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

Article 1

Subject matter and scope

• (a) the rules and procedures for issuing, maintaining, amending, limiting, suspending or revoking air traffic controller and student air traffic controller licences and associated ratings and endorsements, including the rules and procedures for the conversion of national air traffic controller licences obtained during military service into Union air traffic controller licences, and the privileges and responsibilities of the holders of those licences, ratings and endorsements;

• (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.

• (a) student air traffic controllers and air traffic controllers exercising their functions within the scope of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139;

• (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

• (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.

• (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

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 (EU) 2018/1139 and its delegated and implementing acts;

• (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 (EU) 2018/1139 and its delegated and implementing acts 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;

• (7a) ‘credit’ means the recognition of the training undertaken by an air traffic controller during their military service for the purpose of applying for a student air traffic controller licence to be issued in accordance with this Regulation;

• (7b) ‘national conversion report’ means a report on the basis of which prior military air traffic controller training may be given credit by the competent authority to which the application for the issue of a student air traffic controller licence is submitted;

• (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 a non-binding material issued by the Agency, which helps to illustrate the meaning of delegated or implementing acts and which is used to support the application of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and its delegated and implementing acts;

• (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;

• (14a) ‘licence endorsement’ means the authorisation entered on and forming part of the licence, indicating a specific qualification of the licence holder. It is a generic term used to describe the inclusion of on-the-job training instructor, synthetic training device instructor, assessor and language proficiency endorsements;

• (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 or 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;

• (20a) ‘rating’ means the authorisation entered on or associated with a licence and forming part thereof, stating special conditions, privileges or limitations pertaining to such licence;

• (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;

• (21a) ‘remote learning’ means training situations in which instructors and students are physically separated and interact synchronously or asynchronously and in which information is typically transmitted via technological means;

• (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 with a rating or a rating endorsement, the holder may start exercising the privileges of that rating or rating endorsement;

• (32) ‘virtual classroom’ means a virtual environment adapted for the remote learning process and not requiring a physical location, where synchronous learning takes place.

Article 5

Competent authority

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).

Article 6

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

• (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.

• (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

Article 8

Changes to rating and rating endorsements

Article 8a

Conversion of national military air traffic controller licences into student air traffic controller licences

• (a) describe the national requirements on the basis of which the military air traffic controller licences are issued in that Member State;

• (b) describe the scope of the privileges of the military air traffic controller licences referred to in point (a);

• (c) indicate for which requirements of Annex I (Part ATCO) credit is to be given;

• (d) indicate the additional training, including the required examinations and assessments, to be undertaken by the applicants; the required examinations and assessments shall be conducted by a training organisation that meets the requirements laid down in Annex III (Part ATCO.OR) and that is certified to provide initial training for the purpose of issuing student air traffic controller licences in accordance with this Regulation;

• (e) include a statement confirming that the compliance of the applicant with the training, examination and assessment requirements described in the national conversion report can be considered as being equivalent to the successful completion of the initial training required under this Regulation for the purpose of issuing a student air traffic controller licence;

• (f) include copies of all relevant supporting documentation, including copies of the relevant national requirements and procedures, demonstrating how the competent authority of the Member State has established the elements listed in points (a) to (e) above.

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

It shall apply from 30 June 2015.

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.

