ATC Training

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 Learning Academy, located at Melbourne Airport, 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).

Most ab initio training is for enroute, but occasionally an ab initio tower course is run. Recruitment for tower and approach usually comes from experienced enroute controllers.

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

• 44 week's 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.

An ATC course in part of the simulator. This is a low-fidelity PC-based sim, compared with the TAAATS sim in Melbourne Centre which has all the functions of the TAAATS system. A new Academy sim will be opened in 2011.

The Ab Initio Training Course

Training modules are grouped together in several series:

...and these are divided into modules:

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.

No controller can survive in the field with 70% knowledge. A much higher level must be achieved in order to pass simulator training. Having said all that, any applicant who passes the rigorous selection process has the ability to pass. They need 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. 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.

More details of interest to applicants can be found here. Read about Kirsty and Joshua at work in the attachments below.