training devices.
(d) Training organisations should develop training objectives for the fatigue management and stress management training.
[applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R]
AMC2 ATCO.D.045(c)(4) Composition of unit training
ED Decision 2023/011/R
Human factors training should include, as a minimum, the following topics and related objectives:
(a) Basic needs of people at work
(1) List the basic needs of people at work.
(2) Characterise the factors for work satisfaction.
(b) Human performance
(1) Describe the impact of responsibility on an air traffic controller’s actions.
(2) Recognise the different responsibilities of an air traffic controller.
(c) Work environment
(1) Explain the reasons for automation.
(2) Describe the advantages and constraints of automation.
(d) Team resource management (TRM)
(1) Explain the relevance of TRM.
(2) Describe the content of the TRM concept.
(e) Stress and fatigue management
(1) Describe the fatigue and stress management policy(ies) in force (at the ATS unit).
(2) Explain the procedure(s) in force for air traffic controllers to report stress and fatigue (at the ATS unit).
(3) Consider the benefits of critical incident stress management (CISM).
(f) Human error
(1) Describe the impact an occurrence/incident may have on an air traffic controller.
(2) Explain the causes and dangers of violation of rules becoming accepted as common practice.
[applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R]
ATCO.D.050 Prerequisites of unit training
Regulation (EU) 2023/893
Unit training may only be started by persons who are holders of:
(a) a student air traffic controller licence with the appropriate rating and, if applicable, rating endorsement; or
(b) an air traffic controller licence with the appropriate rating and, if applicable, rating endorsement;
provided that the requirements set out in ATCO.B.001(d) and ATCO.B.010(b) are met.
[applicable until 3 August 2024 - Regulation (EU) 2015/340]
Provided that the requirements set out in points ATCO.B.001(d), ATCO.B.005(e) and ATCO.B.010(b) are met:
(a) unit training may only be started by persons who have successfully completed initial training relevant to the rating and, if applicable, rating endorsement;
(b) the on-the-job training phase of unit training may only be started by persons who are holders of a student air traffic controller licence or an air traffic controller licence with the appropriate rating and, if applicable, rating endorsement.
[applicable from 4 August 2024 - Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/893]
Regulation (EU) 2015/340
(a) A unit training plan shall be established by the training organisation for each ATC unit and shall be approved by the competent authority.
(b) The unit training plan shall contain at least:
(1) ratings and endorsements for which the training is conducted;
(2) the structure of the unit training;
(3) the list of unit endorsement course(s) according to ATCO.D.060;
(4) the process for the conduct of a unit endorsement course;
(5) the training methods;
(6) the minimum duration of the unit endorsement course(s);
(7) process for adapting the unit endorsement course(s) to take due account of the acquired ratings and/or rating endorsements and experience of applicants, when relevant;
(8) processes for demonstrating theoretical knowledge and understanding according to ATCO.D.065, including the number, frequency and type of, as well as pass marks for examinations, which shall be a minimum of 75 % of the marks allocated to these examinations;
(9) processes for the assessment according to ATCO.D.070, including the number and frequency of assessments;
(10) training personnel qualifications, roles and responsibilities;
(11) process for early termination of training;
(12) the appeal process;
(13) identification of records to be kept specific to the unit training;
(14) a list of identified abnormal and emergency situations specific for each unit endorsement;
(15) process and reasons for reviewing and amending the unit training plan and its submission to the competent authority. The review of the unit training plan shall take place at least once every three years.
GM1 ATCO.D.055 Unit training plan
ED Decision 2015/010/R
GENERAL
Guidance for the development of unit training plans can be found in EUROCONTROL’s documents ‘Guidelines for the Development of Unit Training Plans’, Edition number 1.0, dated 31.08.2005 and ‘Annex to the Guidelines for the Development of Unit Training Plans: Examples of UTP’, Edition 2.0, dated 10.06.2010.
GM1 ATCO.D.055(a) Unit training plan
ED Decision 2019/004/R
UNIT TRAINING PLAN FOR A REMOTE TOWER CENTRE
For the purpose of establishing a unit training plan, a ‘remote tower centre’ (RTC) (defined in the EASA ‘Guidance Material on remote aerodrome air traffic services’ — Issue 2) may be considered as one Air Traffic Control (ATC) unit.
The unit training plan of an RTC should include the list of the unit endorsement courses for all aerodromes which the RTC is providing service to.
