GOVERNMENT OF INDIA OFFICE OF DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIATION TECHNICAL CENTRE, OPP SAFDARJANG AIRPORT, NEW DELHI CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 9 AIR SPACE AND AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SERIES 'L', PART I Issue II, 8 th January 2010 EFFECTIVE: FORTHWITH F. No. 9/38/2009-IR Subject: Criteria for Approval of Check/ Instructor/ Examiner Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs). 1. INTRODUCTION In compliance with the Standards and Recommended Practices contained in ICAO Annex 1 and recommendations made by various Courts of Inquiry regarding licensing of Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs) and grant of ratings to them, experienced and qualified air traffic control officers will be approved by DGCA as Check/Instructor/Examiner ATCOs who will train, check and examine the air traffic controllers. They shall also monitor and check performance of the ATCOs so as to maintain the required level of their competence and proficiency to provide the air traffic services. This Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) lays down the minimum requirements which an ATCO must meet for obtaining such approvals. The CAR is issued under the provisions of Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937. This CAR is issued in supersession of CAR Section 4 Series G Part I, Issue I dated 18 th September 2000. 2. APPLICABILITY This CAR is applicable to the civil authorities and personnel engaged in providing air traffic services in India. 3. DEFINITIONS Air Traffic All aircraft in flight or operating on the manoeuvring area of an aerodrome. 1
3.2 Air Traffic Service A generic term meaning variously, flight information service, alerting service, air traffic advisory service, air traffic control service (area control service, approach control service or aerodrome control service). 3.3 Air Traffic Services Unit A generic term meaning variously, air traffic control unit, flight information centre or air traffic services reporting office. 3.4 Air Traffic Control Unit A generic term meaning variously, area control centre, approach control office or aerodrome control tower. 3.5 Air Traffic Control Service A service provided for the purpose of; a) preventing collisions; between aircraft, and on the manoeuvring area between aircraft and obstructions; and b) expediting and maintaining an orderly flow of air traffic. 4. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 4.1 The seniority, position in the organisation and remuneration of an ATCO shall not be the only consideration for approval as a Check/ Instructor/ Examiner ATCO. 4.2 The organisation responsible for providing air traffic services at an aerodrome, before recommending to DGCA the names of ATCOs for such approval, shall subject them to a process of selection, suitability tests and necessary training. 4.3 The ATCO recommended for approval as Check/ Instructor/ Examiner ATCO should have: completed designated training course in air traffic services and assessed as fit to be Check/ Instructor/ Examiner ATCO as applicable, obtained ATC ratings in the first attempt, 2
(iii) the requisite experience in providing air traffic control services as laid down in para 5 below, (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) (viii) (ix) not failed in any proficiency check or refresher course during the preceding 3 years, the current ATC ratings in the relevant air traffic control units i.e Tower, Area, Approach, Approach Radar and Area Radar, as relevant, for the specific airport(s) for which approval is sought, a record free of notifiable accident attributable to his/ her proficiency during the preceding 10 years; a record free of Air proximity/atc incident attributable to his/ her proficiency during the preceding 3 years, consistently shown satisfactory performance in the provision of Air Traffic Services. medically fit as per the provisions contained in CAR Section 7 Series C Part I. 4.4 The ATCO recommended for approval as Check/ Instructor/ Examiner shall be known for his/ her impartiality, free from prejudices and strong likes and dislikes and capable of recording just and fair assessment. 4.5 The ATCO recommended for approval as Check/Instructor/ Examiner shall be capable of instilling high standard of discipline in the profession. 4.6 The ATCO once approved as Check/Instructor/Examiner may be disqualified by DGCA if subsequently found lacking in any of the aforesaid qualities. Besides, a board consisting of the Chief of Air Traffic Management and the Chief of ATC Training from the concerned organisation may recommend to DGCA the disqualification of a Check/ Instructor/ Examiner ATCO giving adequate justification. 4.7 In case adequate number of ATCOs meeting fully the criteria laid down in this CAR are not available, the DGCA may at his discretion relax the requirements taking into consideration the past performance and experience of the ATCOs on individual basis. 5. MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS 5.1 CHECK ATCO i) Total ATC experience of 5 years, having current ratings in at least two units i.e. Tower, Approach and Area Control Centre ratings for approval as Procedural Check ATCO ; 3
ii) Total ATC experience of 5 years with current Radar ratings including proficiency in Radar Data Processing System and Flight Data Processing System for automated systems where applicable, for approval as Radar Check ATCO. iii) Current Experience in the relevant ATC unit/s for 2 years at the specific airport for which the approval is sought. 5.2 INSTRUCTOR ATCO i) Total ATC experience of 10 years, having current procedural Tower, Approach and Area Control Centre ratings for approval as Procedural Instructor ATCO; ii) Total ATC experience of 10 years having Current Radar ratings including proficiency in Radar Data Processing System and Flight Data Processing Systems for automated systems where applicable, for approval as Radar Instructor ATCO. iii) Current Experience as a Check ATCO in the relevant ATC unit/s for 2 years at the specific airport for which the approval is sought. 5.3 EXAMINER ATCO i) Total ATC experience of 15 years, having current procedural Tower, Approach and Area Control Centre ratings for approval as Procedural Examiner ATCO. ii) iii) Total ATC experience of 15 years and having Current Radar ratings including proficiency in Radar Data Processing System and Flight Data Processing System for automated systems where applicable for approval as Radar Examiner ATCO. Current Experience as an Instructor ATCO in the relevant ATC unit/s for 2 years at the specific airport for which the approval is sought. Note: Other qualifications being equal, preference will be given to the ATCOs who have held the ATC ratings for more than one station. 6. PRIVILEGES The privileges of the Check/Instructor/Examiner ATCOs shall be as given below:- 4
6.1 CHECK ATCO To conduct proficiency checks of ATCOs who already hold the ATC ratings. To monitor performance of ATCOs. 6.2 INSTRUCTOR ATCO (iii) (iv) Training of ATCOs for issue and renewal of ATC ratings. To evaluate and assess the required level of competence of air traffic controllers undergoing On-the-Job Training. Training of check ATCO candidates. To exercise privileges of Check ATCO. 6.3 EXAMINER ATCO (iii) To conduct skill test for issue and renewal of ATC ratings. Training of Check/ Instructor/ Examiner ATCO candidates. To exercise privileges of a Check/ Instructor ATCO Note: The Check/Instructor/Examiner ATCO approved for Calcutta, Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and Guwahati airports can also act as Check/ Instructor/ Examiner ATCO for airports in that region where such Check/ Instructor/ Examiner ATCO is not available provided the Check/ Instructor/ Examiner ATCO has recent familiarisation at such airports. 7. RELEASE CHECKS An ATCO recommended for approval as Check/Instructor/Examiner ATCO shall undergo check by DGCA nominated Examiner ATCO for his/her proficiency as Check/ Instructor/ Examiner ATCO before granting approval. 8. VALIDITY 8.1 The approval of Check/Instructor/Examiner ATCOs shall remain valid only if he/ she continues to meet all the requirements contained in this CAR. 5
8.2 The approval of Check/Instructor/Examiner ATCOs shall be valid for a period of two year from the date of approval unless suspended /withdrawn earlier by DGCA. 8.3 For renewal of approval of Check/Instructor/Examiner ATCO the candidate must have exercised privileges of Check/ Instructor/ Examiner ATCO for at least 200 hours during the two year validity of the previous approval. 8.4 The renewal for approval of Check/Instructor/Examiner ATCO shall also be subject to check by DGCA nominated Examiner ATCOs. Sd/- (Dr. Nasim Zaidi) Director General of Civil Aviation 6