Chapter 4: Eligibility for Grant of an Air Traffic Controller Licence
Section 4.1: General
4.1.1 Eligibility Components
4.1.1.1 The cardinal requirements of eligibility for grant of an Air Traffic Controller Licence are that an individual must:
(a) hold a Class 3 medical certificate;
(b) pass both theory and functionally relevant practical (field) components of a training course;
(c) pass Rating and Endorsement examinations;
(d) meet Endorsement competency standards in a formal assessment;
(e) meet language proficiency requirements.
4.1.2 Medical Certificate
4.1.2.1 Where a condition is placed on or recorded against a Class 3 medical certificate in accordance with CASR Part 6, the holder’s Air Traffic Controller Licence is to be annotated to reflect that condition.
4.1.3 Training Plan
4.1.3.1 The candidate must have completed and passed, in turn, the theory component and the functionally relevant parts of the practical (field training) component of a course of training, based on the competencies at Chapter 5 (ATC Competencies). Such a training course is to be delivered in accordance with an educationally sound curriculum.
4.1.3.2 The curriculum, (including associated syllabus material and lesson plans), must be designed to address the Learning Objectives and functionally relevant Skills Objectives within this chapter, Chapter 4 of the MOS. Learning Objectives and Skills Objectives are expanded as Learning Outcomes in Advisory Circular – Air Traffic Controller Training – License Requirement, and are linked to their parent competencies.
Note:
Note: Learning Outcomes of themselves are not mandatory, but, as outcomes, define a means of meeting respective Learning Objectives and Skills Objectives:
Note: Learning Objectives are of a generic nature and constitute
college (theory) exit standards.
Note: Skills Objectives are of a more practical nature, are
categorised according to Rating function, and constitute field
training exit standards, the functionally relevant parts of which
must be met prior to Rating/Endorsement examinations and
assessments
Note: ‘Functionally relevant’ in this context relates to Rating functions and means that an individual being ‘stream-trained’ for — for example, Aerodrome Control, is required to have satisfactorily completed:
Note: the theory component of the training course (comprising
Learning Objectives), and
Note: as a minimum, the Skills Objectives for Aerodrome Control,
Note: before commencing the Rating and Endorsement examinations and assessment procedure.
4.1.4 Training Standards
4.1.4.1 Learning Objectives are to be met by an appropriate and validated assessment process that may include written examinations, assignments or projects. The aggregate pass standard must be 70 percent for every pre-rating component of the training course.
4.1.4.2 Skills Objectives are to be met by a training assessment process in either a field or simulated field environment. Individual achievements against these objectives must be determined by an appropriate person holding an Assessor qualification.
4.1.4.3 Written Examinations must be conducted under supervision and without reference to any documents, maps, charts or other material except where required and specified for individual questions.
4.1.5 Knowledge and Skills Objectives
4.1.5.1 The following tables contain the generic knowledge and specific skills objectives and required level of understanding relevant to the different ratings:
Note:
Note: In this chapter, the level numbers associated with Level of Knowledge or Performance Level denote the following:
Note: 1. Level 4:
Note: “A thorough knowledge of the subject and the ability to apply it with speed and accuracy.”
Note: 2. Level 5:
Note: “Extensive knowledge of the subject and the ability to apply procedures derived from it with judgement in the light of the circumstances.”
Note: (ICAO Training Manual, ICAO DOC 7192 Part D-2).