GM1 ATCO.D.055(b)(5) Unit training plan
ED Decision 2015/010/R
TRAINING METHODS
Training organisations should consider a variety of methods when conducting training leading to a unit endorsement. Although this list is not exhaustive, such methods could be:
— on-the-job;
— lecture;
— lesson/demonstration;
— case study;
— computer-based practical exercise;
— exercise;
— facilitation;
— group work;
— hands-on;
— interactive training;
— supervised practices;
— part-task practice;
— individual simulation;
— team simulation;
— group simulation;
— briefing/debriefing;
— structured briefing;
— structured debriefing;
— virtual classroom;
— role play;
— skill acquisition;
— self-study;
— self-test;
— resilience training.
AMC1 ATCO.D.055(b)(6) Unit training plan
ED Decision 2023/011/R
DURATION OF UNIT ENDORSEMENT COURSES
(a) The on-the-job training instruction as part of the unit endorsement course should be at least of the duration specified in Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention, Section 4.5.2.2.1(b).
(b) The ratings named in Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention, Section 4.5.2.2.1(b), should be read in the context of this Regulation:
(1) aerodrome control rating: ADV and ADI ratings;
(2) approach control procedural rating: APP rating;
(3) approach control surveillance rating: APS rating;
(4) area control procedural rating: ACP rating;
(5) area control surveillance rating: ACS rating.
(c) The approach precision radar control rating in Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention, Section 4.5.2.2.1(b), should be read in the context of this Regulation as APS-PAR rating endorsement according to ATCO.B.015.
[applicable until 3 August 2024 - ED Decision 2015/010/R]
DURATION OF UNIT ENDORSEMENT COURSES
(a) The on-the-job training instruction as part of the unit endorsement course should be at least of the duration specified in Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention, Sections 4.5.2.2.1(b) and (c) and 4.5.2.2.3.
(b) Notwithstanding point (a), the minimum duration of the on-the-job training instruction for the surveillance radar approach rating endorsement may be partly substituted by utilising a simulator, if approved by the competent authority.
(c) The approach precision radar control rating in Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention, Section 4.5.2.2.1(b), should be read in the context of this Regulation as APS-PAR rating endorsement according to point ATCO.B.015.
(d) The inclusion of surveillance radar approach duties in the privileges of the approach control surveillance rating in Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention, Section 4.5.2.2.1(c), should be read in the context of this Regulation as APS-SRA rating endorsement according to point ATCO.B.015.
[applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R]
GM1 ATCO.D.055(b)(7) Unit training plan
ED Decision 2023/011/R
ADAPTING THE UNIT ENDORSEMENT COURSE(S)
When an applicant already holds the same rating for another unit, the training organisation may determine whether the unit endorsement course can be reduced, and if so, to what extent.
[applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R]
AMC1 ATCO.D.055(b)(14) Unit training plan
ED Decision 2015/010/R
DESIRABLE BEHAVIOURS FOR ABNORMAL AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
(a) Training organisations should establish desirable behaviours for the identified abnormal and emergency situations and associate them with established procedures.
(b) Desirable behaviours of the applicants in case of abnormal or emergency situations may be of technical or non-technical nature.
ATCO.D.060 Unit endorsement course
Regulation (EU) 2023/893
(a) A unit endorsement course shall be the combination of the relevant unit training phases for the issue or renewal of a unit endorsement in the licence. Each course shall contain:
(1) a transitional training phase;
(2) an on-the-job training phase.
A pre-on-the-job training phase shall be included, if required, according to ATCO.D.005(a)(2).
(b) The unit training phases referred to in paragraph (a) shall be provided separately or in an integrated manner.
(c) Unit endorsement courses shall define the syllabus and the performance objectives in accordance with ATCO.D.045(c) and shall be conducted in accordance with the unit training plan.
(d) Unit endorsement courses that include training for rating endorsement(s) according to ATCO.B.015 shall be supplemented with additional training that allows for the acquisition of the concerned rating endorsement skills.
(e) Training intended for a rating endorsement other than ATCO.B.015(a)(3) shall consist of subjects, subject objectives, topics and subtopics developed by the training organisation and approved as part of the training course.
[applicable until 3 August 2024 - Regulation (EU) 2015/340]
(e) Training intended for a rating endorsement shall consist of subjects, topics and subtopics developed by the training organisation and approved as part of the training course.
[applicable from 4 August 2024 - Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/893]
(f) Unit endorsement courses undertaken following an exchange of a licence shall be adapted to include elements of initial training that are specific to the Functional Airspace Block or to the national environment.
