Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

ANNEX VIII U.K. Essential requirements for ATM/ANS and air traffic controllers

1. USE OF THE AIRSPACE U.K.

1.1. All aircraft, excluding those engaged in the activities referred to in Article 2(3)(a), in all phases of flight or on the movement area of an aerodrome, shall be operated in accordance with common general operating rules and any applicable procedure specified for the use of airspace. U.K.

1.2. All aircraft, excluding those engaged in the activities referred to in Article 2(3)(a), shall be equipped with the required constituents and operated accordingly. Constituents used in the ATM/ANS system shall also comply with the requirements in point 3. U.K.

2. SERVICES U.K.

2.1. Aeronautical information and data for airspace users for the purpose of air navigation U.K.

2.1.1. The data used as a source for aeronautical information shall be of sufficient quality, complete, current and provided in a timely manner. U.K.

2.1.2. Aeronautical information shall be accurate, complete, current, unambiguous, from a legitimate source, and of adequate integrity, as well as in a format suitable for users. U.K.

2.1.3. The dissemination of such aeronautical information to airspace users shall be timely and use sufficiently reliable and expeditious means of communication protected from intentional and unintentional interference and corruption. U.K.

2.2. Meteorological information U.K.

2.2.1. The data used as a source for aeronautical meteorological information shall be of sufficient quality, complete and current. U.K.

2.2.2. To the extent possible, aeronautical meteorological information shall be precise, complete, current, of adequate integrity and unambiguous in order to meet the needs of airspace users. Aeronautical meteorological information shall be from a legitimate source. U.K.

2.2.3. The dissemination of such aeronautical meteorological information to airspace users shall be timely and use sufficiently reliable and expeditious means of communication protected from interference and corruption. U.K.

2.3. Air traffic services U.K.

2.3.1. The data used as a source for the provision of air traffic services shall be correct, complete and current. U.K.

2.3.2. The provision of air traffic services shall be sufficiently precise, complete, current, and unambiguous to meet the safety needs of users. U.K.

2.3.3. Automated tools providing information or advice to users shall be properly designed, produced and maintained to ensure that they are fit for their intended purpose. U.K.

2.3.4. Air traffic control services and related processes shall provide for adequate separation between aircraft and, on the aerodrome manoeuvring area, prevent collisions between aircraft and obstructions and, where appropriate, assist in protection from other airborne hazards and shall ensure prompt and timely coordination with all relevant users and adjacent volumes of airspace. U.K.

2.3.5. Communication between air traffic services and aircraft and between relevant air traffic services units shall be timely, clear, correct and unambiguous, protected from interference and commonly understood and, if applicable, acknowledged by all actors involved. U.K.

2.3.6. Means shall be in place to detect possible emergencies and, when appropriate, to initiate effective search and rescue action. Such means shall, as a minimum, comprise appropriate alerting mechanisms, coordination measures and procedures, means and personnel to cover the area of responsibility efficiently. U.K.

2.4. Communication services U.K.

Communication services shall achieve and maintain sufficient performance with regard to their availability, integrity, continuity and timeliness. They shall be expeditious and protected from corruption and interference.

2.5. Navigation services U.K.

Navigation services shall achieve and maintain a sufficient level of performance with regard to guidance, positioning and, when provided, timing information. The performance criteria include accuracy, integrity, legitimacy of the source, availability, and continuity of the service.

2.6. Surveillance services U.K.

Surveillance services shall determine the respective position of aircraft in the air and of other aircraft and ground vehicles on the aerodrome surface, with sufficient performance with regard to their accuracy, integrity, legitimacy of the source, continuity and probability of detection.

2.7. Air traffic flow management U.K.

The tactical management of air traffic flows at Union level shall use and provide sufficiently precise and current information of the volume and nature of the planned air traffic affecting service provision and shall coordinate and negotiate re-routing or delaying traffic flows in order to reduce the risk of overloading situations occurring in the air or at the aerodromes. Flow management shall be performed with a view to optimising available capacity in the use of airspace and enhancing air traffic flow management processes. It shall be based on safety, transparency and efficiency, ensuring that capacity is provided in a flexible and timely manner, consistent with the European Air Navigation Plan.

