EN Official Journal of the European Union L 63/1

COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2015/340

of 20 February 2015

laying down technical requirements and administrative procedures relating to air traffic controllers' licences and certificates pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council, amending Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 and repealing Commission Regulation (EU) No 805/2011

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 February 2008 on common rules in the field of civil aviation and establishing a European Aviation Safety Agency, and repealing Council Directive 91/670/EEC, Regulation (EC) No 1592/2002 and Directive 2004/36/EC (1), and in particular Articles 8c(10) and 10(5) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) Air traffic controllers and persons and organisations involved in their training, testing, checking and medical examination and assessment must comply with the relevant essential requirements set out in Annex Vb to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008. In particular, they are to be certified or licensed once they have demonstrated compliance with the essential requirements.

(2) The European licence has proved to be an effective way of recognising and certifying the competence of air traffic controllers, who as a profession play a unique role in the operation of safe air traffic control. The Union-wide competence standard has reduced fragmentation in this field and thus contributed to more efficient organisation of work in the current context of increased regional collaboration between air navigation service providers. Maintaining and improving the common licensing scheme for air traffic controllers working in the Union is an important part of the European air traffic control system. To this aim, technical requirements and administrative procedures related to air traffic controllers' licences and certificates, reflecting the state of the art in this domain, should now be laid down.

(3) The provision of air navigation services requires highly skilled personnel and in particular air traffic controllers, whose competence is demonstrated by a licence, issued on the basis of the detailed requirements set out in this Regulation. The rating on a licence should indicate the type of air traffic service an air traffic controller is competent to provide. The endorsements on the licence should reflect both the specific skills of the controller and the authorisation given by the competent authorities to provide services for a particular sector, group of sectors and/or working positions.

(4) The authorities performing supervision and verification of compliance under this Regulation should be sufficiently independent from air traffic controllers when issuing licences or extending the validity of the endorsements, when suspending or revoking licences, ratings, endorsements or certificates in cases where the conditions for their issue are no longer met. Those authorities should also be sufficiently independent from air navigation service providers and training organisations. They should remain capable of performing their tasks effectively. The competent authority or authorities charged with the responsibility set out in this Regulation may be the body or bodies designated or established in accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 549/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2). The European Aviation Safety Agency (hereinafter the ‘Agency’) should act as the competent authority for issuing and renewing certificates held by air traffic controller training organisations located outside the territory of the Member States and, where relevant, their personnel. As such, it should meet the same requirements.

(5) In light of the particular characteristics of air traffic in the Union, common competence standards for air traffic controllers employed by air navigation service providers should be introduced and effectively applied, ensuring air traffic management and air navigation services (ATM/ANS) to the public.

(6) Member States should have the possibility to apply this Regulation to their military personnel providing services to the public, as referred to in Article 1(2)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 216/2008.

(7) Poor communication is often a significant contributing factor in incidents and accidents. Therefore, detailed language proficiency requirements for air traffic controllers should be laid down. Those requirements are based on the requirements adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and provide a means of enforcing these internationally accepted standards. The principles of non-discrimination, transparency and proportionality are upheld with regard to language proficiency requirements in order to encourage free movement of workers, while ensuring safety. The validity of language proficiency endorsement should be proportionate to the proficiency level as determined in this Regulation.

(8) Common rules for issuing and maintaining licences for air traffic controllers are essential to increase Member States' confidence in each other's systems. To ensure the highest level of safety, uniform requirements for the training, qualifications and competence of air traffic controllers should therefore be introduced. This also serves to ensure the provision of safe, high-quality air traffic control services and it contributes to the recognition of licences throughout the Union, thereby increasing freedom of movement and improving the availability of air traffic controllers.

(9) The European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol) has set appropriate standards for initial training, set out in the Specification for the ATCO Common Core Content Initial Training. In order to reflect the scientific and technical progress and to facilitate a uniform approach to initial training, which is the key element for ensuring mobility among air traffic controllers, these standards should now be set out in Union law. Requirements should also be established for unit and continuation training, taking into account the applicable essential requirements as specified in Article 8c of Regulation (EC) No 216/2008. In the absence of European training requirements, Member States may continue to rely on training standards developed by ICAO.

(10) In consultation with a group of experts, Eurocontrol has developed requirements for medical assessment of air traffic controllers, which have already been used by Member States together with ICAO Annex 1. Those requirements should now be transposed into Union law in order to ensure their uniform application in all Member States.

(11) In order to ensure that Member States fulfil their safety responsibilities and obligations in a correct and structured manner by means of an administration and management system operated by competent authorities and organisations acting on their behalf, in line with ICAO State Safety Programme, this Regulation should stipulate the requirement to be applied by the competent authorities.

(12) The certification of training organisations is one of the essential factors contributing to the quality of air traffic controller training and thus to the safe provision of air traffic control. The requirements for training organisations should therefore be strengthened. It should be possible to certify training according to the type of training, as a package of training services or as a package of training and air navigation services, without losing sight of the particular characteristics of the training offered by each organisation.

(13) The general conditions for obtaining a licence, insofar as they relate to age and medical requirements, should not affect the holders of existing licences. In order to preserve existing licence privileges and provide smooth transition for all licence holders and for the competent authorities, licences and medical certificates issued by Member States in accordance with Directive 2006/23/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) and with Commission Regulation (EU) No 805/2011 (4) should be considered as having been issued in accordance with this Regulation.

(14) For the sake of consistency, the definition of psychoactive substance in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 (5) should be amended.

(15) While this Regulation builds on previous achievements and EU regulatory requirements, for the sake of clarity, Regulation (EU) No 805/2011 should be repealed.

(16) In accordance with Articles 17(2)(b) and 19(1) of Regulation (EC) No 216/2008, the Commission has been assisted by the Agency when preparing the measures provided for in this Regulation.

(17) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 65 of Regulation (EC) No 216/2008,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Subject matter and scope

1. This Regulation lays down detailed rules for:

(a) the conditions for issuing, suspending and revoking air traffic controllers and student air traffic controllers' licences, associated ratings and endorsements, and the privileges and responsibilities of those holding them;

(b) the conditions for issuing, limiting, suspending and revoking air traffic controllers and student air traffic controllers' medical certificates, and the privileges and responsibilities of those holding them;

(c) the certification of aero-medical examiners and aero-medical centres for air traffic controllers and student air traffic controllers;

(d) the certification of air traffic controller training organisations;

(e) the conditions for validating revalidating, renewing and using such licences, ratings, endorsements and certificates.

2. This Regulation shall apply to:

(a) student air traffic controllers and air traffic controllers exercising their functions within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 216/2008;

(b) persons and organisations involved in the licensing, training, testing, checking and medical examination and assessment of applicants in accordance with this Regulation.

Article 2

Compliance with requirements and procedures

1. The student air traffic controllers, the air traffic controllers and the persons involved in the licensing, training, testing, checking and medical examination and assessment of applicants referred to in Article 1(2)(a) and (b) shall be qualified and licensed in accordance with the provisions of Annexes I, III and IV by the competent authority referred to in Article 6.

2. The organisations referred to in Article 1(2)(b) shall be qualified in accordance with the technical requirements and administrative procedures laid down in Annexes I, III and IV and shall be certified by the competent authority referred to in Article 6.

3. The medical certification of the persons referred to in Article 1(2)(a) and (b) shall be compliant with the technical requirements and administrative procedures laid down in Annexes III and IV.

4. Air traffic controllers employed by air navigation service providers providing air traffic services in the airspace of the territory to which the Treaty applies and having their principal place of operations and their registered office, if any, located outside the territory subject to the provisions of the Treaty, shall be deemed to have been licenced in accordance with paragraph 1, where they meet both of the following conditions:

(a) they hold an air traffic controller licence issued by a third country in accordance with Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention;

(b) they have demonstrated to the competent authority referred to in Article 6 that they have received training and successfully passed examinations and assessments equivalent to those required by Part ATCO, Subpart D, Sections 1-4, set out in Annex I.

The tasks and functions assigned to the air traffic controllers referred to in the first subparagraph shall not exceed the privileges of the licence issued by the third country.

5. Practical instructors and assessors employed by a training organisation located outside the territory of the Member States shall be deemed to have been qualified in accordance with paragraph 1, where they meet both of the following conditions:

(a) they hold an air traffic controller licence issued by a third country in accordance with Annex I of the Chicago Convention with a rating and, if applicable, rating endorsement corresponding to the one for which they are authorised to instruct or assess;

(b) they have demonstrated to the competent authority referred to in Article 6 that they have received training and successfully passed examinations and assessments equivalent to those required by Part ATCO, Subpart D, Section 5, set out in Annex I.

The privileges referred to in the first subparagraph shall be specified in a certificate issued by a third country and shall be limited to provide instruction and assessment for training organisations located outside the territory of the Member States.

Article 3

Provision of air traffic control services

1. Air traffic control services shall only be provided by air traffic controllers qualified and licensed in accordance with this Regulation.

2. Subject to Article 1(3) of Regulation (EC) No 216/2008, Member States shall, as far as practicable, ensure that services provided or made available by military personnel to the public referred to in Article 1(2)(c) of that Regulation offer a level of safety that is at least equivalent to the level required by the essential requirements as defined in Annex Vb to that Regulation.