TABLE OF CONTENTS	TABLE OF CONTENTS
ANNEX I —	PART ATCO — REQUIREMENTS FOR THE LICENSING OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS
SUBPART A —	GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
ATCO.A.001	Scope
ATCO.A.005	Application for the issue of licences, ratings and endorsements
ATCO.A.010	Application for change of competent authority
ATCO.A.015	Exercise of the privileges of licences and provisional inability
ATCO.A.020	Revocation and suspension of licences, ratings and endorsements
SUBPART B —	LICENCES, RATINGS AND ENDORSEMENTS
ATCO.B.001	Student air traffic controller licence
ATCO.B.005	Air traffic controller licence
ATCO.B.010	Air traffic controller ratings
ATCO.B.015	Rating endorsements
ATCO.B.020	Unit endorsements
ATCO.B.025	Unit competence scheme
ATCO.B.030	Language proficiency endorsement
ATCO.B.035	Validity of language proficiency endorsement
ATCO.B.040	Assessment of language proficiency
ATCO.B.045	Language training
SUBPART C —	REQUIREMENTS FOR INSTRUCTORS AND ASSESSORS
SECTION 1 —	INSTRUCTORS
ATCO.C.001	Theoretical instructors
ATCO.C.005	Practical instructors
ATCO.C.010	On-the-job training instructor (OJTI) privileges
ATCO.C.015	Application for on-the-job training instructor endorsement
ATCO.C.020	Validity of on-the-job training instructor endorsement
ATCO.C.025	Temporary OJTI authorisation
ATCO.C.030	Synthetic training device instructor (STDI) privileges
ATCO.C.035	Application for synthetic training device instructor endorsement
ATCO.C.040	Validity of synthetic training device instructor endorsement
SECTION 2 —	ASSESSORS
ATCO.C.045	Assessor privileges
ATCO.C.050	Vested interests
ATCO.C.055	Application for assessor endorsement
ATCO.C.060	Validity of assessor endorsement
ATCO.C.065	Temporary assessor authorisation
SUBPART D —	AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER TRAINING
SECTION 1 —	GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
ATCO.D.001	Objectives of air traffic controller training
ATCO.D.005	Types of air traffic controller training
SECTION 2 —	INITIAL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
ATCO.D.010	Composition of initial training
ATCO.D.015	Initial training plan
ATCO.D.020	Basic and rating training courses
ATCO.D.025	Basic training examinations and assessment
ATCO.D.030	Basic training performance objectives
ATCO.D.035	Rating training examinations and assessment
ATCO.D.040	Rating training performance objectives
SECTION 3 —	UNIT TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
ATCO.D.045	Composition of unit training
ATCO.D.050	Prerequisites of unit training
ATCO.D.055	Unit training plan
ATCO.D.060	Unit endorsement course
ATCO.D.065	Demonstration of theoretical knowledge and understanding
ATCO.D.070	Assessments during unit endorsement courses
SECTION 4 —	CONTINUATION TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
ATCO.D.075	Continuation training
ATCO.D.080	Refresher training
ATCO.D.085	Conversion training
SECTION 5 —	TRAINING OF INSTRUCTORS AND ASSESSORS
ATCO.D.090	Training of practical instructors
ATCO.D.095	Training of assessors
APPENDIX 1 of Annex I —	LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY RATING SCALE — REQUIREMENTS FOR PROFICIENCY IN LANGUAGES
APPENDIX 2 of Annex I —	BASIC TRAINING
Subject 1:	INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
Subject 2:	AVIATION LAW
Subject 3:	AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
Subject 4:	METEOROLOGY
Subject 5:	NAVIGATION
Subject 6:	AIRCRAFT
Subject 7:	HUMAN FACTORS
Subject 8:	EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS
Subject 9:	PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT
APPENDIX 3 of Annex I —	AERODROME CONTROL RATING (ADC)
Subject 1:	INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
Subject 2:	AVIATION LAW
Subject 3:	AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
Subject 4:	METEOROLOGY
Subject 5:	NAVIGATION
Subject 6:	AIRCRAFT
Subject 7:	HUMAN FACTORS
Subject 8:	EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS
Subject 9:	PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT
