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This section outlines the complexities involved in defining a minimum Initial Training requirement and specifies its scope.
ATSEPs work with a wide range of CNS/ATM systems and equipment, each requiring training to develop specific skills that lead to operational competence. However, organizations vary in how they define and assign ATSEP functions and tasks. These differences make it impractical to prescribe a "one-size-fits-all" minimum training requirement that satisfies all organizational structures while ensuring a relevant and valid set of competencies for everyone.
It is widely accepted that all ATSEPs must reach a minimum required level of operational competence enabling them to perform safety related tasks with the specific equipment or systems they will be working with. These competencies apply regardless of the organization, location, or role composition.
Students achieve this competence by completing System/Equipment (S/E) Rating Training. Initial Training precedes S/E Rating Training and provides students with the foundational knowledge needed to prepare for it, but it does not grant full operational competence.
Furthermore, the minimum training requirement, as described in this section does not encompass all the possible roles and responsibilities that engineers and technicians may eventually be involved with. It is acknowledged that some organizations may assign ATSEPs additional responsibilities outside the scope and applicability of this specification.
For the purposes of this specification, the term ATSEP is used to describe "engineering and technical personnel undertaking operational safety related tasks" — that is, personnel who operate and maintain ATM equipment approved for operational use.
ATM equipment approved for operational use is defined as all engineering systems, facilities or devices that have been operationally released to be used either by airspace users (e.g., ground navigation facilities) directly, or are used in the provision of operational air traffic management services.
The minimum training requirement defines the knowledge and skills that learner ATSEPs must acquire through Initial Training, which consists of Basic Training and Qualification Training.
In some instances, particularly when learner ATSEPs already hold technical or engineering qualifications (e.g., engineering degrees), there is no need to repeat the objectives covered in this specification. If it can be verified or demonstrated that a learner ATSEP has already met the performance requirements of the relevant objectives, those objectives need not be retaught. The verification or demonstration of meeting these performance requirements must be documented.
The objectives in the Basic Training syllabus are common to all learner ATSEPs. Completion of every Basic Training objective is not a prerequisite for starting Qualification Training. However, all objectives must be achieved by the end of Initial Training. For pedagogical reasons, completing Basic Training before starting Qualification Training is recommended.
The Basic Training covers the following GAELICAM 'CNSATM.INITIAL' course modules:
Module 1: Introduction to ATM (Air Traffic Management)
Module 2: Familiarization with ATC (Air Traffic Control)
Module 3: Aeronautical Information Services (AIS)
Module 4: Meteorology
Module 5: CNS services
Module 6: Communications (C)
Module 7: Navigation (N)
Module 8: Surveillance (S)
Module 9: Data processing (DP)
Module 10: Monitoring and control of CNS/ATM system
Module 11: Maintenance procedures
Module 12: Energy and air conditioning
The minimum training requirement is applied to learner ATSEPs during Qualification Training by identifying the specific equipment and systems the ATSEP will ultimately work with. The 'Domain', 'Subject', and 'Topic' columns in the ATSEP/Controller/Pilot Training Itinerary will be used for this purpose.
GAELICAM courses that meet the qualification training requirements for each ATSEP are then marked with crosses (X) in the corresponding rows of the training itinerary table.
Important: When an ATSEP will work with a combination of systems or equipment, they must complete all the objectives in the relevant streams.
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