3. Member States may apply this Regulation to their military personnel providing services to the public.

Article 4

Definitions

For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) ‘abnormal situation’ means circumstances, including degraded situations, which are neither routinely nor commonly experienced and for which an air traffic controller has not developed automatic skills;

(2) ‘acceptable means of compliance (AMC)’ means non-binding standards adopted by the Agency to illustrate means by which to establish compliance with Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 and its implementing rules;

(3) ‘air traffic control (ATC) service’ means a service provided for the purpose of: (a) preventing collisions: — between aircraft, and — in the manoeuvring area between aircraft and obstructions; and (b) expediting and maintaining an orderly flow of air traffic;

(4) ‘air traffic control (ATC) unit’ means a generic term meaning variously, area control centre, approach control unit or aerodrome control tower;

(5) ‘alternative means of compliance’ means an alternative to an existing AMC or a new means to establish compliance with Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 and its implementing rules for which no associated AMC have been adopted by the Agency;

(6) ‘assessment’ means an evaluation of the practical skills leading to the issue of the licence, rating and/or endorsement(s) and their revalidation and/or renewal, including behaviour and the practical application of knowledge and understanding being demonstrated by the person being assessed;

(7) ‘assessor endorsement’ means the authorisation entered on and forming part of the licence, indicating the competence of the holder to assess the practical skills of student air traffic controller and air traffic controller;

(8) ‘critical incident stress’ means the manifestation of unusual and/or extreme emotional, physical and/or behavioural reactions in an individual following an unexpected event, an accident, an incident or serious incident;

(9) ‘emergency situation’ means a serious and dangerous situation requiring immediate actions;

(10) ‘examination’ means a formalised test evaluating the person's knowledge and understanding;

(11) ‘guidance material (GM)’ means non-binding material developed by the Agency that helps to illustrate the meaning of a requirement or specification and is used to support the interpretation of Regulation (EC) No 216/2008, its implementing rules and AMC;

(12) ‘ICAO location indicator’ means the four-letter code group formulated in accordance with the rules prescribed by ICAO in its manual 'DOC 7910' in its latest updated version and assigned to the location of an aeronautical fixed station;

(13) ‘language proficiency endorsement’ means the statement entered on and forming part of a licence, indicating the language proficiency of the holder;

(14) ‘licence’ means a document issued and endorsed in accordance with this Regulation and entitling its lawful holder to exercise the privileges of the ratings and endorsements contained therein;

(15) ‘on-the-job training instruction’ means the phase of unit training during which previously acquired job-related routines and skills are integrated in practice under the supervision of a qualified on-the-job training instructor in a live traffic situation;

(16) ‘on-the-job training instructor (OJTI) endorsement’ means the authorisation entered on and forming part of a licence, indicating the competence of the holder to give on-the-job training instruction and instruction on synthetic training devices;

(17) ‘part-task trainer (PTT)’ means a synthetic training device to provide training for specific and selected operational tasks without requiring the learner to practise all of the tasks which are normally associated with a fully operational environment;

(18) ‘performance objective’ means a clear and unambiguous statement of the performance expected of the person undertaking the training, the conditions under which the performance takes place and the standards that the person undertaking training should meet;

(19) ‘provisional inability’ means a temporary state in which the licence holder is prevented from exercising the privileges of the licence when ratings, endorsements and his/her medical certificate are valid;

(20) ‘psychoactive substance’ means alcohol, opioids, cannabinoids, sedatives and hypnotics, cocaine, other psychostimulants, hallucinogens, and volatile solvents, whereas caffeine and tobacco are excluded;

(21) ‘rating endorsement’ means the authorisation entered on and forming part of a licence, indicating the specific conditions, privileges or limitations pertaining to the relevant rating;

(22) ‘renewal’ means the administrative act taken after a rating, endorsement or certificate has expired that renew the privileges of the rating, endorsement or certificate for a further specified period subject to the fulfilment of specified requirements;

(23) ‘revalidation’ means the administrative act taken within the period of validity of a rating, endorsement or certificate that allows the holder to continue to exercise the privileges of a rating, endorsement or certificate for a further specified period subject to the fulfilment of specified requirements;

(24) ‘sector’ means a part of a control area and/or part of a flight information region or upper region;

(25) ‘simulator’ means a synthetic training device that presents the important features of the real operational environment and reproduces the operational conditions under which the person undertaking training can practice real-time tasks directly;

(26) ‘synthetic training device’ means any type of device by which operational conditions are simulated, including simulators and part-task trainers;

(27) ‘synthetic training device instructor (STDI) endorsement’ means the authorisation entered on and forming part of a licence, indicating the competence of the holder to give instruction on synthetic training devices;

(28) ‘training course’ means theoretical and/or practical instruction developed within a structured framework and delivered within a defined duration;

(29) ‘training organisation’ means an organisation which has been certified by the competent authority to provide one or more types of training;

(30) ‘unit endorsement’ means the authorisation entered on and forming part of a licence, indicating the ICAO location indicator and the sector, group of sectors or working positions where the licence holder is competent to work;

(31) ‘validation’ means a process by which, through the successful completion of a unit endorsement course associated to a rating or a rating endorsement, the holder may start exercising the privileges of that rating or rating endorsement.

Article 5

Competent authority

1. Member States shall nominate or establish one or more competent authority(ies) with allocated responsibilities for the certification and oversight of persons and organisations subject to this Regulation.

2. Within a functional airspace block or in the case of cross-border service provision the competent authorities shall be designated by agreement of the Member States concerned.

3. If a Member State nominates or establishes more than one competent authority, the areas of competence of each competent authority shall be clearly defined in terms of responsibilities and geographical area, where appropriate. Coordination shall be established between those authorities to ensure effective oversight of all persons and organisations subject to this Regulation within their respective remits.

4. The competent authority(ies) shall be independent from air navigation service providers and training organisations. This independence shall be achieved through adequate separation, at least at functional level, of the competent authorities on the one hand and air navigation service providers and the training organisations on the other hand. The competent authorities shall exercise their powers impartially and transparently.

The first subparagraph also applies to the Agency, where it acts as a competent authority pursuant to Article 6(2)(b) and (3)(a)(ii).

5. Member States shall ensure that the competent authorities have the necessary capability to conduct the certification and oversight activities covered by their certification and oversight programmes, including sufficient resources to fulfil the requirements of Annex II (Part ATCO.AR). In particular, Member States shall use the assessments produced by the competent authorities in accordance with point ATCO.AR.A.005(a) of Annex II in order to demonstrate their capability.

6. Member States shall ensure that, with respect to the personnel of the competent authorities that carry out the oversight and certification activities under this Regulation, there is no direct or indirect conflict of interest, in particular relating to family or financial interests of the personnel concerned.

7. The competent authority(ies) nominated or established by a Member State for the purposes of Commission Regulation (EU) No 805/2011 shall be deemed to remain the competent authority for the purposes of this Regulation, unless otherwise determined by the Member State concerned. In the latter case, Member States shall notify the Agency of the name(s) and address(es) of the competent authority(ies) that they nominate or establish in application of this Article, as well as any changes thereto.

Article 6

Competent authority for the purposes of Annexes I, III and IV

1. For the purpose of Annex I, the competent authority shall be the authority(ies) nominated or established by the Member State to whom the person applies for the issue of a licence.

2. For the purpose of Annex III and for the oversight of the requirements of Annex I regarding air navigation service providers, the competent authority shall be:

(a) the authority nominated or established by the Member State as its competent authority for oversight where the applicant has its principal place of operation or its registered office, if any, unless otherwise provided for in bilateral or multilateral agreements between Member States or their competent authorities;

(b) the Agency, if the applicant has its principle place of operation or its registered office, if any, outside the territory of the Member States.

3. For the purpose of Annex IV, the competent authority shall be:

(a) for aero-medical centres: (i) the authority designated by the Member State in which the aero-medical centre has its principal place of business; (ii) the Agency, when the aero-medical centre is located in a third country;

(b) for aero-medical examiners: (i) the authority designated by the Member State in which the aero-medical examiner has his or her principal place of practice; (ii) if the principal place of practice of an aero-medical examiner is located in a third country, the authority designated by the Member State to which the applicant aero-medical examiner applies for the issue of the certificate.

Article 7

Transitional provisions

1. Licences, ratings and endorsements issued in accordance with the relevant provisions of national legislation based on Directive 2006/23/EC and licences, ratings and endorsements issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 805/2011 shall be deemed to have been issued in accordance with this Regulation.

2. The Area Control Procedural (ACP) rating with the Oceanic Control (OCN) rating endorsement issued on the basis of national rules based on Article 31(1) of Regulation (EU) No 805/2011 shall be deemed to have been issued in accordance with this Regulation.

3. Medical certificates and certificates for training organisations, aero-medical examiners and aero-medical centres, approvals of unit competence schemes and training plans issued in accordance with the relevant provisions of national legislation based on Directive 2006/23/EC in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 805/2011 shall be deemed to have been issued in accordance with this Regulation.

Article 8

Replacement of licences, adaptations of privileges, training courses and unit competence schemes

1. Member States shall replace the licences referred to in Article 7(1) with licences complying with the format laid down in Appendix 1 of Annex II to this Regulation by 31 December 2015, or 31 December 2016, when the Member State makes use of the derogation in Article 11(2), at the latest.

2. Member States shall replace the certificates for air traffic controller training organisations referred to in Article 7(3) with certificates complying with the format laid down in Appendix 2 of Annex II to this Regulation by 31 December 2015, or 31 December 2016, when the Member State makes use of the derogation in Article 11(2), at the latest.

3. Member States shall replace the certificates for aero-medical examiners and the certificates for aero-medical centres referred to in Article 7(3) with certificates complying with the format laid down in Appendices 3 and 4 of Annex II to this Regulation by 31 December 2015, or 31 December 2016, when the Member State makes use of the derogation in Article 11(2), at the latest.

4. The competent authorities shall convert the privileges of examiners and assessors for initial training pursuant to Article 20 of Commission Regulation (EU) No 805/2011 and of competence examiners and competence assessors for unit and continuation training approved by the competent authority pursuant to Article 24 of Regulation (EU) No 805/2011 into the privileges of an assessor endorsement pursuant to this Regulation, if appropriate, by 31 December 2015, or 31 December 2016, when the Member State makes use of the derogation in Article 11(2), at the latest.

5. The competent authorities may convert the privileges for national simulator or synthetic training device instructors into privileges for a synthetic training device instructor endorsement according to this Regulation, if appropriate, by 31 December 2015, or 31 December 2016, when the Member State makes use of the derogation in Article 11(2), at the latest

6. Air navigation service providers shall adapt their unit competence schemes to comply with the requirements of this Regulation by 31 December 2015, or 31 December 2016, when the Member State makes use of the derogation in Article 11(2), at the latest.