Subject 10:	ABNORMAL AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
Subject 11:	AERODROMES
APPENDIX 4 of Annex I —	APPROACH CONTROL PROCEDURAL RATING (APP)
Subject 1:	INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
Subject 2:	AVIATION LAW
Subject 3:	AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
Subject 4:	METEOROLOGY
Subject 5:	NAVIGATION
Subject 6:	AIRCRAFT
Subject 7:	HUMAN FACTORS
Subject 8:	EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS
Subject 9:	PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT
Subject 10:	ABNORMAL AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
Subject 11:	AERODROMES
APPENDIX 5 of Annex I —	AREA CONTROL PROCEDURAL RATING (ACP)
Subject 1:	INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
Subject 2:	AVIATION LAW
Subject 3:	AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
Subject 4:	METEOROLOGY
Subject 5:	NAVIGATION
Subject 6:	AIRCRAFT
Subject 7:	HUMAN FACTORS
Subject 8:	EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS
Subject 9:	PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT
Subject 10:	ABNORMAL AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
APPENDIX 6 of Annex I —	APPROACH CONTROL SURVEILLANCE RATING (APS)
Subject 1:	INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
Subject 2:	AVIATION LAW
Subject 3:	AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
Subject 4:	METEOROLOGY
Subject 5:	NAVIGATION
Subject 6:	AIRCRAFT
Subject 7:	HUMAN FACTORS
Subject 8:	EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS
Subject 9:	PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT
Subject 10:	ABNORMAL AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
Subject 11:	AERODROMES
APPENDIX 7 of Annex I —	AREA CONTROL SURVEILLANCE RATING (ACS)
Subject 1:	INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
Subject 2:	AVIATION LAW
Subject 3:	AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
Subject 4:	METEOROLOGY
Subject 5:	NAVIGATION
Subject 6:	AIRCRAFT
Subject 7:	HUMAN FACTORS
Subject 8:	EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS
Subject 9:	PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT
Subject 10:	ABNORMAL AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
ANNEX II —	PART ATCO.AR — REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPETENT AUTHORITIES
SUBPART A —	GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
ATCO.AR.A.001	Scope
ATCO.AR.A.005	Personnel
ATCO.AR.A.010	Tasks of the competent authorities
ATCO.AR.A.015	Means of compliance
ATCO.AR.A.020	Information to the Agency
ATCO.AR.A.025	Immediate reaction to a safety problem
ATCO.AR.A.025A	Immediate reaction to an information security incident or vulnerability with an impact on aviation safety
SUBPART B —	MANAGEMENT
ATCO.AR.B.001	Management system
ATCO.AR.B.005	Allocation of tasks to qualified entities
ATCO.AR.B.010	Changes to the management system
ATCO.AR.B.015	Record keeping
SUBPART C —	OVERSIGHT AND ENFORCEMENT
ATCO.AR.C.001	Oversight
ATCO.AR.C.005	Oversight programme
ATCO.AR.C.010	Findings and enforcement measures for personnel
SUBPART D —	ISSUE, REVALIDATION, RENEWAL, SUSPENSIONAND REVOCATION OF LICENCES, RATINGS AND ENDORSEMENTS
ATCO.AR.D.001	Procedure for the issue, revalidation and renewal of licences, ratings, endorsements and authorisations
ATCO.AR.D.003	Change of competent authority
ATCO.AR.D.005	Revocation and suspension of licences, ratings and endorsements
SUBPART E —	CERTIFICATION PROCEDURE FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER TRAINING ORGANISATIONS AND APPROVAL OF TRAINING COURSES
ATCO.AR.E.001	Certification procedure for training organisations and issue of certificate
ATCO.AR.E.005	Approval of training courses and training plans
ATCO.AR.E.010	Changes to the training organisations
ATCO.AR.E.010A	Changes to the information security management system
ATCO.AR.E.015	Findings, corrective actions and enforcement measures
SUBPART F —	SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO AERO-MEDICAL CERTIFICATION
