Directive 2006/23/EC of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

ANNEX II TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

PART A Initial training requirements for air traffic controllers

The initial training will ensure that student air traffic controllers satisfy at least the objectives for basic and rating training, as described in Eurocontrol's ‘Guidelines for air traffic controller Common Core Content Initial Training’, edition of 10 December 2004, so that air traffic controllers are capable of handling air traffic in a safe, quick and efficient way.

Initial training will cover the following subjects: aviation law, air traffic management, including procedures for civil-military cooperation, meteorology, navigation, aircraft and principles of flight, including an understanding between air traffic controller and pilot, human factors, equipment and systems, professional environment, safety and safety culture, safety management systems, unusual/emergency situations, degraded systems and linguistic knowledge, including radiotelephony phraseology.

The subjects will be taught in such a way that they prepare the applicants for the different types of air traffic services and highlight safety aspects. The initial training will consist of theoretical and practical courses, including simulation, and its duration will be determined in the approved initial training plans. Acquired skills must ensure that the candidate can be considered competent to handle complex and dense traffic situations, facilitating the transition to unit training. The competence of the candidate after initial training will be assessed through appropriate examinations or a system of continuous assessment.

PART B Unit training requirements for air traffic controllers

Unit training plans will detail the processes and timing required to allow the application of the unit procedures to the local area under the supervision of an on-the-job training instructor. The approved plan will include indications of all elements of the competence assessment system, including work arrangements, progress assessment and examination, together with procedures for notifying the national supervisory authority. Unit training may contain certain elements of the initial training which are specific to national conditions.

The duration of unit training will be determined in the unit training plan. The required skills will be assessed through appropriate examinations or a system of continuous assessment, by approved competence examiners or assessors who will be neutral and objective in their judgment. To this end, the national supervisory authorities will put in place appeal mechanisms to ensure fair treatment of candidates.

PART C Continuation training requirements for air traffic controllers

Rating and unit endorsements on air traffic controllers' licences will be kept valid through approved continuation training, which consists of training to maintain the skills of air traffic controllers, refresher courses, emergency training and, where appropriate, linguistic training.

Continuation training will consist of theoretical and practical courses, together with simulation. For this purpose, the training provider will establish unit competence schemes detailing the processes, manning and timing necessary to provide for the appropriate continuation training and to demonstrate competence. These schemes will be reviewed and approved at least every three years. The duration of the continuation training will be decided in accordance with the functional needs of the air traffic controllers working in the unit, in particular in the light of changes or planned changes in procedures or equipment, or in the light of the overall safety management requirements. The competence of each air traffic controller will be appropriately assessed at least every three years. The air navigation service provider will ensure that mechanisms are applied to guarantee fair treatment of licence holders where the validity of their endorsements cannot be extended.