7. Air traffic controller training organisations shall adapt their training plans to comply with the requirements of this Regulation by 31 December 2015, or 31 December 2016, when the Member State makes use of the derogation in Article 11(2), at the latest.

8. Certificates of completion of training courses that started prior to the application of this Regulation in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 805/2011 shall be accepted for the purpose of the issue of the relevant licences, ratings and endorsements in accordance with this Regulation provided that the training and the assessment have been completed by 30 June 2016, or 30 June 2017, when the Member State makes use of the derogation in Article 11(2), at the latest.

Article 9

Amendment to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 923/2012

In Article 2 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 923/2012, point 104 is replaced by the following:

‘104. “psychoactive substance” means alcohol, opioids, cannabinoids, sedatives and hypnotics, cocaine, other psychostimulants, hallucinogens, and volatile solvents, whereas caffeine and tobacco are excluded;’

Article 10

Repeal

Commission Regulation (EU) No 805/2011 is repealed.

Article 11

Entry into force and application

1. This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply from 30 June 2015.

2. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, Member States may decide not to apply Annexes I to IV, in whole or in part, before 31 December 2016.

When a Member State makes use of this possibility, it shall notify the Commission and the Agency by 1 July 2015 at the latest. This notification shall describe the scope of the derogation(s) as well as the programme for implementation containing actions envisaged and related timing. In that case, the relevant provisions of Commission Regulation (EU) No 805/2011 shall continue to apply.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. Done at Brussels, 20 February 2015. For the Commission The President Jean-Claude JUNCKER

(1) OJ L 79, 19.3.2008, p. 1.

(2) Regulation (EC) No 549/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 March 2004 laying down the framework for the creation of the single European sky (OJ L 96, 31.3.2004, p. 10).

(3) Directive 2006/23/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2006 on a Community air traffic controller licence (OJ L 114, 27.4.2006, p. 22).

(4) Commission Regulation (EU) No 805/2011 of 10 August 2011 laying down detailed rules for air traffic controllers' licences and certain certificates pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 206, 11.8.2011, p. 21).

(5) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 of 26 September 2012 laying down the common rules of the air and operational provisions regarding services and procedures in air navigation and amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1035/2011 and Regulations (EC) No 1265/2007, (EC) No 1794/2006, (EC) No 730/2006, (EC) No 1033/2006 and (EU) No 255/2010 (OJ L 281, 13.10.2012, p. 1).

TABLE OF CONTENTS ANNEX I — PART ATCO — REQUIREMENTS FOR THE LICENSING OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS 18 SUBPART A — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 18 ATCO.A.001 Scope 18 ATCO.A.005 Application for the issue of licences, ratings and endorsements 18 ATCO.A.010 Exchange of licences 18 ATCO.A.015 Exercise of the privileges of licences and provisional inability 18 ATCO.A.020 Revocation and suspension of licences, ratings and endorsements 19 SUBPART B — LICENCES, RATINGS AND ENDORSEMENTS 19 ATCO.B.001 Student air traffic controller licence 19 ATCO.B.005 Air traffic controller licence 19 ATCO.B.010 Air traffic controller ratings 20 ATCO.B.015 Rating endorsements 20 ATCO.B.020 Unit endorsements 21 ATCO.B.025 Unit competence scheme 22 ATCO.B.030 Language proficiency endorsement 23 ATCO.B.035 Validity of language proficiency endorsement 23 ATCO.B.040 Assessment of language proficiency 24 ATCO.B.045 Language training 24 SUBPART C — REQUIREMENTS FOR INSTRUCTORS AND ASSESSORS 24 SECTION 1 — INSTRUCTORS 24 ATCO.C.001 Theoretical instructors 24 ATCO.C.005 Practical instructors 25 ATCO.C.010 On-the-job training instructor (OJTI) privileges 25 ATCO.C.015 Application for on-the-job training instructor endorsement 25 ATCO.C.020 Validity of on-the-job training instructor endorsement 25 ATCO.C.025 Temporary OJTI authorisation 25 ATCO.C.030 Synthetic training device instructor (STDI) privileges 26 ATCO.C.035 Application for synthetic training device instructor endorsement 26 ATCO.C.040 Validity of synthetic training device instructor endorsement 26 SECTION 2 — ASSESSORS 27 ATCO.C.045 Assessor privileges 27 ATCO.C.050 Vested interests 27 ATCO.C.055 Application for assessor endorsement 27 ATCO.C.060 Validity of assessor endorsement 28 ATCO.C.065 Temporary assessor authorisation 28 SUBPART D — AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER TRAINING 28 SECTION 1 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 28 ATCO.D.001 Objectives of air traffic controller training 28 ATCO.D.005 Types of air traffic controller training 28 SECTION 2 — INITIAL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS 29 ATCO.D.010 Composition of initial training 29 ATCO.D.015 Initial training plan 30 ATCO.D.020 Basic and rating training courses 30 ATCO.D.025 Basic training examinations and assessment 31 ATCO.D.030 Basic training performance objectives 31 ATCO.D.035 Rating training examinations and assessment 31 ATCO.D.040 Rating training performance objectives 32 SECTION 3 — UNIT TRAINING REQUIREMENTS 32 ATCO.D.045 Composition of unit training 32 ATCO.D.050 Prerequisites of unit training 33 ATCO.D.055 Unit training plan 33 ATCO.D.060 Unit endorsement course 34 ATCO.D.065 Demonstration of theoretical knowledge and understanding 34 ATCO.D.070 Assessments during unit endorsement courses 34 SECTION 4 — CONTINUATION TRAINING REQUIREMENTS 34 ATCO.D.075 Continuation training 34 ATCO.D.080 Refresher training 34 ATCO.D.085 Conversion training 35 SECTION 5 — TRAINING OF INSTRUCTORS AND ASSESSORS 35 ATCO.D.090 Training of practical instructors 35 ATCO.D.095 Training of assessors 35 APPENDIX 1 of Annex I — LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY RATING SCALE — REQUIREMENTS FOR PROFICIENCY IN LANGUAGES 36 APPENDIX 2 of Annex I — BASIC TRAINING 39 Subject 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE 39 Subject 2: AVIATION LAW 39 Subject 3: AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT 40 Subject 4: METEOROLOGY 41 Subject 5: NAVIGATION 42 Subject 6: AIRCRAFT 43 Subject 7: HUMAN FACTORS 44 Subject 8: EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS 45 Subject 9: PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT 46 APPENDIX 3 of Annex I — AERODROME CONTROL VISUAL RATING (ADV) 47 Subject 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE 47 Subject 2: AVIATION LAW 47 Subject 3: AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT 48 Subject 4: METEOROLOGY 49 Subject 5: NAVIGATION 49 Subject 6: AIRCRAFT 49 Subject 7: HUMAN FACTORS 50 Subject 8: EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS 51 Subject 9: PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT 51 Subject 10: ABNORMAL AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS 51 Subject 11: AERODROMES 52 APPENDIX 4 of Annex I — AERODROME CONTROL INSTRUMENT RATING FOR TOWER — ADI (TWR) 53 Subject 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE 53 Subject 2: AVIATION LAW 53 Subject 3: AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT 54 Subject 4: METEOROLOGY 55 Subject 5: NAVIGATION 55 Subject 6: AIRCRAFT 56 Subject 7: HUMAN FACTORS 56 Subject 8: EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS 57 Subject 9: PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT 57 Subject 10: ABNORMAL AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS 58 Subject 11: AERODROMES 58 APPENDIX 5 of Annex I — APPROACH CONTROL PROCEDURAL RATING (APP) 59 Subject 