SECTION 1 —	GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
ATCO.AR.F.001	Aero-medical centres and aero-medical certification
SECTION 2 —	DOCUMENTATION
ATCO.AR.F.005	Medical certificate
ATCO.AR.F.010	AME certificate
ATCO.AR.F.015	AeMC certificate
ATCO.AR.F.020	Aero-medical forms
APPENDIX 1 of Annex II —	Format for licence — (STUDENT) AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER LICENCE
APPENDIX 2 of Annex II —	CERTIFICATE FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER TRAINING ORGANISATIONS (ATCO TOs)
APPENDIX 3 of Annex II —	CERTIFICATE FOR AERO-MEDICAL EXAMINERS (AMEs)
APPENDIX 4 of Annex II —	CERTIFICATE FOR AERO-MEDICAL CENTRES (AeMCs)
ANNEX III —	PART ATCO.OR — REQUIREMENTS FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER TRAINING ORGANISATIONS AND AERO-MEDICAL CENTRES
SUBPART A —	GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
ATCO.OR.A.001	Scope
SUBPART B —	REQUIREMENTS FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER TRAINING ORGANISATIONS
ATCO.OR.B.001	Application for a training organisation certificate
ATCO.OR.B.005	Means of compliance
ATCO.OR.B.010	Terms of approval and privileges of a training organisation certificate
ATCO.OR.B.015	Changes to the training organisation
ATCO.OR.B.020	Continued validity
ATCO.OR.B.025	Access to training organisations' facilities and data
ATCO.OR.B.030	Findings
ATCO.OR.B.035	Immediate reaction to a safety problem
ATCO.OR.B.040	Occurrence reporting
SUBPART C —	MANAGEMENT OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER TRAINING ORGANISATIONS
ATCO.OR.C.001	Management system of training organisations
ATCO.OR.C.001A	Information security management system
ATCO.OR.C.005	Contracted activities
ATCO.OR.C.010	Personnel requirements
ATCO.OR.C.015	Facilities and equipment
ATCO.OR.C.020	Record keeping
ATCO.OR.C.025	Funding and insurances
SUBPART D —	REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAINING COURSES AND TRAINING PLANS
ATCO.OR.D.001	Requirements for training courses and training plans
ATCO.OR.D.005	Examination and assessment results and certificates
SUBPART E —	REQUIREMENTS FOR AERO-MEDICAL CENTRES
ATCO.OR.E.001	Aero-medical centres
ANNEX IV —	PART ATCO.MED -MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS
SUBPART A —	GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
SECTION 1 —	GENERAL
ATCO.MED.A.001	Competent authority
ATCO.MED.A.005	Scope
ATCO.MED.A.010	Definitions
ATCO.MED.A.015	Medical confidentiality
ATCO.MED.A.020	Decrease in medical fitness
ATCO.MED.A.025	Obligations of AeMC and AME
SECTION 2 —	REQUIREMENTS FOR MEDICAL CERTIFICATES
ATCO.MED.A.030	Medical certificates
ATCO.MED.A.035	Application for a medical certificate
ATCO.MED.A.040	Issue, revalidation and renewal of medical certificates
ATCO.MED.A.045	Validity, revalidation and renewal of medical certificates
ATCO.MED.A.046	Suspension or revocation of a medical certificate
ATCO.MED.A.050	Referral
SUBPART B —	REQUIREMENTS FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER MEDICAL CERTIFICATES
SECTION 1 —	GENERAL
ATCO.MED.B.001	Limitations to medical certificates
SECTION 2 —	MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CLASS 3 MEDICAL CERTIFICATES
ATCO.MED.B.005	General
ATCO.MED.B.010	Cardiovascular system
ATCO.MED.B.015	Respiratory system
ATCO.MED.B.020	Digestive system
ATCO.MED.B.025	Metabolic and endocrine systems
ATCO.MED.B.030	Haematology
ATCO.MED.B.035	Genitourinary system
ATCO.MED.B.040	Infectious disease
ATCO.MED.B.045	Obstetrics and gynaecology
ATCO.MED.B.050	Musculoskeletal system
ATCO.MED.B.055	Psychiatry
ATCO.MED.B.060	Psychology
ATCO.MED.B.065	Neurology
ATCO.MED.B.070	Visual system
ATCO.MED.B.075	Colour vision
ATCO.MED.B.080	Otorhinolaryngology
ATCO.MED.B.085	Dermatology
ATCO.MED.B.090	Oncology
SUBPART C —	AERO-MEDICAL EXAMINERS (AMEs)
ATCO.MED.C.001	Privileges
ATCO.MED.C.005	Application
ATCO.MED.C.010	Requirements for the issue of an AME certificate
ATCO.MED.C.015	Training courses in aviation medicine
ATCO.MED.C.020	Changes to the AME certificate
ATCO.MED.C.025	Validity of AME certificates