[applicable until 3 August 2024 - Regulation (EU) 2015/340]
(f) Unit endorsement courses undertaken by student air traffic controllers or air traffic controllers in a Member State for which the competent authority is not the same that issued the licence, shall be adapted to include elements of initial training that are specific to the FAB or to the national environment. The same requirement shall apply for cases where the applicant for the student licence has completed initial training in a Member State that is different from the Member State that will issue the student licence.
[applicable from 4 August 2024 - Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/893]
AMC1 ATCO.D.060(c) Unit endorsement course
ED Decision 2023/011/R
UNIT ENDORSEMENT COURSE IN UNITS THAT PROVIDE GROUND MOVEMENT SURVEILLANCE CONTROL
[applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R]
AMC2 ATCO.D.060(c) Unit endorsement course
ED Decision 2023/011/R
UNIT ENDORSEMENT COURSE IN UNITS THAT PROVIDE TERMINAL CONTROL
The training for the provision of air traffic control (ATC) services with the use of any surveillance equipment to aircraft that operate in a specified terminal area and/or adjacent sectors should be included in the unit endorsement course. For area control surveillance (ACS) rating holders, the training should include objectives of initial training for the approach control surveillance (APS) rating related to terminal control.
[applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R]
GM1 ATCO.D.060(c) Unit endorsement course
ED Decision 2015/010/R
PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS PROVIDING SERVICES TO AIRCRAFT CARRYING OUT FLIGHT TESTS
The performance objectives for air traffic controllers providing air traffic control services to aircraft carrying out flight tests should ensure that applicants manage the workload and provide air traffic services and apply specific ATC procedures to aircraft carrying out flight tests within a defined aerodrome, approach control and/or area control area of responsibility.
GM2 ATCO.D.060(c) Unit endorsement course
ED Decision 2015/010/R
ADDITIONAL TRAINING FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS PROVIDING SERVICES TO AIRCRAFT CARRYING OUT FLIGHT TESTS
In accordance with ATCO.B.020(d), the unit endorsement course for air traffic controllers providing air traffic control services to aircraft carrying out flight tests may include the following subjects, subject objectives, topics and subtopics:
Subject 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
The subject objective is:
Learners shall know and understand the training programme that they will follow and learn how to obtain the appropriate information.
TOPIC INTRO 1 — COURSE MANAGEMENT
Subtopic INTRO 1.1 — Course introduction
Subtopic INTRO 1.2 — Course administration
Subtopic INTRO 1.3 — Study material and training documentation
TOPIC INTRO 2 — INTRODUCTION TO THE ATC TRAINING COURSE
Subtopic INTR 2.1 — Course content and organisation
Subtopic INTR 2.2 — Training ethos
Subtopic INTR 2.3 — Assessment process
Subject 2: SCOPE OF FLIGHT TESTING
The subject objective is:
Learners shall understand the purpose of flight testing and integrate airworthiness issues in the provision of ATS to flight tests.
TOPIC FT 1 — AIRWORTHINESS REQUIREMENTS
Subtopic FT 1.1 — Airworthiness codes
Subtopic FT 1.2 — Flight test guide for CS aircrafts
Subtopic FT 1.3 — Prototypes and concept aircrafts
TOPIC FT 2 TEST AND ACCEPTANCE TRAFFIC ASPECTS
Subtopic FT 2.1 — Performance flight testing methods
Subtopic FT 2.2 — Handling qualities testing methods
Subtopic FT 2.3 — Systems, CNS and on-board safety systems testing methods
Subject 3: REGULATIONS AND EXEMPTIONS
The subject objective is:
Learners shall know, understand and apply the rules of the air and ATM regulations, and the principles of exemptions regarding the needs of flight test, and also take into account licensing and competence principles.
TOPIC REG 1 — ATC LICENSING/CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE
Subtopic REG 1.1 — Privileges and conditions
TOPIC REG 2 — EXEMPTIONS REGARDING ATM REGULATIONS
Subtopic REG 2.1 — ICAO annexes and rules of the air
Subtopic REG 2.2 — ATM regulations regarding airspace
Subtopic REG 2.3 — Airworthiness
Subtopic REG 2.4 — Flight test exemptions
Subject 4: AIRCRAFT ENVIRONMENT
The subject objective is:
Learners shall know the theory of flight, aircraft subsystems and integrate aircraft performances, limitations and handling qualities in the provision of ATS to flight tests.