| ATC Licence Knowledge Objectives | Level of Knowledge |
|---|
| Apply the rules and regulations relevant to the air traffic controller | 5 |
| Apply the principles, uses and limitations of equipment used in the provision of air traffic services | 5 |
| Apply the principles of flight, principles of operation and functioning of aircraft power-plants, systems and aircraft performance relevant to air traffic control operations | 5 |
| Analyse human performance and limitations relevant to air traffic control | 5 |
| Interpret meteorological documentation, information and the origin and characteristics of weather phenomena affecting flight operations | 5 |
| Apply the principles and procedures of altimetry | 5 |
| Apply the principles, limitations and accuracy of air navigation, navigation systems and visual aids | 5 |
| Apply air traffic control, communications, radiotelephony and phraseology, operational procedures (routine and non-routine) | 5 |
| Interpret relevant aeronautical documentation and safety practices associated with flight | 5 |
| Aerodrome Control Skills Objectives | Performance Level |
|---|
| Use runways and taxiways efficiently | 5 |
| Apply separation standards | 5 |
| Apply wake turbulence standards | 5 |
| Use aerodrome control facilities | 5 |
| Make runway visual range observations | 5 |
| Control ground traffic on the aerodrome | 5 |
| Process arrivals, departures and circuits using the Visual Flight Rules | 5 |
| Process instrument and visual arrivals and departures using the Instrument Flight Rules | 5 |
| Process aircraft subject to an emergency | 5 |
| Process missed approaches | 5 |
| Assign separation to the pilot in command | 5 |
| Provide air traffic services during communication and/or navigation aid unavailability | 5 |
| Process military flights | 5 |
| Approach Control (Non-radar) Skills Objectives | Performance Level |
|---|
| Apply separation standards | 5 |
| Manage airspace | 4 |
| Communicate routinely and during emergencies | 5 |
| Process instrument arrivals and departures using the Instrument Flight Rules | 5 |
| Process visual arrivals by IFR and VFR aircraft | 5 |
| Assign separation to the pilot in command | 5 |
| Process missed approaches | 5 |
| Process aircraft subject to an emergency | 5 |
| Facilitate weather diversions | 5 |
| Provide a traffic advisory service | 5 |
| Provide air traffic services during communication and/or navigation aid unavailability | 5 |
| Process military flights | 5 |
| Area Control (Non-radar) Skills Objectives | Performance Level |
|---|
| Apply separation standards | 5 |
| Manage airspace | 5 |
| Communicate routinely and during emergencies | 5 |
| Process overflying aircraft | 5 |
| Process arriving and departing aircraft | 5 |
| Process aircraft subject to an emergency | 5 |
| Facilitate weather diversions | 5 |
| Provide a traffic advisory service | 5 |
| Provide air traffic services during communication and/or navigation aid unavailability | 5 |
| Process military flights | 5 |
| Radar Control Skills Objectives | Performance Level |
|---|
| Use radar equipment | 5 |
| Provide limited radar services | 5 |
| Apply radar separation standards | 5 |
4.1.6 Rating Examinations
4.1.6.1 A candidate for a rating to be annotated in an Air Traffic Controller Licence must pass a written examination initially, and subsequently, annually, in the subjects appropriate to the particular rating. These examinations must be administered, according to the requirements of these standards, by CASA, a Certified ATS Training Organisation or an ATS Certificate holder as appropriate.
4.1.6.2 The overall pass standard must be 100 percent.
4.1.6.3 The minimum acceptable initial response for each group of questions must be 80 percent.
4.1.6.4 An average of 80 percent over the whole examination, including any questions failed, shall not in itself be an acceptable initial response.
4.1.6.5 Failure to obtain at least 80 percent for each group of questions shall necessitate supplementary written examination.
4.1.6.6 Where 80 percent or greater, but less than 100 percent is attained for any group of questions, the examinee must provide additional correct responses to oral examination to attain the required 100 percent.
4.1.6.7 An initial written rating examination must be conducted under supervision and without reference to any documents, maps, charts, or other material except where specified and required for individual questions — that is, it must be a ‘closed book’ examination. The minimum number of questions pertaining to each rating must be 20.
4.1.7 Endorsement Examinations
4.1.7.1 A candidate for an endorsement to be annotated under a rating in an Air Traffic Controller Licence must pass a written examination initially, and subsequently, annually, in the subject matter specific to the particular endorsement. These examinations must be administered by CASA or the ATS certificate holder.
4.1.7.2 The overall pass standard must be 100 percent.
4.1.7.3 The minimum acceptable initial response for each group of questions must be 80 percent.
4.1.7.4 An average of 80 percent over the whole examination, including any questions failed, must not in itself be an acceptable initial response.
4.1.7.5 Failure to obtain at least 80 percent for each group of questions shall necessitate supplementary written examination.
4.1.7.6 Where 80 percent or greater, but less than 100 percent is attained for any group of questions, the examinee must provide additional correct responses to oral examination to attain the required 100 percent.
4.1.7.7 The initial written endorsement examination must be conducted under supervision and without reference to any documents, maps, charts, or other material except where specified and required for individual questions - that is, it must be a ‘closed book’ examination. The minimum number of questions pertaining to each endorsement must be 20, except that where examinations for more than one endorsement are conducted concurrently, the minimum number of questions per endorsement must be 10. Where the number of endorsements being examined exceeds 5, the minimum number of questions must be 50, apportioned equally over each endorsement.
4.1.8 English Language Proficiency
4.1.8.1 A candidate for an ATC licence must have a current aviation English language proficiency (Part 65) assessment.
Note:
Note: See Chapter 13.