Course aim

The Basic ATC course gives students a foundation-level of knowledge of the Air Traffic Controller job and the complete Air Traffic Management (ATM) system. It is the first course in Air Traffic Control students’ Initial Training: passing this course enables them to progress further onto Rating Training courses.

After completing this course, the students:

• Have knowledge, skills, and understanding in accordance with the Eurocontrol training objectives.
• Have practiced skills within the tower and approach air traffic control (ATC) environments.
• Have knowledge of the importance of teamwork and of human factors related issues that can affect personal and team performance.

Course structure

The standard course takes 65 days (13 weeks). The first 6 weeks of the course focus on theoretical knowledge and team-building activities. After the theoretical part, the students apply their knowledge in the practical simulator training which is divided into phases. Each phase has a different focus, including Skills, Basic APS and Basic ADI.

We can offer an add-on of 35 days (7 weeks) to the standard course. This add-on allows the students more time to focus on strengthening their skills and adds simulator training in an ACS environment.

Theoretical training
We deliver the theoretical part of the course through a blend of classroom training, group work, and discussions. Throughout the course, eLearning elements allow a flexible learning environment as students can participate in these lessons online. During the theoretical training, the students develop teamwork skills that help them perform during the practical training in the simulator.

Simulator training
The Skills training is considered theoretical training with the aim to reinforce theory and to put theoretical knowledge into a more practical context. The Skills training provides greater awareness of why definitions, separation methods, rules, and regulations are designed as they are. It allows a smooth transition from theoretical training into practical training.

Following the Skills training, the students move on to practical simulator training in a generic airspace. In the first phase, students manage basic APS procedures. In the second phase, they manage basic ADI procedures at the airspace and control zone, in cooperation with Approach.

Content in brief

The course covers topics such as, but not limited to:

• Meteorology (pertinent to aviation).
• Rules of the air.
• Human factors.
• Military aviation.
• Equipment and systems.
• Airspace managements.
• Environmental protection.
• Regulatory role.
• Safety management systems.
• Familiarisation to Tower, Approach, co-operation between TWR and APP units, and co-operation between ACC and APP.
• Study visit to a control tower and area control centre.
• Handling of departing and arriving IFR and VFR traffic to and from the aerodrome.
• IFR and VFR traffic crossing the TMA.
• Managing coordination with adjacent sectors.

Prerequisites

• English language skills of ICAO level 4 or higher.

Compliance with regulations

• The course is compliant with Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/340.
• The course is approved by the Swedish National Supervisory Authority.
• Entry Point North is certified as a training organization by the Swedish National Supervisory Authority.