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   Application for change of competent authority

• (a) If the licence holder is to exercise the privileges of a unit endorsement in a Member State of which the competent authority is not the one that issued the licence, the licence holder shall request a change of the competent authority to the competent authority of the Member State where those privileges are to be exercised in accordance with the procedure established by that authority. For this purpose, the competent authorities involved shall share all the relevant information needed to carry out the change of competent authority and licence exchange according to the procedures referred to in point ATCO.AR.B.001(c) and point ATCO.AR.D.003.

• (b) In derogation to point (a) above, a change of the competent authority is not required when only synthetic training device instructor or assessor privileges are exercised in a synthetic training device environment or when privileges of a student air traffic controller licence are exercised.

• (c) For the purposes of 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 point ATCO.B.030 established by the Member State where the privileges are to be exercised.

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 ratings and rating endorsements, validity of the unit and licence endorsements, and of the medical certificate, unless the medical certificate is not required in accordance with point (b).

• (b) The medical certificate is not required when exercising instructor or assessor privileges in a synthetic training device environment.

• (c) Licence holders shall not exercise the privileges of their licence when having doubts about 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.

• (d) 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.

• (e) 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 (c), to declare the provisional inability of the licence holder in accordance with point (d), and to inform the competent authority as defined in that procedure.

• (f) The procedures referred to in point (e) shall be included in the unit competence scheme according to point 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 additional rating endorsement(s) and unit endorsement(s).

• (b) Applicants for a student air traffic controller licence shall:
• (1) be at least 18 years old;
• (2) within the 12 months preceding the application, 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 point ATCO.B.030.

• (c) The student air traffic controller licence shall contain the language proficiency 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 1 year from the date of its issuance or has interrupted exercising those privileges for a period of more than 1 year may only start or continue on-the-job training in that rating:
• (1) if a training organisation satisfying the requirements laid down in Annex III (Part ATCO.OR) and certified to provide initial training relevant to the rating has conducted an assessment of previous competence as to whether the holder of a student air traffic controller licence continues to satisfy the requirements relevant to that rating, and
• (2) after satisfying any training requirements resulting from the assessment referred to point (d)(1) above.

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 a rating within 1 year from the date of its issuance may only start on-the-job training in that rating:
• (1) if a training organisation satisfying the requirements laid down in Annex III (Part ATCO.OR) and certified to provide initial training relevant to the rating has conducted an assessment of previous competence as to whether the previous competence of the holder of an air traffic controller licence continues to satisfy the requirements relevant to that rating, and
• (2) after satisfying any training requirements resulting from the assessment referred to in point (e)(1) above.

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 (ADC) rating, indicating that the licence holder is competent to provide an air traffic control service to aerodrome traffic;
• (2) 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;
• (3) 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;
• (4) 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;
• (5) 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 4 or more immediately preceding consecutive years may only start on-the-job training in that rating:
• (1) if a training organisation satisfying the requirements laid down in Annex III (Part ATCO.OR) and certified to provide training relevant to the rating, has conducted an assessment of previous competence as to whether that the holder of a rating continues to satisfy the conditions of that rating, and;
• (2) after satisfying any training requirements resulting from the assessment referred to in point (b)(1) above.

ATCO.B.015   Rating endorsements

• (a) The Aerodrome Control (ADC) rating may bear the Aerodrome Control Surveillance (SUR) endorsement, indicating that the licence holder is competent to provide aerodrome control with the help of surveillance systems.

• (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.

• (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 the 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) As an exception to point (b), the on-the-job training phase in Part ATCO, Subpart D, Section 3 may not be required when the unit endorsement is issued in connection with the issue of a temporary OJTI authorisation for the same unit.

• (d) Limitations on the exercise of the privileges of the Aerodrome Control (ADC) rating shall be indicated in the unit endorsement.

• (e) Applicants for a unit endorsement changing their competent authority as referred to in point ATCO.A.010 shall, in addition to the requirements set out in point ATCO.B.020(b), meet the requirements of point ATCO.D.060(f).

• (f) 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.

• (g) Unit endorsements shall be valid for a period defined in the unit competence scheme. This period shall not exceed 3 years.

• (h) 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.

• (i) 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 3 months prior to the expiry date of the unit endorsement.

• (j) Unit endorsements shall be revalidated provided that the requirements set out in point (i) 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.

• (k) If the unit endorsement is revalidated before the period provided for in point (j), 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 (i)(1) and (2) are also met.