The measures referred to in Article 43, concerning flow management shall support operational decisions by air navigation service providers, aerodrome operators and airspace users and shall cover the following areas:

(a)

flight planning;

(b)

use of available airspace capacity during all phases of flight, including en-route slot assignment;

(c)

use of routings by general air traffic, including:

• the creation of a single publication for route and traffic orientation,

• options for diversion of general air traffic from congested areas, and

• priority rules regarding access to airspace for general air traffic, particularly during periods of congestion and crisis; and

(d)

the consistency between flight plans and airport slots and the necessary coordination with adjacent regions, as appropriate.

2.8. Airspace management U.K.

The designation of specific volumes of airspace for a certain use shall be monitored, coordinated and promulgated in a timely manner in order to reduce the risk of loss of separation between aircraft in all circumstances. Taking into account the organisation of military activities and related aspects under the responsibility of the Member States, airspace management shall also support the uniform application of the concept of the flexible use of airspace as described by the ICAO and as implemented under Regulation (EC) No 551/2004, in order to facilitate airspace management and air traffic management in the context of the common transport policy.

2.9. Flight procedure design U.K.

Flight procedures shall be properly designed, surveyed and validated before they can be deployed and used by aircraft.

3. SYSTEMS AND CONSTITUENTS U.K.

3.1. General U.K.

ATM/ANS systems and ATM/ANS constituents providing related information to and from the aircraft and on the ground shall be properly designed, produced, installed, maintained, protected against unauthorised interference and operated to ensure that they are fit for their intended purpose.

The systems and procedures shall include in particular those required to support the following functions and services:

(a)

Airspace management;

(b)

Air traffic flow management;

(c)

Air traffic services, in particular flight data processing systems, surveillance data processing systems and human-machine interface systems;

(d)

Communications including ground-to-ground/space, air-to-ground and air-to-air/space communications;

(e)

Navigation;

(f)

Surveillance;

(g)

Aeronautical information services; and

(h)

Meteorological services.

3.2. System and constituent integrity, performance and reliability U.K.

The integrity and safety-related performance of systems and constituents whether on aircraft, on the ground or in space, shall be fit for their intended purpose. They shall meet the required level of operational performance for all their foreseeable operating conditions and for their whole operational life.

ATM/ANS systems and ATM/ANS constituents shall be designed, built, maintained and operated using the appropriate and validated procedures, in such a way as to ensure the seamless operation of the European air traffic management network (EATMN) at all times and for all phases of flight. Seamless operation can be expressed, in particular, in terms of information-sharing, including the relevant operational status information, common understanding of information, comparable processing performances and the associated procedures enabling common operational performances agreed for the whole or parts of the EATMN.

The EATMN, its systems and their constituents shall support, on a coordinated basis, new agreed and validated concepts of operation that improve the quality, sustainability and effectiveness of air navigation services, in particular in terms of safety and capacity.

The EATMN, its systems and their constituents shall support the progressive implementation of civil/military coordination, to the extent necessary for effective airspace and air traffic flow management, and the safe and efficient use of airspace by all users, through the application of the concept of the flexible use of airspace.

To achieve those objectives, the EATMN, its systems and their constituents shall support the timely sharing of correct and consistent information covering all phases of flight, between civil and military parties, without prejudice to security or defence policy interests, including requirements on confidentiality.

3.3. Design of systems and constituents U.K.

3.3.1. Systems and constituents shall be designed to meet applicable safety and security requirements. U.K.

3.3.2. Systems and constituents, considered collectively, separately and in relation to each other, shall be designed in such a way that an inverse relationship exists between the probability that any failure can result in a total system failure and the severity of its effect on the safety of services. U.K.

3.3.3. Systems and constituents, considered individually and in combination with each other, shall be designed taking into account limitations related to human capabilities and performance. U.K.

3.3.4. Systems and constituents shall be designed in a manner that protects them and the data they convey from harmful interactions with internal and external elements. U.K.

3.3.5. Information needed for production, installation, operation and maintenance of the systems and constituents as well as information concerning unsafe conditions shall be provided to personnel in a clear, consistent and unambiguous manner. U.K.

3.4. Continuing level of service U.K.

Safety levels of systems and constituents shall be maintained during service and any modifications to service.

4. QUALIFICATION OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS U.K.

4.1. General U.K.

A person undertaking training as an air traffic controller or as a student air traffic controller, shall be sufficiently mature educationally, physically and mentally to acquire, retain and demonstrate the relevant theoretical knowledge and practical skill.