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE 59 Subject 2: AVIATION LAW 59 Subject 3: AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT 60 Subject 4: METEOROLOGY 61 Subject 5: NAVIGATION 61 Subject 6: AIRCRAFT 61 Subject 7: HUMAN FACTORS 62 Subject 8: EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS 63 Subject 9: PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT 63 Subject 10: ABNORMAL AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS 63 Subject 11: AERODROMES 64 APPENDIX 6 of Annex I — AREA CONTROL PROCEDURAL RATING (ACP) 65 Subject 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE 65 Subject 2: AVIATION LAW 65 Subject 3: AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT 66 Subject 4: METEOROLOGY 67 Subject 5: NAVIGATION 67 Subject 6: AIRCRAFT 67 Subject 7: HUMAN FACTORS 68 Subject 8: EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS 68 Subject 9: PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT 69 Subject 10: ABNORMAL AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS 69 APPENDIX 7 of Annex I — APPROACH CONTROL SURVEILLANCE RATING (APS) 70 Subject 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE 70 Subject 2: AVIATION LAW 70 Subject 3: AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT 71 Subject 4: METEOROLOGY 72 Subject 5: NAVIGATION 72 Subject 6: AIRCRAFT 73 Subject 7: HUMAN FACTORS 73 Subject 8: EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS 74 Subject 9: PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT 74 Subject 10: ABNORMAL AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS 75 Subject 11: AERODROMES 75 APPENDIX 8 of Annex I — AREA CONTROL SURVEILLANCE RATING (ACS) 76 Subject 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE 76 Subject 2: AVIATION LAW 76 Subject 3: AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT 77 Subject 4: METEOROLOGY 78 Subject 5: NAVIGATION 78 Subject 6: AIRCRAFT 79 Subject 7: HUMAN FACTORS 79 Subject 8: EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS 80 Subject 9: PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT 80 Subject 10: ABNORMAL AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS 81 ANNEX II — PART ATCO.AR — REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPETENT AUTHORITIES 82 SUBPART A — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 82 ATCO.AR.A.001 Scope 82 ATCO.AR.A.005 Personnel 82 ATCO.AR.A.010 Tasks of the competent authorities 82 ATCO.AR.A.015 Means of compliance 83 ATCO.AR.A.020 Information to the Agency 83 ATCO.AR.A.025 Immediate reaction to a safety problem 84 SUBPART B — MANAGEMENT 84 ATCO.AR.B.001 Management system 84 ATCO.AR.B.005 Allocation of tasks to qualified entities 85 ATCO.AR.B.010 Changes to the management system 85 ATCO.AR.B.015 Record keeping 85 SUBPART C — OVERSIGHT AND ENFORCEMENT 86 ATCO.AR.C.001 Oversight 86 ATCO.AR.C.005 Oversight programme 86 ATCO.AR.C.010 Findings and enforcement measures for personnel 87 SUBPART D — ISSUE, REVALIDATION, RENEWAL, SUSPENSIONAND REVOCATION OF LICENCES, RATINGS AND ENDORSEMENTS 87 ATCO.AR.D.001 Procedure for the issue, revalidation and renewal of licences, ratings, endorsements and authorisations 87 ATCO.AR.D.005 Revocation and suspension of licences, ratings and endorsements 88 SUBPART E — CERTIFICATION PROCEDURE FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER TRAINING ORGANISATIONS AND APPROVAL OF TRAINING COURSES 88 ATCO.AR.E.001 Application and certification procedure for training organisations 88 ATCO.AR.E.005 Approval of training courses and training plans 89 ATCO.AR.E.010 Changes to the training organisations 89 ATCO.AR.E.015 Findings and corrective actions 89 SUBPART F — SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO AERO-MEDICAL CERTIFICATION 90 SECTION 1 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 90 ATCO.AR.F.001 Aero-medical centres and aero-medical certification 90 SECTION 2 — DOCUMENTATION 91 ATCO.AR.F.005 Medical certificate 91 ATCO.AR.F.010 AME certificate 91 ATCO.AR.F.015 AeMC certificate 91 ATCO.AR.F.020 Aero-medical forms 91 APPENDIX 1 of Annex II — Format for licence — AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER LICENCE 92 APPENDIX 2 of Annex II — CERTIFICATE FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER TRAINING ORGANISATIONS (ATCO TOs) 98 APPENDIX 3 of Annex II — CERTIFICATE FOR AERO-MEDICAL EXAMINERS (AMEs) 100 APPENDIX 4 of Annex II — CERTIFICATE FOR AERO-MEDICAL CENTRES (AeMCs) 102 ANNEX III — PART ATCO.OR — REQUIREMENTS FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER TRAINING ORGANISATIONS AND AERO-MEDICAL CENTRES 103 SUBPART A — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 103 ATCO.OR.A.001 Scope 103 SUBPART B — REQUIREMENTS FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER TRAINING ORGANISATIONS 103 ATCO.OR.B.001 Application for a training organisation certificate 103 ATCO.OR.B.005 Means of compliance 103 ATCO.OR.B.010 Terms of approval and privileges of a training organisation certificate 104 ATCO.OR.B.015 Changes to the training organisation 104 ATCO.OR.B.020 Continued validity 104 ATCO.OR.B.025 Access to training organisations' facilities and data 104 ATCO.OR.B.030 Findings 104 ATCO.OR.B.035 Immediate reaction to a safety problem 105 ATCO.OR.B.040 Occurrence reporting 105 SUBPART C — MANAGEMENT OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER TRAINING ORGANISATIONS 105 ATCO.OR.C.001 Management system of training organisations 105 ATCO.OR.C.005 Contracted activities 105 ATCO.OR.C.010 Personnel requirements 106 ATCO.OR.C.015 Facilities and equipment 106 ATCO.OR.C.020 Record keeping 106 ATCO.OR.C.025 Funding and insurances 106 SUBPART D — REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAINING COURSES AND TRAINING PLANS 107 ATCO.OR.D.001 Requirements for training courses and training plans 107 ATCO.OR.D.005 Examination and assessment results and certificates 107 SUBPART E — REQUIREMENTS FOR AERO-MEDICAL CENTRES 107 ATCO.OR.E.001 Aero-medical centres 107 ANNEX IV — PART ATCO.MED -MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS 108 SUBPART A — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 108 SECTION 1 — GENERAL 108 ATCO.MED.A.001 Competent authority 108 ATCO.MED.A.005 Scope 108 ATCO.MED.A.010 Definitions 108 ATCO.MED.A.015 Medical confidentiality 109 ATCO.MED.A.020 Decrease in medical fitness 109 ATCO.MED.A.025 Obligations of AeMC and AME 109 SECTION 2 — REQUIREMENTS FOR MEDICAL CERTIFICATES 110 ATCO.MED.A.030 Medical certificates 110 ATCO.MED.A.035 Application for a medical certificate 110 ATCO.MED.A.040 Issue, revalidation and renewal of medical certificates 110 ATCO.MED.A.045 Validity, revalidation and renewal of medical certificates 111 ATCO.MED.A.046 Suspension or revocation of a medical certificate 111 ATCO.MED.A.050 Referral 112 SUBPART B — REQUIREMENTS FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER MEDICAL CERTIFICATES 112 SECTION 1 — GENERAL 112 ATCO.MED.B.001 Limitations to medical certificates 112 SECTION 2 — MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CLASS 3 MEDICAL CERTIFICATES 112 ATCO.MED.B.005 General 112 ATCO.MED.B.010 Cardiovascular system 113 ATCO.MED.B.015 Respiratory system 115 ATCO.MED.B.020 Digestive system 116 ATCO.MED.B.025 Metabolic and endocrine systems 116 ATCO.MED.B.030 Haematology 116 ATCO.MED.B.035 Genitourinary system 117 ATCO.MED.B.040 Infectious disease 117 ATCO.MED.B.045 Obstetrics and gynaecology 117 ATCO.MED.B.050 Musculoskeletal system 117 ATCO.MED.B.055 Psychiatry 118 ATCO.MED.B.060 Psychology 118 ATCO.MED.B.065 Neurology 118 ATCO.MED.B.070 Visual system 119 ATCO.MED.B.075 Colour vision 120 ATCO.MED.B.080 Otorhinolaryngology 120 ATCO.MED.B.085 Dermatology 120 ATCO.MED.B.090 Oncology 121 SUBPART C — AERO-MEDICAL EXAMINERS (AMEs) 121 ATCO.MED.C.001 Privileges 121 ATCO.MED.C.005 Application 121 ATCO.MED.C.010 Requirements for the issue of an AME certificate 121 ATCO.MED.C.015 Training courses in aviation medicine 122 ATCO.MED.C.020 Changes to the AME certificate 122 ATCO.MED.C.025 Validity of AME certificates 122