TOPIC ACFT 1 — AIRCRAFT FLIGHT DYNAMICS
Subtopic ACFT 1.1 — Aircraft control and movement
Subtopic ACFT 1.2 — Performance testing
Subtopic ACFT 1.3 — Handling qualities
Subtopic ACFT 1.4 — Aero-elastic/Flutter stability
Subtopic ACFT 1.5 — Flight envelope
Subtopic ACFT 1.6 — Helicopter specific dynamics
TOPIC ACFT 2 — AIRCRAFT ENGINES
Subtopic ACFT 2.1 — The piston engine
Subtopic ACFT 2.2 — The turboshaft engine
Subtopic ACFT 2.3 — Jet and turbofan
TOPIC ACFT 3 — AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
Subtopic ACFT 3.1 — Flight control systems
Subtopic ACFT 3.2 — Safety systems
Subtopic ACFT 3.3 — Communication and navigation systems
Subject 5: FLIGHT TESTING AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
The subject objective is:
Learners shall manage air traffic in complete safety, with methods to ensure a satisfactory rate of success regarding flight testing.
TOPIC FTATM 1 — AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES AND AIRSPACE MANAGEMENT
Subtopic FTATM 1.1 — Air traffic control (ATC) service
Subtopic FTATM 1.2 — Flight information service (FIS)
Subtopic FTATM 1.3 — Alerting service
TOPIC FTATM 2 — EXEMPTIONS DUE TO TESTING DEMONSTRATIONS
Subtopic FTATM 2.1 — Demonstration of compliance with airworthiness regulations
Subtopic FTATM 2.2 — Flight test for evaluation of an aircraft
Subtopic FTATM 2.3 — Flight test for evaluation of an aircraft subsystem
TOPIC FTATM 3 — FLIGHT TEST METHODS IN AERODROME CONTROL AREA
Subtopic FTATM 3.1 — Velocity of minimum control on ground
Subtopic FTATM 3.2 — Velocity of minimum unstick
Subtopic FTATM 3.3 — Lapse rate take-off
Subtopic FTATM 3.4 — Rejected take-off
Subtopic FTATM 3.5 — Tower fly-by method
Subtopic FTATM 3.6 — Hover manoeuvre methods
Subtopic FTATM 3.7 — Landing performances testing methods
Subtopic FTATM 3.8 — Other flight testing manoeuvres
TOPIC FTATM 4 — FLIGHT TEST METHODS IN APPROACH CONTROL AREA AND IN AREA CONTROL
Subtopic FTATM 4.1 — Velocity of minimum control in the air/Stalls
Subtopic FTATM 4.2 — Tuning of flight controls protections
Subtopic FTATM 4.3 — Autopilot tuning
Subtopic FTATM 4.4 — Wind milling/RAM air turbine/Engine relights
Subtopic FTATM 4.5 — Trailing pitot static method
Subtopic FTATM 4.6 — Lateral and longitudinal stability flights
Subtopic FTATM 4.7 — Flight in specific meteorological conditions
Subtopic FTATM 4.8 — Supersonic flights
Subtopic FTATM 4.9 — Other flight testing various manoeuvres
Subject 6: HUMAN FACTORS
The subject objective is:
Learners shall recognise the necessity to constantly consider the specific human factors influence on tests activity management.
TOPIC HUM 1 — CUSTOMERS RELATIONS AND ORGANISATION
Subtopic HUM 1.1 — Stress
Subtopic HUM 1.2 — Responsible behaviour
Subtopic HUM 1.3 — Violation of rules
TOPIC HUM 2 — FLIGHT TEST WORKING METHODS
Subtopic HUM 2.1 — Collaborative work within the same area of responsibility
Subtopic HUM 2.2 — Collaborative work between different areas of responsibility
Subtopic HUM 2.3 — FT-ATCO/CREW cooperation
Subtopic HUM 2.4 — Communication
TOPIC HUM 3 — FLIGHT TEST SAFETY CONSOLIDATION
Subtopic HUM 3.1 — Safety risk assessment
Subtopic HUM 3.2 — Experience feedback
Subtopic HUM 3.3 — Unusual/Degraded/Emergency situations
Subtopic HUM 3.4 — Safety Investigation Branch
Subject 7: METEOROLOGY
The subject objective is:
Learners shall acquire, decode and make proper use of meteorological information relevant to the airworthiness issues and the safe provision of ATS to flight tests.
