4. QUALIFICATION OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS

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. 4.2.1. 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. 4.2.2. Acquisition and retention of theoretical knowledge shall be demonstrated by continuous assessment during training, or by appropriate examinations. 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. 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: operational procedures; task specific aspects; abnormal and emergency situations; and 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 4.6.1. Training shall be given by a training course, which may comprise theoretical and practical instruction, including training on an STD, if applicable. 4.6.2. A course shall be defined and approved for each type of training. 4.7.1. Theoretical instruction shall be given by appropriately qualified instructors. They shall: have appropriate knowledge in the field where instruction is to be given; and 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: meet the theoretical knowledge and the experience requirements appropriate to the instruction being given; have demonstrated the ability to instruct and to use appropriate instructional techniques; have practised instructional techniques in those procedures in which it is intended to provide instruction; and 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. 4.8.1. Persons responsible for assessing the skill of air traffic controllers shall: have demonstrated the ability to assess the performance of, and conduct tests and checks on air traffic controllers; and 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. 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. 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: to execute properly the tasks necessary to provide an ATC service, to perform assigned duties at any time, or 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.

← anx_VIII__cpt_1__cpt_3__cpt_4__text_1 · All articles · 4.1. General →

Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-10-12 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.