ANNEX I PART ATCO REQUIREMENTS FOR THE LICENSING OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS SUBPART A GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ATCO.A.001 Scope This Part, set out in this Annex, establishes the requirements for the issue, revocation and suspension of student air traffic controller licences and air traffic controller licences, their associated ratings and endorsements, and the conditions of their validity and use. ATCO.A.005 Application for the issue of licences, ratings and endorsements (a) An application for the issue of licences, ratings and endorsements shall be submitted to the competent authority in accordance with the procedure established by that authority. (b) An application for the issue of further ratings or endorsements, for the revalidation or renewal of endorsements and for the reissue of the licence shall be submitted to the competent authority which issued that licence. (c) The licence shall remain the property of the person to whom it is issued, unless it is revoked by the competent authority. The licence holder shall sign the licence. (d) The licence shall specify all relevant information related to the privileges that are granted by the licence and shall comply with the requirements in Appendix 1 of Annex II. ATCO.A.010 Exchange of licences (a) If the licence holder is to exercise the privileges of the licence in a Member State for which the competent authority is not the one that issued the licence, the licence holder shall submit an application to exchange his/her licence for a licence issued by the competent authority of the Member State where the privileges are to be exercised in accordance with the procedure established by this authority, except where otherwise foreseen in agreements concluded among the Member States. For this purpose, the authorities involved shall share all the relevant information needed to carry out the licence exchange according to the procedures referred to in ATCO.AR.B.001(c). (b) For the purposes of the exchange and for exercising the privileges of the licence in a Member State other than that in which the licence was issued, the licence holder must fulfil the language proficiency requirements referred to in ATCO.B.030 established by the respective Member State. (c) The new licence shall include ratings, rating endorsements, licence endorsements and all valid unit endorsements in the licence, including the date of their first issue and expiry, if applicable. (d) Following the receipt of the new licence, the licence holder shall submit an application referred to in ATCO.A.005 together with his/her air traffic controller licence in order to get new ratings, rating endorsements, licence endorsements or unit endorsements. (e) Following the exchange, the previously issued licence shall be returned to the authority that issued it. ATCO.A.015 Exercise of the privileges of licences and provisional inability (a) The exercise of the privileges granted by a licence shall be dependent on the validity of the ratings, endorsements and of the medical certificate. (b) Licence holders shall not exercise the privileges of their licence when having doubts of being able to safely exercise the privileges of the licence and shall in such cases immediately notify the relevant air navigation service provider of the provisional inability to exercise the privileges of their licence. (c) Air navigation service providers may declare the provisional inability of the licence holder if they become aware of any doubt concerning the ability of the licence holder to safely exercise the privileges of the licence. (d) Air navigation service providers shall develop and implement objective, transparent and non-discriminatory procedures to enable licence holders declaring provisional inability to exercise the privileges of their licence in accordance with point (b), to declare the provisional inability of the licence holder in accordance with point (c), to manage the operational impact of provisional inability cases and to inform the competent authority as defined in that procedure. (e) The procedures referred to in point (d) shall be included in the unit competence scheme according to ATCO.B.025(a)(13). ATCO.A.020 Revocation and suspension of licences, ratings and endorsements (a) Licences, ratings and endorsements may be suspended or revoked by the competent authority according to ATCO.AR.D.005 when the licence holder does not comply with the requirements of this Part. (b) When the licence holder has his/her licence revoked, he/she shall immediately return the licence to the competent authority according to the administrative procedures established by that authority. (c) With the issue of the air traffic controller licence the student air traffic controller licence is revoked and shall be returned to the competent authority which is issuing the air traffic controller licence. SUBPART B LICENCES, RATINGS AND ENDORSEMENTS ATCO.B.001 Student air traffic controller licence (a) Holders of a student air traffic controller licence shall be authorised to provide air traffic control services in accordance with the rating(s) and rating endorsement(s) contained in their licence under the supervision of an on-the-job training instructor and to undertake training for rating endorsement(s). (b) Applicants for the issue of a student air traffic controller licence shall: (1) be at least 18 years old; (2) have successfully completed initial training at a training organisation satisfying the requirements laid down in Annex III (Part ATCO.OR) relevant to the rating, and if applicable, to the rating endorsement, as set out in Part ATCO, Subpart D, Section 2; (3) hold a valid medical certificate; (4) have demonstrated an adequate level of language proficiency in accordance with the requirements set out in ATCO.B.030. (c) The student air traffic controller licence shall contain the language endorsement(s) and at least one rating and, if applicable, one rating endorsement. (d) The holder of a student air traffic controller licence who has not started exercising the privileges of that licence within one year from the date of its issue or has interrupted exercising those privileges for a period of more than one year may only start or continue unit training in that rating after an assessment of his/her previous competence, conducted by a training organisation satisfying the requirements laid down in Annex III (Part ATCO.OR) and certified to provide initial training relevant to the rating, as to whether he/she continues to satisfy the requirements relevant to that rating, and after satisfying any training requirements resulting from this assessment. ATCO.B.005 Air traffic controller licence (a) Holders of an air traffic controller licence shall be authorised to provide air traffic control services in accordance with the ratings and rating endorsements of their licence, and to exercise the privileges of the endorsements contained therein. (b) The privileges of an air traffic controller licence shall include the privileges of a student air traffic controller licence as set out in ATCO.B.001(a). (c) Applicants for the first issue of an air traffic controller licence shall: (1) hold a student air traffic controller licence; (2) have completed a unit endorsement course and successfully passed the appropriate examinations and assessments in accordance with the requirements set out in Part ATCO, Subpart D, Section 3; (3) hold a valid medical certificate; (4) have demonstrated an adequate level of language proficiency in accordance with the requirements set out in ATCO.B.030. (d) The air traffic controller licence shall be validated by the inclusion of one or more ratings and the relevant rating, unit and language proficiency endorsements for which the training was successful. (e) The holder of an air traffic controller licence who has not started exercising the privileges of any rating within one year from the date of its issue may only start unit training in that rating after an assessment of his/her previous competence, conducted by a training organisation satisfying the requirements laid down in Annex III (Part ATCO.OR) and certified to provide initial training relevant to the rating, as to whether he/she continues to satisfy the requirements relevant to that rating, and after satisfying any training requirements resulting from this assessment. ATCO.B.010 Air traffic controller ratings (a) Licences shall contain one or more of the following ratings in order to indicate the type of service which the licence holder is authorised to provide: (1) the Aerodrome Control Visual (ADV) rating, indicating that the licence holder is competent to provide an air traffic control service to aerodrome traffic at an aerodrome that has no published instrument approach or departure procedures; (2) the Aerodrome Control Instrument (ADI) rating, indicating that the licence holder is competent to provide an air traffic control service to aerodrome traffic at an aerodrome that has published instrument approach or departure procedures and shall be accompanied by at least one of the rating endorsements described in ATCO.B.015(a); (3) the Approach Control Procedural (APP) rating, indicating that the licence holder is competent to provide an air traffic control service to arriving, departing or transiting aircraft without the use of surveillance equipment; (4) the Approach Control Surveillance (APS) rating, indicating that the licence holder is competent to provide an air traffic control service to arriving, departing or transiting aircraft with the use of surveillance equipment; (5) the Area Control Procedural (ACP) rating, indicating that the licence holder is competent to provide an air traffic control service to aircraft without the use of surveillance equipment; (6) the Area Control Surveillance (ACS) rating, indicating that the licence holder is competent to provide an air traffic control service to aircraft with the use of surveillance equipment. (b) The holder of a rating who has interrupted exercising the privileges associated with that rating for a period of four or more immediately preceding consecutive years may only start unit training in that rating after assessment of previous competence, conducted by a training organisation satisfying the requirements laid down in Annex III (Part ATCO.OR) and certified to provide training relevant to the rating, as to whether the person concerned continues to satisfy the conditions of that rating, and after satisfying any training requirements resulting from this assessment. ATCO.B.015 Rating endorsements (a) The Aerodrome Control Instrument (ADI) rating shall bear at least one of the following endorsements: (1) the Air Control (AIR) endorsement, indicating that the licence holder is competent to provide air control to traffic flying in the vicinity of an aerodrome and on the runway; (2) the Ground Movement Control (GMC) endorsement, indicating that the licence holder is competent to provide ground movement control; (3) the Tower Control (TWR) endorsement, indicating that the licence holder is competent to provide aerodrome control service. The TWR endorsement includes the privileges of the AIR and GMC endorsements; (4) the Ground Movement Surveillance (GMS) endorsement, granted in addition to the Ground Movement Control endorsement or Tower Control endorsement, indicating that the licence holder is competent to provide ground movement control with the help of aerodrome surface movement guidance systems; (5) the Aerodrome Radar Control (RAD) endorsement, granted in addition to the Air Control endorsement or Tower Control endorsement, indicating that the licence holder is competent to provide aerodrome control with the help of surveillance radar equipment. (b) The Approach Control Surveillance (APS) rating may bear one or more of the following endorsements: (1) the Precision Approach Radar (PAR) endorsement, indicating that the licence holder is competent to provide ground-controlled precision approaches with the use of precision approach radar equipment to aircraft on the final approach to the runway; (2) the Surveillance Radar Approach (SRA) endorsement, indicating that the licence holder is competent to provide ground-controlled non-precision approaches with the use of surveillance equipment to aircraft on the final approach to the runway; (3) the Terminal Control (TCL) endorsement, indicating that the licence holder is competent to provide air traffic control services with the use of any surveillance equipment to aircraft operating in a specified terminal area and/or adjacent sectors. (c) The Area Control Procedural (ACP) rating may bear the Oceanic Control (OCN) endorsement, indicating that the holder of the licence is competent to provide air traffic control services to aircraft operating in an Oceanic Control Area. (d) The Area Control Surveillance (ACS) rating may bear one of the following endorsements: (1) the Terminal Control (TCL) endorsement, indicating that the licence holder is competent to provide air traffic control services with the use of any surveillance equipment to aircraft operating in a specified terminal area and/or adjacent sectors; (2) the Oceanic Control (OCN) endorsement, indicating that the licence holder is competent to provide air traffic control services to aircraft operating in an Oceanic Control Area. ATCO.B.020 Unit endorsements (a) The unit endorsement shall authorise the licence holder to provide air traffic control services for a specific sector, group of sectors and/or working positions under the responsibility of an air traffic services unit. (b) Applicants for a unit endorsement shall have successfully completed a unit endorsement course in accordance with the requirements set out in Part ATCO, Subpart D, Section 3. (c) Applicants for a unit endorsement following an exchange of a licence referred to in ATCO.A.010 shall, in addition to the requirements set out in point (b), meet the requirements of ATCO.D.060(f). (d) For air traffic controllers providing air traffic control services to aircraft carrying out flight tests, the competent authority may, in addition to the requirements set out in point (b), set out additional requirements to be met. (e) Unit endorsements shall be valid for a period defined in the