TOPIC MTO 1 — METEOROLOGICAL AND AIRWORTHINESS CONCERNS
Subtopic MTO 1.1 — Airworthiness meteorological requirements
Subtopic MTO 1.2 — Demonstrator flights carrying specific test equipment
Subtopic MTO 1.3 — Phases with specific weather conditions (icing, wind, volcano, etc.)
GM3 ATCO.D.060(c) Unit endorsement course
ED Decision 2019/004/R
TRAINING FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS PROVIDING REMOTE AERODROME AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES
The unit endorsement course should enable air traffic controllers providing aerodrome control service from a ‘remote tower’ (defined in the EASA ‘Guidance Material on remote aerodrome air traffic services’ — Issue 2) to acquire knowledge of the concept of remote aerodrome air traffic services and of the characteristics of the operating environment, to appreciate the necessity to consider the specific human factors influence on the remote aerodrome air traffic services, as well as to recognise specific abnormal situations and to manage their impact.
This could be achieved by addressing the following items:
— Introduction to remote aerodrome air traffic services
— Concept of remote aerodrome air traffic services (described in Chapters 3 and 4 of the EASA ‘Guidance Material on remote aerodrome air traffic services’ — Issue 2);
— ‘Remote tower modules’ (RTMs) (defined in the EASA ‘Guidance Material on remote aerodrome air traffic services’— Issue 2);
— ‘Remote tower centre’ (RTC) (defined in the EASA ‘Guidance Material on remote aerodrome air traffic services’ — Issue 2);
— Technical enablers used for remote aerodrome air traffic services (described in Section 3.5 and Chapter 5 of the EASA ‘Guidance Material on remote aerodrome air traffic services’ — Issue 2); and
— Operational applications (described in Chapters 3 and 4 of the EASA ‘Guidance Material on remote aerodrome air traffic services’ — Issue 2).
— Operating environment
— Configuration of the RTM and RTC (if applicable) and modes of operation
— ‘Visual presentation’ (defined and described in Chapter 2 and Section 5.2 of the EASA ‘Guidance Material on remote aerodrome air traffic services’ — Issue 2) at the RTM, for example:
— layout and orientation;
— technical capabilities and limitations of a ‘visual surveillance system’ (defined in the EASA ‘Guidance Material on remote aerodrome air traffic services’ — Issue 2), including among others:
— impact of weather conditions on site the aerodrome;
— end-to-end delay;
— frame rate,
— any differences in light conditions between the aerodrome and the visual presentation;
— ‘dead’ pixels;
— any overlaid information and any site-specific equipment/functions such as sun filters; and
— seasonal settings.
— Set-up and characteristics of the local equipment at the aerodrome, e.g. location of cameras, signalling lamp, etc.
— Familiarisation with the physical aerodrome(s) environment and the different local stakeholders via study visit(s)
— Local weather characteristics
— Human factors aspects
— Human factors influence on remote aerodrome air traffic services
Factors that can generate fatigue in a ‘remote tower’ environment (defined in the EASA ‘Guidance Material on remote aerodrome air traffic services’ — Issue 2), for example:
— eye strain caused by the performance of the visual presentation or by contrast in lighting against the background;
— artificial light and/or lack of daylight in the RTM); and
— preventing and mitigating strategies on fatigue.
— Procedures for degraded modes, for example:
— Complete or partial loss of the visual presentation
— Corrupt, delayed or frozen image
— Loss or degradation of the ‘binocular functionality’ (described in Section 5.2 of the EASA ‘Guidance Material on remote aerodrome air traffic services’ — Issue 2).
GM4 ATCO.D.060(c) Unit endorsement course
ED Decision 2019/004/R
MULTIPLE MODE OF OPERATION
When performing ‘multiple mode of operation’ (defined and described in the EASA ‘Guidance Material on remote aerodrome air traffic services’ — Issue 2), in addition to GM3 ATCO.D.060(c), the following items should also be considered:
— Use of communication facilities (e.g. aeronautical mobile service, aeronautical fixed service and surface movement control service) for simultaneous provision of air traffic services in geographically separated areas of responsibility
— Applicable procedures for traffic management, such as traffic prioritisation, enabling multiple mode of operation
— Procedures for prioritising between aerodromes
— Procedures for the transferring/merging/splitting of aerodromes in an RTM (defined in the EASA ‘Guidance Material on remote aerodrome air traffic services’ — Issue 2)
— Different weather and light conditions at different aerodromes
— Human capabilities/limitations with regard to the simultaneous handling of more than one aerodrome and distribution of attention
GM1 ATCO.D.060(d);(e) Unit endorsement course
ED Decision 2015/010/R
TRAINING FOR RATING ENDORSEMENTS
Training for rating endorsement(s) as part of the unit endorsement course may be delegated to training organisations certified for initial training.
