IFATCA Policy is:

Telecommunication logs and surveillance data are confidential and shall not be released to the public.

Telecommunication logs and surveillance data shall be used only in the following cases:

a) when investigating ATC related accidents and incidents;

b) for search and rescue purposes;

c) for training and review purposes provided all ATCOs affected agree.

d) for the purposes of adjusting and repairing ATC equipment.

Telecommunication logs and surveillance data recordings not required for such purposes, should be retained, from the time of its capture, for a period no longer than that to which is agreed upon by the MA’s representative and the appropriate authorities using the ICAO minimum for telecommunication logs and surveillance data as a guide.

Access to telecommunication logs and surveillance data shall be limited to authorised personnel. Authorised personnel shall be mutually agreed by the MA’s representative and the appropriate authorities.

Telecommunication logs and surveillance data shall be identical to that presented at or originating from the relevant controller’s position.

The AWR system, including user management and access to the recordings, should be managed by an independent authority within the ANSP, chosen jointly by management and Member Association(s).

Before being published in an incident or accident report, non-relevant information shall be removed from AWR transcripts.

Telecommunication logs and surveillance data shall not be used to provide direct evidence, such as in disciplinary cases, or to determine controller competence.


See: WP 83 – Toronto 2017, WP 159 – Istanbul 2007, WPs Nairobi 1987, WP7 – Acapulco 1990, WP 100 – Bournemouth 1992, WP 151 – Ottawa 1994, WP 154 – Taipei 1997, Resolution C23 – WP 77 – Virtual 2022, Resolution C63 – WP 80 – Virtual 2022, Resolution C5 – WP 95 – Bucharest 2026

 

Last Update: 19th May 2026
3rd November 2019 992 Jean-Francois LepageLM

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Jean-Francois Lepage