4.2. Theoretical knowledge U.K.

4.2.1. An air traffic controller shall acquire and maintain a level of knowledge appropriate to the functions exercised and proportionate to the risks associated with the type of service. U.K.

4.2.2. Acquisition and retention of theoretical knowledge shall be demonstrated by continuous assessment during training, or by appropriate examinations. U.K.

4.2.3. An appropriate level of theoretical knowledge shall be maintained. Compliance shall be demonstrated by regular assessments or examinations. The frequency of examinations shall be proportionate to the level of risk associated with the type of service. U.K.

4.3. Practical skill U.K.

4.3.1. An air traffic controller shall acquire and maintain the practical skills appropriate to exercise his or her functions. Such skills shall be proportionate to the risks associated with the type of service and shall cover at least, if appropriate to the functions exercised, the following items: U.K.

(a)

operational procedures;

(b)

task specific aspects;

(c)

abnormal and emergency situations; and

(d)

human factors.

4.3.2. An air traffic controller shall demonstrate the ability to perform the associated procedures and tasks with a level of competence appropriate to the functions exercised. U.K.

4.3.3. A satisfactory level of competence in practical skill shall be maintained. Compliance shall be verified by regular assessments. The frequency of those assessments shall be proportionate to the complexity and the level of risk associated with the type of service and the tasks performed. U.K.

4.4. Language proficiency U.K.

4.4.1. An air traffic controller shall demonstrate proficiency to speak and understand English to the extent he/she is able to communicate effectively in voice-only (telephone/radiotelephone) and in face-to-face situations on concrete and work-related topics, including in emergency situations. U.K.

4.4.2. Whenever necessary in a defined volume of airspace for Air Traffic Service (ATS) provision purposes, an air traffic controller shall also have proficiency to speak and understand the national language(s) to the extent described above. U.K.

4.5. Synthetic training devices (STD) U.K.

When an STD is used for practical training on situational awareness and human factors or to demonstrate that skills are acquired or maintained, it shall have a level of performance that allows adequate simulation of the working environment and operational situations appropriate to the training provided.

4.6. Training course U.K.

4.6.1. Training shall be given by a training course, which may comprise theoretical and practical instruction, including training on an STD, if applicable. U.K.

4.6.2. A course shall be defined and approved for each type of training. U.K.

4.7. Instructors U.K.

4.7.1. Theoretical instruction shall be given by appropriately qualified instructors. They shall: U.K.

(a)

have appropriate knowledge in the field where instruction is to be given; and

(b)

have demonstrated the ability to use appropriate instructional techniques.

4.7.2. Instruction on practical skills shall be given by appropriately qualified instructors, who have the following qualifications: U.K.

(a)

meet the theoretical knowledge and the experience requirements appropriate to the instruction being given;

(b)

have demonstrated the ability to instruct and to use appropriate instructional techniques;

(c)

have practised instructional techniques in those procedures in which it is intended to provide instruction; and

(d)

receive regular refresher training to ensure that the instructional competences are maintained up to date.

4.7.3. Instructors on practical skills shall also be or have been entitled to act as an air traffic controller. U.K.

4.8. Assessors U.K.

4.8.1. Persons responsible for assessing the skill of air traffic controllers shall: U.K.

(a)

have demonstrated the ability to assess the performance of, and conduct tests and checks on air traffic controllers; and

(b)

receive regular refresher training to ensure that the assessment standards are maintained up to date.

4.8.2. Assessors on practical skills shall also be or have been entitled to act as an air traffic controller in those areas in which assessment is to be made. U.K.

4.9. Medical fitness of an air traffic controller U.K.

4.9.1. All air traffic controllers shall periodically demonstrate medical fitness to satisfactorily execute their functions. Compliance shall be shown by appropriate assessment taking into account the possible mental and physical degradation due to age. U.K.

4.9.2. Demonstration of medical fitness, comprising physical and mental fitness, shall include the demonstrated absence of any disease or disability, which makes the person providing an air traffic control (ATC) service unable: U.K.

(a)

to execute properly the tasks necessary to provide an ATC service,

(b)

to perform assigned duties at any time, or

(c)

to perceive correctly his/her environment.

4.9.3. Where medical fitness cannot be fully demonstrated, mitigation measures that provide equivalent safety may be implemented. U.K.