unit competence scheme. This period shall not exceed three years. (f) The validity period of unit endorsements for initial issue and renewal shall start not later than 30 days from the date on which the assessment has been successfully completed. (g) Unit endorsements shall be revalidated if: (1) the applicant has been exercising the privileges of the licence for a minimum number of hours as defined in the unit competence scheme; (2) the applicant has undertaken refresher training within the validity period of the unit endorsement according to the unit competence scheme; (3) the applicant's competence has been assessed in accordance with the unit competence scheme not earlier than three months prior to the expiry date of the unit endorsement. (h) Unit endorsements shall be revalidated, provided that the requirements set out in point (g) are met, within the 3-month period immediately preceding their expiry date. In such cases the validity period shall be counted from that expiry date. (i) If the unit endorsement is revalidated before the period provided for in point (h), its validity period shall start not later than 30 days from the date on which the assessment has been successfully completed, provided that the requirements in point (g)(1) and (2) are also met. (j) If the validity of a unit endorsement expires, the licence holder shall successfully complete the unit endorsement course in accordance with the requirements set out in Part ATCO, Subpart D, Section 3 in order to renew the endorsement. ATCO.B.025 Unit competence scheme (a) Unit competence schemes shall be established by the air navigation service provider and approved by the competent authority. It shall include at least the following elements: (1) the validity of the unit endorsement in accordance with ATCO.B.020(e); (2) the maximum continuous period when the privileges of a unit endorsement are not exercised during its validity. This period shall not exceed 90 calendar days; (3) the minimum number of hours for exercising the privileges of the unit endorsement within a defined period of time, which shall not exceed 12 months, for the purpose of ATCO.B.020(g)(1). For on-the-job training instructors exercising the privileges of the OJTI endorsement the time spent instructing shall be counted for the maximum of 50 % of the hours required for revalidation of the unit endorsement. (4) procedures for the cases where the licence holder does not meet the requirements set out in point (a)(2) and (3); (5) processes for assessing competence, including assessment of the refresher training subjects according to ATCO.D.080(b); (6) processes for the examination of theoretical knowledge and understanding necessary to exercise privileges of the ratings and endorsements; (7) processes to identify the topics and subtopics, objectives and training methods for continuation training; (8) the minimum duration and frequency of the refresher training; (9) processes for the examination of theoretical knowledge and/or the assessment of practical skills acquired during conversion training, including pass marks for examinations; (10) processes in case of failure of an examination or assessment, including the appeal processes; (11) training personnel qualifications, roles and responsibilities; (12) procedure to ensure that practical instructors have practised instructional techniques in the procedures in which it is intended to provide instruction in accordance with ATCO.C.010(b)(3) and ATCO.C.030(b)(3); (13) procedures for the declaration and the management of cases of provisional inability to exercise the privileges of a licence, as well as for informing the competent authority in accordance with ATCO.A.015(d); (14) identification of records to be kept specific to continuation training and assessments, in accordance with ATCO.AR.B.015; (15) process and reasons for reviewing and amending the unit competence scheme and its submission to the competent authority. The review of the unit competence scheme shall take place at least once every three years. (b) In order to comply with the requirement set out in point (a)(3), air navigation service providers shall keep records of the hours, during which each licence holder exercises the privileges of his/her unit endorsement working in sectors, group of sectors and/or working positions in the ATC unit and shall provide that data to the competent authorities and to the licence holder upon request. (c) When establishing the procedures referred to in point (a)(4) and (13) air navigation service providers shall ensure that mechanisms are applied to guarantee fair treatment of licence holders where the validity of their endorsements cannot be extended. ATCO.B.030 Language proficiency endorsement (a) Air traffic controllers and student air traffic controllers shall not exercise the privileges of their licences unless they have a valid language proficiency endorsement in English and, if applicable, in the language(s) imposed by the Member State for reasons of safety at the ATC unit as published in the Aeronautical Information Publications. The language proficiency endorsement shall indicate the language(s), the level(s) of proficiency and the expiry date(s). (b) The language proficiency level shall be determined in accordance with the rating scale set out in Appendix 1 of Annex I. (c) The applicant for any language proficiency endorsement shall demonstrate, in accordance with the rating scale referred to in point (b), at least an operational level (level four) of language proficiency. To do so, the applicant shall: (1) communicate effectively in voice only (telephone/radiotelephone) and in face-to-face situations; (2) communicate on common, concrete and work-related topics with accuracy and clarity; (3) use appropriate communicative strategies to exchange messages and to recognise and resolve misunderstandings in a general or work-related context; (4) handle successfully and with relative ease the linguistic challenges presented by a complication or unexpected turn of events that occur within the context of a routine work situation or communicative task with which they are otherwise familiar; and (5) use a dialect or accent which is intelligible to the aeronautical community. (d) Notwithstanding point (c), extended level (level five) of the language proficiency rating scale set out in Appendix 1 of Annex I may be required by the air navigation service provider, where the operational circumstances of the particular rating or endorsement warrant a higher level of language proficiency for imperative reasons of safety. Such a requirement shall be non-discriminatory, proportionate, transparent, and objectively justified by the air navigation service provider wishing to apply the higher level of proficiency and shall be approved by the competent authority. (e) Language proficiency shall be demonstrated by a certificate attesting the result of the assessment. ATCO.B.035 Validity of language proficiency endorsement (a) The validity of the language proficiency endorsement, depending on the level determined in accordance with Appendix 1 of Annex I, shall be: (1) for operational level (level four), three years from the date of assessment; or (2) for extended level (level five), six years from the date of assessment; (3) for expert level (level six): (i) nine years from the date of assessment, for the English language; (ii) unlimited, for any other language(s) referred to in ATCO.B.030(a). (b) The validity period of the language proficiency endorsements for initial issue and renewal shall start not later than 30 days from the date on which the language proficiency assessment has been successfully completed. (c) Language proficiency endorsements shall be revalidated following successful completion of the language proficiency assessment taking place within three months immediately preceding their expiry date. In such cases the new validity period shall be counted from that expiry date. (d) If the language proficiency endorsement is revalidated before the period provided for in point (c), its validity period shall start not later than 30 days from the date on which the language proficiency assessment has been successfully completed. (e) When the validity of a language proficiency endorsement expires, the licence holder shall successfully complete a language proficiency assessment in order to have his/her endorsement renewed. ATCO.B.040 Assessment of language proficiency (a) The demonstration of language proficiency shall be done through a method of assessment approved by the competent authority, which shall contain: (1) the process by which an assessment is done; (2) the qualification of the assessors; (3) the appeals procedure. (b) Language assessment bodies shall comply with the requirements established by the competent authorities according to ATCO.AR.A.010. ATCO.B.045 Language training (a) Air navigation service providers shall make available language training to maintain the required level of language proficiency of air traffic controllers to: (1) holders of language proficiency endorsement at operational level (level four); (2) licence holders without the opportunity to apply their skills on a regular basis in order to maintain their language skills. (b) Language training may also be made available in the form of continuous training. SUBPART C REQUIREMENTS FOR INSTRUCTORS AND ASSESSORS SECTION 1 Instructors ATCO.C.001 Theoretical instructors (a) Theoretical training shall only be carried out by appropriately qualified instructors. (b) A theoretical instructor is appropriately qualified if he/she: (1) holds an air traffic controller licence and/or holds a professional qualification appropriate to the subject being taught and/or has demonstrated adequate knowledge and experience to the training organisation; (2) has demonstrated instructional skills to the training organisation. ATCO.C.005 Practical instructors A person shall only carry out practical training when he/she holds an air traffic controller licence with an on-the-job training instructor (OJTI) endorsement or a synthetic training device instructor (STDI) endorsement. ATCO.C.010 On-the-job training instructor (OJTI) privileges (a) Holders of an OJTI endorsement are authorised to provide practical training and supervision on operational working positions for which a valid unit endorsement is held and on synthetic training devices in the ratings held. (b) Holders of an OJTI endorsement shall only exercise the privileges of the endorsement if they have: (1) exercised for at least two years the privilege of the rating they will instruct in; (2) exercised for an immediately preceding period of at least six months the privilege of the valid unit endorsement, in which instruction will be given; (3) practised instructional skills in those procedures in which it is intended to provide instruction. (c) The period of two years referred to in point (b)(1) can be shortened to not less than one year by the competent authority when requested by the training organisation. ATCO.C.015 Application for on-the-job training instructor endorsement Applicants for the issue of an OJTI endorsement shall: (a) hold an air traffic controller licence with a valid unit endorsement; (b) have exercised the privileges of an air traffic controller licence for a period of at least two years immediately preceding the application. This period can be shortened to not less than one year by the competent authority when requested by the training organisation; and (c) within the year preceding the application, have successfully completed a practical instructional techniques course during which the required knowledge and pedagogical skills are taught and have been appropriately assessed. ATCO.C.020 Validity of on-the-job training instructor endorsement (a) The OJTI endorsement shall be valid for a period of three years. (b) The OJTI endorsement may be revalidated by successfully completing refresher training on practical instructional skills during its validity period, provided that the requirements of ATCO.C.015(a) and (b) are met. (c) If the OJTI endorsement has expired, it may be renewed by: (1) receiving refresher training on practical instructional skills; and (2) successfully passing a practical instructor competence assessment; within the year preceding the application for renewal, provided that the requirements of ATCO.C.015(a) and (b) are met. (d) In the case of first issue and renewal the period of validity of the OJTI endorsement shall start not later than 30 days from the date on which the assessment has been successfully completed. (e) If the requirements of ATCO.C.015(a) and (b) are not met the OJTI endorsement may be exchanged for an STDI endorsement, provided that compliance with the requirements of ATCO.C.040(b) and (c) is ensured. ATCO.C.025 Temporary OJTI authorisation (a) When compliance with the requirements provided for in ATCO.C.010(b)(2) is not possible, the competent authority may grant temporary OJTI authorisation based on a safety analysis presented by the air navigation service provider. (b) The temporary OJTI authorisation referred to in point (a) may be issued to holders of a valid OJTI endorsement issued in accordance with ATCO.C.015. (c) The temporary OJTI authorisation referred to in point (a) shall be limited to the instruction necessary to cover exceptional situations and its validity shall not exceed one year or the expiration of the validity of the OJTI endorsement issued in accordance with ATCO.C.015, whichever occurs sooner. ATCO.C.030 Synthetic training device instructor (STDI) privileges (a) Holders of an STDI endorsement are authorised to provide practical training on synthetic training devices: (1) for subjects of practical nature during initial training; (2) for unit training other than OJT; and (3) for continuation training. Where the STDI is providing pre-OJT, he/she shall hold or have held the relevant unit endorsement. (b) Holders of an STDI endorsement shall only exercise the privileges of the endorsement if they have: (1) at least two years' experience in the rating they will instruct in; (2) demonstrated knowledge of current operational practices; (3) practised instructional techniques in those procedures in which it is intended to provide instruction. (c) Notwithstanding