• (l) 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 scheme(s) shall be established by the air navigation service provider and approved by the competent authority. A unit competence scheme shall include at least the following elements:
• (1) a list of unit endorsement(s) and their validity in accordance with point ATCO.B.020(g);
• (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) for the purpose of maintaining competence, the minimum number of hours exercising the privileges of the unit endorsement, or, in the case of SRA and PAR, the minimum number of approaches, for a preceding period of time, which shall not exceed 12 months; 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 points (a)(2) and (3);
• (5) processes for assessing competence, including assessment of the refresher training subjects according to point ATCO.D.080(b);
• (6) processes for the examination of theoretical knowledge and understanding necessary to exercise the 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) a procedure to ensure that practical instructors have practised instructional techniques in the procedures in which instruction is provided in accordance with point ATCO.C.010(b)(3) and point 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 point ATCO.A.015(e);
• (14) identification of records to be kept specific to continuation training and assessments, in accordance with point ATCO.OR.C.020;
• (15) a 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 3 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 or her unit endorsement(s) 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 points (a)(4) and (a)(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 any competent authority, which shall contain:
• (1) the process by which an assessment is done;
• (2) the qualification of the assessors;
• (3) the appeal 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) A person shall only carry out practical training when that person holds an air traffic controller licence with an on-the-job training instructor (OJTI) endorsement or a synthetic training device instructor (STDI) endorsement.

• (b) Notwithstanding point (a), a person may be authorised to give instruction on synthetic training devices if all the following requirements are fulfilled:
• (1) that person holds or has held a national military air traffic controller licence issued by a Member State, with a rating and, if applicable, rating endorsement corresponding to the one for which that person is authorised to instruct or assess;
• (2) that person has demonstrated to the competent authority referred to in Article 6 that he or she has exercised the privileges of the national military licence referred to in point (b)(1) and received training and successfully passed assessments, as required by point ATCO.C.035;
• (3) that person has demonstrated compliance with the relevant requirements of Annex I (Part ATCO) in accordance with the national conversion report established by the competent authority referred to in Article 8a.

• (c) The privileges referred to in point (b) shall be limited to the provision of instruction and assessment on the matters referred to in point ATCO.C.030 (a)(1) and exercised in accordance with point ATCO.C.040 for air traffic controller training organisations certified to provide initial training in accordance with this Regulation.

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 2 years immediately preceding the application. This period may be shortened to not less than 1 year by the competent authority when requested by the training organisation; and

• (c) within the 12 months 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 3 years.

• (b) The OJTI endorsement may be revalidated by successfully completing refresher training on practical instructional skills during its validity, provided that the requirement of point ATCO.C.015(a) is met.

• (c) If the OJTI endorsement has expired, provided that the requirement of point ATCO.C.015(a) is met, it may be renewed if, within the 12 months preceding the application for renewal, the OJTI endorsement holder has:
• (1) received refresher training on practical instructional skills; and
• (2) successfully passed a practical instructor competence assessment.

• (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 requirement of point ATCO.C.015(a) is not met, the OJTI endorsement may be exchanged for an STDI endorsement, provided that compliance with the requirements of point 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 or 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 2 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 instruction is provided.

• (c) As an exception to point (b)(1),
• (1) the period of 2 years may be shortened to not less than 1 year by the competent authority when requested by the training organisation;
• (2) for the purpose of basic training, any rating held is appropriate;
• (3) 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 2 years. This period may be shortened to not less than 1 year by the competent authority when requested by the training organisation; and

• (b) within the 12 months 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 3 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 if, within the 12 months preceding the application for renewal, the STDI endorsement holder has:
• (1) received refresher training on practical instructional skills and on current operational practices; and
• (2) successfully passed a practical instructor competence assessment.

• (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 or 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 points ATCO.B.001(d), ATCO.B.005(e) and ATCO.B.010(b);
• (3) of student air traffic controllers for the issue of a unit endorsement and rating endorsement(s), if applicable;
• (4) of air traffic controllers for the issue of a unit endorsement and rating endorsement(s), 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 applicable requirements of points (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 2 years’ experience in the rating and rating endorsement(s) they will assess; 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 1 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 2 years; and