Air Traffic Control Training

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1. Air Traffic in WA

2. ATC in Australia

3.Geography and Weather in WA

4. Airspace Management over WA

5. The Perth Traffic

6. Flow Control and Sequencing

7. Military Operations

8. Working at West Radar

9. ATC Training

10. The Controller/Pilot Relationship

 



 


Airservices Australia has adopted the international procedures and standards recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for the licensing of air traffic controllers.   The curriculum follows the framework of ICAO's International Standards and Recommended Practices (SARP).  The Airservices College is a nationally accredited training organisation which allows it to issue ATC graduates with the Diploma of Aviation (Air Traffic Services).  

Air Traffic Control training is divided into three streams:

  • enroute ATC;
  • approach/departures (or terminal area); and
  • aerodrome (or tower).

Training for each of the streams follows a similar format.  As an example, Enroute training consists of several stages:

  • 6 months theory and simulator training at the Airservices College at Melbourne Airport;
  • 1 month TAAATS conversion training at either Melbourne or Brisbane Centres;
  • 1-2 month's classroom and simulator training for the trainee's assigned sector;
  • 2 month's on-the-job training on the sector.

 

The Ab Initio Training Course

Training modules are grouped together in several series:

Series

Training
ICAO International standards and practices
Airservices Corporate requirements
Systems

TAAATS training
Professional Professional development

 ...and these are divided into modules:

ICAO

 Basic aviation knowledge
Air law
Rules of the air
Air traffic services, aeronautical information services and search and rescue
Communications
Airports and aerodromes
Facilities
Aviation security
Navigation
Meteorology
Principles of flight
Flight instruments
Aircraft radio and electronic aids
Flight operations
Aircraft types and performance
Aviation health and safety
Area control practices and procedures
Area control practical - non-radar
Area control practical - radar 

Airservices Australia

 Human factors in aviation
Administration
Airservices corporate introduction and familiarisation
Introductory computer skills
SAR and in-flight emergencies
Field attachment
CNS/ATM concepts (Communication/Navigation/Surveillance/air traffic management)
Environmental issues in air traffic control
Systems TAAATS flight data processing
TAAATS equipment and operation
TAAATS work station operation
TAAATS automatic dependant surveillance (ADS)
TAAATS controller/pilot data link communications (CPDLC)
TAAATS flight information region operations
TAAATS degraded modes operation

 

Assessment
The ATC course is demanding and exacting.  ATC trainees are assessed throughout their training.  The minimum pass mark is 70% in each assessable subject, and 70% in the module overall; an average of 70% over a whole module, including examinations and assignments failed or not attempted, is NOT an acceptable pass!  Should a student fail to obtain at least 70% in a topic, ONE supplementary re-assessment is permitted.

Assessment methods include:

  • examinations;

  • projects;

  • simulations;

  • verbal and written reports;

  • computer-based training;

  • oral examinations and assessments.

Having said all that, any applicant who passes the rigorous selection process has the ability to pass.  They just require the commitment and focus.

Termination of Training
Milestones are significant events that occur during the training course and which are decisive regarding a students progress.  A trainee is required to pass all milestones set for the course.  If they do not, the Airservices College Manager will make a decision on:

  • continuation of training; or

  • remedial training; or

  • termination of training.

Should a student wish to appeal against this decision, the case is referred to the Manager Human Resources.

 

Graduation
The Trainee graduates to the field with a Diploma of Aviation (Air Traffic Services)  This, in itself, is not an air traffic controller qualification; the trainee must obtain an ATC license which is recognised by ICAO.  In Australia only the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and the RAAF may issue such licenses (Airservices Australia issues the license under a delegation from CASA).  

The trainee is posted for training to an ATC Group which has a sector approved for ab initio training.  (West Radar does not have any ab initio training but all other enroute groups do).  Once again the trainee must pass certain milestones which include examinations and simulator exercises.  On-the-job training is assessed each day and progress checks are made by the team leader.

Upon successfully passing final checks, which must be conducted on above average workload levels over several days, the trainee becomes a Journeyman Controller with an ATC license.  Another check is performed after 3 months and then at 6 months; all controllers are required to be checked every 6 months and pass an annual written theory examination.   After 6-12 months the controller commences training on the other sectors of the Group.  

Once endorsements for all the sectors of the group have been obtained, the Journeyman becomes a Full Performance Controller (FPC) and able to branch out into other aspects of the job such as:

  • training officer;

  • group support specialist;

  • group training specialist;

  • team leader; 

  • safety specialist;

  • operations manager.

All ATC applications are now taken online at Airservices Australia's SelectNet portal.  (A link is available on my Links page).  Those who apply are ranked in order of their online aptitude result.  Airservices then accepts the top performers for further assessment and interviews.  You can see a profile of one of my colleague's careers here.