point (b)(1) (1) for the purpose of basic training any rating held is appropriate; (2) for the purpose of rating training, training may be provided for specific and selected operational tasks by an STDI holding a rating that is relevant for that specific and selected operational task. ATCO.C.035 Application for synthetic training device instructor endorsement Applicants for the issue of an STDI endorsement shall: (a) have exercised the privileges of an air traffic controller licence in any rating for at least two years; and (b) within the year preceding the application have successfully completed a practical instructional techniques course during which the required knowledge and pedagogical skills are taught using theoretical and practical methods and have been appropriately assessed. ATCO.C.040 Validity of synthetic training device instructor endorsement (a) The STDI endorsement shall be valid for a period of three years. (b) The STDI endorsement may be revalidated by successfully completing refresher training on practical instructional skills and on current operational practices during its validity period. (c) If the STDI endorsement has expired, it may be renewed by: (1) receiving refresher training on practical instructional skills and on current operational practices; and (2) successfully passing a practical instructor competence assessment; within the year preceding the application for renewal. (d) In the case of first issue and renewal the period of validity of the STDI endorsement shall start not later than 30 days from the date on which the assessment has been successfully completed. SECTION 2 Assessors ATCO.C.045 Assessor privileges (a) A person shall only carry out assessments when he/she holds an assessor endorsement. (b) Holders of an assessor endorsement are authorised to carry out assessments: (1) during initial training for the issue of a student air traffic controller licence or for the issue of a new rating and/or rating endorsement, if applicable; (2) of previous competence for the purpose of ATCO.B.001(d) and ATCO.B.010(b); (3) of student air traffic controllers for the issue of a unit endorsement and rating endorsements, if applicable; (4) of air traffic controllers for the issue of a unit endorsement and rating endorsements, if applicable, as well as for revalidation and renewal of a unit endorsement; (5) of applicant practical instructors or applicant assessors when compliance with the requirements of point (d)(2) to (4) is ensured. (c) Holders of an assessor endorsement shall only exercise the privileges of the endorsement if they have: (1) at least two years' experience in the rating and rating endorsement(s) they will assess in; and (2) demonstrated knowledge of current operational practices. (d) In addition to the requirements set out in point (c), holders of an assessor endorsement shall only exercise the privileges of the endorsement: (1) for assessments leading to the issue, revalidation and renewal of a unit endorsement, if they also hold the unit endorsement associated with the assessment for an immediately preceding period of at least one year; (2) for assessing the competence of an applicant for the issue or renewal of an STDI endorsement, if they hold an STDI or OJTI endorsement and have exercised the privileges of that endorsement for at least three years; (3) for assessing the competence of an applicant for the issue or renewal of an OJTI endorsement, if they hold an OJTI endorsement and have exercised the privileges of that endorsement for at least three years; (4) for assessing the competence of an applicant for the issue or renewal of an assessor endorsement, if they have exercised the privileges of the assessor endorsement for at least three years. (e) When assessing for the purpose of issue and renewal of a unit endorsement, and for ensuring supervision on the operational working position, the assessor shall also hold an OJTI endorsement, or an OJTI holding the valid unit endorsement associated with the assessment shall be present. ATCO.C.050 Vested interests Assessors shall not conduct assessments whenever their objectivity may be affected. ATCO.C.055 Application for assessor endorsement Applicants for the issue of an assessor endorsement shall: (a) have exercised the privileges of an air traffic controller licence for at least two years; and (b) within the year preceding the application have successfully completed an assessor course during which the required knowledge and skills are taught using theoretical and practical methods, and have been appropriately assessed. ATCO.C.060 Validity of assessor endorsement (a) The assessor endorsement shall be valid for a period of three years. (b) The assessor endorsement may be revalidated by successfully completing refresher training on assessment skills and on current operational practices during its validity period. (c) If the assessor endorsement has expired, it may be renewed by: (1) receiving refresher training on assessment skills and on current operational practices; and (2) successfully passing an assessor competence assessment; within the year preceding the application for renewal. (d) In the case of first issue and renewal the period of validity of the assessor endorsement shall start not later than 30 days from the date on which the assessment has been successfully completed. ATCO.C.065 Temporary assessor authorisation (a) When the requirement provided for in ATCO.C.045 (d)(1) cannot be met, the competent authority may authorise holders of an assessor endorsement issued in accordance with ATCO.C.055 to carry out assessments referred to in ATCO.C.045(b)(3) and (4) to cover exceptional situations or to ensure the independence of the assessment, provided that the requirements set out in points (b) and (c) are met. (b) For the purpose of covering exceptional situations the holder of the assessor endorsement shall also hold a unit endorsement with the associated rating and, if applicable, rating endorsement, relevant to the assessment for an immediately preceding period of at least one year. The authorisation shall be limited to the assessments necessary to cover exceptional situations and shall not exceed one year or the validity of the assessor endorsement issued in accordance with ATCO.C.055, whichever occurs sooner. (c) For the purpose of ensuring the independence of the assessment for reasons of recurrent nature the holder of the assessor endorsement shall also hold a unit endorsement with the associated rating and, if applicable, rating endorsement, relevant to the assessment for an immediately preceding period of at least one year. The validity of the authorisation shall be determined by the competent authority but shall not exceed the validity of the assessor endorsement issued in accordance with ATCO.C.055. (d) For issuing a temporary assessor authorisation for the reasons referred to in points (b) and (c) the competent authority may require a safety analysis to be presented by the air navigation service provider. SUBPART D AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER TRAINING SECTION 1 General requirements ATCO.D.001 Objectives of air traffic controller training Air traffic controller training shall cover the entirety of theoretical courses, practical exercises, including simulation, and on-the-job training required in order to acquire and maintain the skills to deliver safe, orderly and expeditious air traffic control services. ATCO.D.005 Types of air traffic controller training (a) Air traffic controller training shall consist of the following types: (1) initial training, leading to the issue of a student air traffic controller licence or to the issue of an additional rating and, if applicable, rating endorsement, providing: (i) ‘basic training’: theoretical and practical training designed to impart fundamental knowledge and practical skills related to basic operational procedures; (ii) ‘rating training’: theoretical and practical training designed to impart knowledge and practical skills related to a specific rating and, if applicable, to rating endorsement; (2) unit training, leading to the issue of an air traffic controller licence, the issue of a rating endorsement, the validation of rating(s) or rating endorsement(s) and/or the issue or renewal of a unit endorsement. It comprises the following phases: (i) transitional training phase, designed primarily to impart knowledge and understanding of site-specific operational procedures and task-specific aspects; and (ii) on-the-job training phase, which is the final phase of unit training during which previously acquired job-related routines and skills are integrated in practice under the supervision of a qualified on-the-job training instructor in a live traffic situation. (iii) In addition to points (i) and (ii), for unit endorsement(s) that require the handling of complex and dense traffic situations, a pre-on-the-job training phase is required to enhance the previously acquired rating routines and skills and to prepare for live traffic situations which may be encountered in that unit; (3) continuation training, designed to maintain the validity of the endorsements of the licence, consisting of: (i) refresher training; (ii) conversion training, when relevant. (b) In addition to the types of training referred to in point (a), air traffic controllers may undertake the following types: (1) practical instructors' training, leading to the issue, revalidation or renewal of an OJTI or STDI endorsement; (2) assessor training, leading to the issue, revalidation or renewal of an assessor endorsement. SECTION 2 Initial training requirements ATCO.D.010 Composition of initial training (a) Initial training, intended for an applicant for a student air traffic controller licence or for the issue of an additional rating and/or, if applicable, rating endorsement, shall consist of: (1) basic training, comprising all the subjects, topics and subtopics contained in Appendix 2 of Annex I; and (2) rating training, comprising the subjects, topics and subtopics of at least one of the following: (i) Aerodrome Control Visual Rating — ADV, defined in Appendix 3 of Annex I; (ii) Aerodrome Control Instrument Rating for Tower — ADI (TWR), defined in Appendix 4 of Annex I; (iii) Approach Control Procedural Rating — APP, defined in Appendix 5 of Annex I; (iv) Area Control Procedural Rating — ACP, defined in Appendix 6 of Annex I; (v) Approach Control Surveillance Rating — APS, defined in Appendix 7 of Annex I; (vi) Area Control Surveillance Rating — ACS, defined in Appendix 8 of Annex I. (b) Training intended for an additional rating shall consist of the subjects, topics and subtopics applicable to at least one of the ratings established in point (a)(2). (c) Training intended for the reactivation of a rating following a not successful assessment of previous competence according to ATCO.B.010(b) shall be tailored according to the result of that assessment. (d) Training intended for a rating endorsement other than ATCO.B.015(a)(3) shall consist of subjects, topics and subtopics developed by the training organisation and approved as part of the training course. (e) Basic and/or rating training may be complemented with subjects, topics and subtopics that are additional or specific to the Functional Airspace Block (FAB) or to the national environment. ATCO.D.015 Initial training plan An initial training plan shall be established by the training organisation and approved by the competent authority. It shall contain at least: (a) the composition of the initial training course provided according to ATCO.D.010; (b) the structure of the initial training provided according to ATCO.D.020(b); (c) the process for the conduct of the initial training course(s); (d) the training methods; (e) minimum and maximum duration of the initial training course(s); (f) with regard to ATCO.D.010(b), process for adapting the initial training course(s) to take due account of a successfully completed basic training course; (g) processes for examinations and assessments according to ATCO.D.025 and ATCO.D.035, as well as performance objectives according to ATCO.D.030 and ATCO.D.040; (h) training personnel qualifications, roles and responsibilities; (i) process for early termination of training; (j) the appeal process; (k) identification of records to be kept specific to initial training; (l) process and reasons for reviewing and amending the initial training plan and its submission to the competent authority. The review of the initial training plan shall take place at least once every three years. ATCO.D.020 Basic and rating training courses (a) Basic and rating training shall be provided as separate or integrated courses. (b) Basic and rating training courses or an integrated initial training course shall be developed and provided by training organisations and approved by the competent authority. (c) When initial training is provided as an integrated course, a clear distinction shall be made between the examinations and assessments for: (1) basic training; and (2) each rating training. (d) The successful completion of initial training, or of rating training for the issue of an additional rating, shall be demonstrated by a certificate issued by the training organisation. (e) The successful completion of basic training shall be demonstrated by a certificate issued by the training organisation upon request of the applicant. ATCO.D.025 Basic training examinations and assessment (a) Basic training courses shall include theoretical examination(s) and assessment(s). (b) A pass in theoretical examination(s) shall be awarded to an applicant achieving a minimum of 75 % of the marks allocated to that examination. (c) Assessment(s) of performance objectives as listed in ATCO.D.030 shall be conducted on a part-task trainer or a simulator. (d) A pass in assessment(s) shall be awarded to an applicant who consistently demonstrates the required performance as listed in ATCO.D.030 and shows the behaviour required for safe operations within the air traffic control service. ATCO.D.030 Basic training performance objectives Assessment(s) shall include evaluation of the following performance objectives: (a) checking and using the working position equipment; (b) developing and maintaining situational