5. SERVICE PROVIDERS AND TRAINING ORGANISATIONS U.K.

5.1. Service provision shall not be undertaken unless the following conditions are met: U.K.

(a)

the service provider shall have directly or through agreements with third parties the means necessary for the scale and scope of the service. Those means shall comprise but are not limited to the following: systems, facilities, including power supply, management structure, personnel, equipment and its maintenance, documentation of tasks, responsibilities and procedures, access to relevant data and record-keeping;

(b)

the service provider shall develop and keep up-to-date management and operations manuals relating to the provision of its services and operate in accordance with those manuals. Such manuals shall contain all necessary instructions, information and procedures for the operations, the management system and for operations personnel to perform their duties;

(c)

as appropriate for the type of activity undertaken and the size of the organisation, the service provider shall implement and maintain a management system to ensure compliance with the essential requirements set out in this Annex, manage safety risks and aim for continuous improvement of this system;

(d)

the service provider shall use only suitably qualified and trained personnel and implement and maintain training and checking programmes for the personnel;

(e)

the service provider shall establish formal interfaces with all stakeholders which may influence directly the safety of their services to ensure compliance with the essential requirements set out in this Annex;

(f)

the service provider shall establish and implement a contingency plan covering emergency and abnormal situations that may occur in relation to its services, including in the case of events which result in significant degradation or interruption of its operations;

(g)

the service provider shall establish an occurrence reporting system as part of the management system under point (c) in order to contribute to the aim of continuous improvement of safety. The occurrence reporting system shall be compliant with the applicable Union law; and

(h)

the service provider shall make arrangements to verify that the safety performance requirements of any system and constituent they operate are met at any time.

5.2. ATC service provision shall not be undertaken unless the following conditions are met: U.K.

(a)

the prevention of fatigue of personnel providing an ATC service shall be managed through a rostering system. Such a rostering system needs to address duty periods, duty time and adapted rest periods. Limitations established within the rostering system shall take into account relevant factors contributing to fatigue such as, in particular, sleep deprivation, disruption of circadian cycles, night hours, cumulative duty time for given periods of time and also the sharing of allocated tasks between personnel;

(b)

the prevention of stress of personnel providing an ATC service shall be managed through education and prevention programmes;

(c)

the ATC service provider shall have in place procedures to verify that the cognitive judgement of personnel providing ATC services is not impaired or their medical fitness insufficient; and

(d)

the ATC service provider shall take into account operational and technical constraints as well as human factor principles in its planning and operations.

5.3. Communication, navigation and/or surveillance service provision shall not be undertaken unless the following condition is met: U.K.

The service provider shall keep relevant airspace users and ATS units informed on a timely basis of the operational status (and changes thereof) of their services provided for ATS purposes.

5.4. Training organisations U.K.

A training organisation providing training for personnel providing an ATC service shall meet the following requirements:

(a)

have all the means necessary for the scope of responsibilities associated with their activity. Those means comprise, but are not limited to, the following: facilities, personnel, equipment, methodology, documentation of tasks, responsibilities and procedures, access to relevant data and record-keeping;

(b)

as appropriate for the training provided and the size of the organisation, shall implement and maintain a management system to ensure compliance with the essential requirements set out in this Annex, manage safety risks, including risks related to deterioration in the standard of training, and aim for continuous improvement of this system; and

(c)

establish arrangements with other relevant organisations, as necessary, to ensure continuing compliance with the essential requirements set out in this Annex.

6. AEROMEDICAL EXAMINERS AND AEROMEDICAL CENTRES U.K.

6.1. Aero-medical examiners U.K.

An aero-medical examiner must:

(a)

be qualified and licensed in the practice of medicine;

(b)

have received training in aviation medicine and regular refresher training in aviation medicine to ensure that assessment standards are maintained up to date; and

(c)

have acquired practical knowledge and experience with regard to the conditions in which air traffic controllers carry out their duties.

6.2. Aero-medical centres U.K.

Aero-medical centres must meet the following conditions:

(a)

have all the means necessary for the scope of responsibilities associated with their privileges. Those means comprise, but are not limited to, the following: facilities, personnel, equipment, tools and material, documentation of tasks, responsibilities and procedures, access to relevant data and record-keeping;

(b)

as appropriate for the type of activity undertaken and the size of the organisation, implement and maintain a management system to ensure compliance with the essential requirements set out in this Annex, manage safety risks and aim for continuous improvement of this system; and

(c)

establish arrangements with other relevant organisations, as necessary, to ensure continuing compliance with the requirements set out in this Annex.