ATCO.D.065 Demonstration of theoretical knowledge and understanding
Regulation (EU) 2015/340
Theoretical knowledge and understanding shall be demonstrated by examinations.
GM1 ATCO.D.065 Demonstration of theoretical knowledge and understanding
ED Decision 2015/010/R
METHODS OF EXAMINATION
(a) Oral examinations and/or written/computer-based examinations should be used to demonstrate the controller’s knowledge and understanding.
(1) Oral examinations
The oral examination is used to test the understanding of applicable techniques and the rules governing them, particularly of unit and national air traffic control procedures. Scenario-type questioning allows examiners to gather additional evidence of how an applicant would react in circumstances that are not observable, but are nevertheless considered important to the overall operation at that ATC unit.
Oral examinations will give a clear indication that the persons undertaking training know not only what they should be doing, but why they should be doing it. The oral examination requires considerable skills and it should be undertaken in a way to ensure consistency among individual examiners.
(2) Written examinations
The written examination is used to test theoretical knowledge and to a lesser degree the understanding of applicable techniques and the rules governing them, particularly of unit and national air traffic control procedures. It is easier to administer and to ensure the consistency of written examinations particularly when using multiple-choice questioning. Although multiple-choice questioning can test knowledge, it is not appropriate for determining what a controller would do in a particular operational situation.
Written examinations can also be computer-based.
(b) The most comprehensive method of testing the understanding of the person undertaking training, contrary to their possession of pure knowledge, would be a combination of written examinations that assess the knowledge of unit and national procedures, together with a separate oral examination which tests the understanding and reactions to operational situations.
ATCO.D.070 Assessments during unit endorsement courses
Regulation (EU) 2015/340
(a) The applicant's assessment shall be conducted in the operational environment under normal operational conditions at least once at the end of the on-the-job training.
(b) When the unit endorsement course contains a pre-on-the-job training phase, the applicant's skills shall be assessed on a synthetic training device at least at the end of this phase.
(c) Notwithstanding point (a), a synthetic training device may be used during a unit endorsement assessment to demonstrate the application of trained procedures not encountered in the operational environment during the assessment.
GM1 ATCO.D.070 Assessments during unit endorsement courses
ED Decision 2015/010/R
(a) DEDICATED ASSESSMENTS
(1) A dedicated assessment should be carried out for the issue or renewal of a unit endorsement.
(2) A dedicated assessment may consist of a single assessment or a series of assessments, as detailed in the unit training plan.
(3) To conduct a dedicated assessment, the assessor(s) should sit with the applicant with the purpose of observing the quality and assessing the standard of work being carried out and, if also acting as OJTI at the same time, to maintain a safe, orderly and expeditious flow of air traffic.
(4) The applicant concerned should be briefed on the conduct of the assessment.
(5) For those situations where an applicant’s performance cannot be observed at the time of the assessment (e.g. low visibility operations, snow clearing, military activity, etc.), the assessment may be supplemented by synthetic training device sessions and oral examination.
(6) Dedicated assessments may also be conducted at any stage of training as detailed in the unit training plan, where a more definitive measure of the progress is required, for example after 50 hours of practical training.
(b) CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT
(1) Continuous assessment may be performed by the assessor observing the standard of the air traffic control service provided by those whose competence he/she will certify as he/she works with them during unit training or normal operational duties.
(2) In cases where the assessors have not had sufficient contact with the applicant to adequately assess his/her performance, they will not certify the applicant’s competence until they have conducted a dedicated practical assessment. The applicant concerned must be advised that a dedicated practical assessment is to be conducted.
(c) ORAL EXAMINATION
(1) The oral examination is used to test the understanding of applicable techniques and the rules governing them, particularly of unit and national air traffic control procedures. Scenario-type questioning allows the examiners to gather additional evidence of how an applicant would react in circumstances that are not observable, but are nevertheless considered important to the overall operation at that ATC unit.
(2) The oral examination will give a clear indication that the applicant knows not only what he/she should be doing, but why he/she should be doing it. It requires considerable skills and it should be undertaken in a way to ensure consistency among individual examiners.