awareness by monitoring traffic and identifying aircraft when applicable; (c) monitoring and updating flight data display(s); (d) maintaining a continuous listening watch on the appropriate frequency; (e) issuing appropriate clearances, instructions and information to traffic; (f) using approved phraseology; (g) communicating effectively; (h) applying separation; (i) applying coordination as necessary; (j) applying the prescribed procedures for the simulated airspace; (k) detecting potential conflicts between aircraft; (l) appreciating priority of actions; (m) choosing appropriate separation methods. ATCO.D.035 Rating training examinations and assessment (a) Rating training courses shall include theoretical examination(s) and assessment(s). (b) A pass in theoretical examination(s) shall be awarded to an applicant achieving a minimum of 75 % of the marks allocated to that examination. (c) Assessment(s) shall be based on the rating training performance objectives described in ATCO.D.040. (d) Assessment(s) shall be conducted on a simulator. (e) A pass in assessment(s) shall be awarded to an applicant who consistently demonstrates the required performance described in ATCO.D.040 and shows the behaviour required for safe operations within the air traffic control service. ATCO.D.040 Rating training performance objectives (a) Rating training performance objectives and performance objective tasks shall be defined for each rating training course. (b) Rating training performance objectives shall require an applicant to: (1) demonstrate the ability to manage air traffic in a manner that ensures safe, orderly and expeditious services; and (2) handle complex and dense traffic situations. (c) In addition to point (b), rating training performance objectives for the Aerodrome Control Visual (ADV) and Aerodrome Control Instrument (ADI) rating shall ensure that applicants: (1) manage the workload and provide air traffic services within a defined aerodrome area of responsibility; and (2) apply aerodrome control techniques and operational procedures to aerodrome traffic. (d) In addition to point (b), rating training performance objectives for the Approach Control Procedural rating shall ensure that applicants: (1) manage the workload and provide air traffic services within a defined approach control area of responsibility; and (2) apply procedural approach control, planning techniques and operational procedures to arriving, holding, departing and transiting traffic. (e) In addition to point (b), rating training performance objectives for the Approach Control Surveillance rating shall ensure that applicants: (1) manage the workload and provide air traffic services within a defined approach control area of responsibility; and (2) apply approach surveillance control, planning techniques and operational procedures to arriving, holding, departing and transiting traffic. (f) In addition to point (b), rating training performance objectives for the Area Control Procedural rating shall ensure that applicants: (1) manage the workload and provide air traffic services within a defined area control area of responsibility; and (2) apply procedural area control, planning techniques and operational procedures to area traffic. (g) In addition to point (b), rating training performance objectives for the Area Control Surveillance rating shall ensure that applicants: (1) manage the workload and provide air traffic services within a defined area control area of responsibility; and (2) apply area surveillance control, planning techniques and operational procedures to area traffic. SECTION 3 Unit training requirements ATCO.D.045 Composition of unit training (a) Unit training shall consist of training course(s) for each unit endorsement established at the ATC unit as defined in the unit training plan. (b) The unit endorsement course(s) shall be developed and provided by training organisations according to ATCO.D.060 and approved by the competent authority. (c) Unit training shall include training in: (1) operational procedures; (2) task-specific aspects; (3) abnormal and emergency situations; and (4) human factors. ATCO.D.050 Prerequisites of unit training Unit training may only be started by persons who are holders of: (a) a student air traffic controller licence with the appropriate rating and, if applicable, rating endorsement; or (b) an air traffic controller licence with the appropriate rating and, if applicable, rating endorsement; provided that the requirements set out in ATCO.B.001(d) and ATCO.B.010(b) are met. ATCO.D.055 Unit training plan (a) A unit training plan shall be established by the training organisation for each ATC unit and shall be approved by the competent authority. (b) The unit training plan shall contain at least: (1) ratings and endorsements for which the training is conducted; (2) the structure of the unit training; (3) the list of unit endorsement course(s) according to ATCO.D.060; (4) the process for the conduct of a unit endorsement course; (5) the training methods; (6) the minimum duration of the unit endorsement course(s); (7) process for adapting the unit endorsement course(s) to take due account of the acquired ratings and/or rating endorsements and experience of applicants, when relevant; (8) processes for demonstrating theoretical knowledge and understanding according to ATCO.D.065, including the number, frequency and type of, as well as pass marks for examinations, which shall be a minimum of 75 % of the marks allocated to these examinations; (9) processes for the assessment according to ATCO.D.070, including the number and frequency of assessments; (10) training personnel qualifications, roles and responsibilities; (11) process for early termination of training; (12) the appeal process; (13) identification of records to be kept specific to the unit training; (14) a list of identified abnormal and emergency situations specific for each unit endorsement; (15) process and reasons for reviewing and amending the unit training plan and its submission to the competent authority. The review of the unit training plan shall take place at least once every three years. ATCO.D.060 Unit endorsement course (a) A unit endorsement course shall be the combination of the relevant unit training phases for the issue or renewal of a unit endorsement in the licence. Each course shall contain: (1) a transitional training phase; (2) an on-the-job training phase. A pre-on-the-job training phase shall be included, if required, according to ATCO.D.005(a)(2). (b) The unit training phases referred to in paragraph (a) shall be provided separately or in an integrated manner. (c) Unit endorsement courses shall define the syllabus and the performance objectives in accordance with ATCO.D.045(c) and shall be conducted in accordance with the unit training plan. (d) Unit endorsement courses that include training for rating endorsement(s) according to ATCO.B.015 shall be supplemented with additional training that allows for the acquisition of the concerned rating endorsement skills. (e) Training intended for a rating endorsement other than ATCO.B.015(a)(3) shall consist of subjects, subject objectives, topics and subtopics developed by the training organisation and approved as part of the training course. (f) Unit endorsement courses undertaken following an exchange of a licence shall be adapted to include elements of initial training that are specific to the Functional Airspace Block or to the national environment. ATCO.D.065 Demonstration of theoretical knowledge and understanding Theoretical knowledge and understanding shall be demonstrated by examinations. ATCO.D.070 Assessments during unit endorsement courses (a) The applicant's assessment shall be conducted in the operational environment under normal operational conditions at least once at the end of the on-the-job training. (b) When the unit endorsement course contains a pre-on-the-job training phase, the applicant's skills shall be assessed on a synthetic training device at least at the end of this phase. (c) Notwithstanding point (a), a synthetic training device may be used during a unit endorsement assessment to demonstrate the application of trained procedures not encountered in the operational environment during the assessment. SECTION 4 Continuation training requirements ATCO.D.075 Continuation training Continuation training shall consist of refresher and conversion training courses and shall be provided according to the requirements contained in the unit competence scheme according to ATCO.B.025. ATCO.D.080 Refresher training (a) Refresher training course(s) shall be developed and provided by training organisations and approved by the competent authority. (b) Refresher training shall be designed to review, reinforce or enhance the existing knowledge and skills of air traffic controllers to provide a safe, orderly and expeditious flow of air traffic and shall contain at least: (1) standard practices and procedures training, using approved phraseology and effective communication; (2) abnormal and emergency situations training, using approved phraseology and effective communication; and (3) human factors training. (c) A syllabus for the refresher training course shall be defined, and where a subject refreshes skills of air traffic controllers, performance objectives shall also be developed. ATCO.D.085 Conversion training (a) Conversion training course(s) shall be developed and provided by training organisations and approved by the competent authority. (b) Conversion training shall be designed to provide knowledge and skills appropriate to a change in the operational environment and shall be provided by training organisations when the safety assessment of the change concludes the need for such training. (c) Conversion training courses shall include the determination of: (1) the appropriate training method for and duration of the course, taking into account the nature and extent of the change; and (2) the examination and/or assessment methods for the conversion training. (d) Conversion training shall be provided before air traffic controllers exercise the privileges of their licence in the changed operational environment. SECTION 5 Training of instructors and assessors ATCO.D.090 Training of practical instructors (a) Training of practical instructors shall be developed and provided by training organisations and shall consist of: (1) a practical instructional techniques course for OJTI and/or STDI, including an assessment; (2) a refresher training course on practical instructional skills; (3) a method(s) for assessing the competence of practical instructors. (b) The training courses and assessment methods referred to in point (a) shall be approved by the competent authority. ATCO.D.095 Training of assessors (a) Training of assessors shall be developed and provided by training organisations and shall consist of: (1) an assessor training course, including an assessment; (2) a refresher training course on assessment skills; (3) a method(s) for assessing the competence of assessors. (b) The training courses and the assessment method referred to in point (a) shall be approved by the competent authority. Appendix 1 of Annex I LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY RATING SCALE — REQUIREMENTS FOR PROFICIENCY IN LANGUAGES Language proficiency rating scale: expert, extended and operational levels Level Pronunciation Uses a dialect and/or accent intelligible to the aeronautical community Structure Relevant grammatical structures and sentence patterns are determined by language functions appropriate to the task Vocabulary Fluency Comprehension Interactions Expert 6 Pronunciation, stress, rhythm and intonation, though possibly influenced by the first language or regional variation, almost never interfere with ease of understanding. Both basic and complex grammatical structures and sentence patterns are consistently well controlled. Vocabulary range and accuracy are sufficient to communicate effectively on a wide variety of familiar and unfamiliar topics. Vocabulary is idiomatic, nuanced, and sensitive to register. Able to speak at length with a natural, effortless flow. Varies speech flow for stylistic effect, e.g. to emphasise a point. Uses appropriate discourse markers and connectors spontaneously Comprehension is consistently accurate in nearly all contexts and includes comprehension of linguistic and cultural subtleties. Interacts with ease in nearly all situations. Is sensitive to verbal and non-verbal cues, and responds to them appropriately. Extended 5 Pronunciation, stress, rhythm and intonation, though influenced by the first language or regional variation, rarely interfere with ease of understanding. Basic grammatical structures and sentence patterns are consistently well controlled. Complex structures are attempted but with errors which sometimes interfere with meaning. Vocabulary range and accuracy are sufficient to communicate effectively on common, concrete, and work-related topics. Paraphrases consistently and successfully. Vocabulary is sometimes idiomatic. Able to speak at length with relative ease on familiar topics, but may not vary speech flow as a stylistic device. Can make use of appropriate discourse markers or connectors. Comprehension is accurate on common, concrete, and work-related topics and mostly accurate when the speaker is confronted with a linguistic or situational complication or an unexpected turn of events. Is able to comprehend a range of speech varieties (dialect and/or accent) or registers. Responses are immediate, appropriate, and informative. Manages the speaker/listener relationship effectively. Operational 4 Pronunciation, stress, rhythm and intonation are influenced by the first language or regional variation but only sometimes interfere with ease of understanding. Basic grammatical structures and sentence patterns are used creatively and are usually well controlled. Errors may occur, particularly in unusual or unexpected circumstances, but rarely interfere with meaning. Vocabulary range and accuracy are usually sufficient to communicate effectively on common, concrete, and work-related topics. Can often paraphrase successfully when lacking vocabulary in unusual or unexpected circumstances. Produces stretches of language at an appro