Introduction

The subject “Air Traffic Control Instructor Rating” was put on the SC4 work Programme at the Port of Spain Annual Conference. SC4 understood that the suggested rating was aimed at “On the Job Instruction” rather than colleges of ATC.

Discussion

Compared to pilot training, in ATC training is organised in a different way. In ATC sometimes classroom training is done by persons, who have never been a controller, sometimes by instructors who finished their job as an active controller, sometimes this training is executed by instructors who are doing classroom training as well as on the job training. These variations could cease by introducing an instructor rating. From country to country the status of the instructor varies. There are ATC units where on the job training is considered as just an additional task for an ATCO, without selection, without training and without extra payment. In other centres there are special ‘on the job’ instructors and full time instructors with special allowances. However, an instructor status is not based on ICAO regulations as it should be.

Besides the arguments mentioned above, in relation to the organisation of ATC training and the status of an instructor, there are other arguments like selection, training, remuneration and job comparison (with pilots).

Selection/training (based on IFATCA Policy)

The task of the OJT coach is a demanding one. Not all controllers make good coaches nor do all controllers want to become coaches. The controller who coaches must want to teach. He must be proficient and confident in his own skills. He must be able to handle a traffic situation through another person, at the same time teaching skills to that person and still have overall command of the situation. There are principles and techniques in coaching which all who coach should be aware of so that the coaching is efficient and the standard of Air Traffic Services is maintained.

The following is IFATCA Policy:

Remuneration

There should be a direct link between the status of an instructor and remuneration. Due to the fact that the OJT coach is (or should be) selected, trained and is having a special responsibility, this should be reflected in the remuneration of the OJT coach. By introducing an instructor rating the items mentioned earlier become officially recognised and could be the basis to be used in negotiations in respect of salaries of OJT coaches.

Job Comparison

In relation to licences, rating and validations, the only job one should compare an air traffic controller with, is a pilot. The only difference in respect of licensing according Annex 1 is, that pilots are able to get a Flight Instructor Rating registered on their licence, for an air traffic controller this is not the case. It’s the opinion of SC4 that there should be in principle no difference between the licensing of pilots and air traffic controllers and therefore there should be a possibility for air traffic controllers to get an instructor rating. In Annex 1 the “Flight Instructor Rating” appropriate to aeroplanes and helicopters is very well described. Detailed information about selection/training of instructors (and students) is described in IFATCA’s POLICY ON TRAINING. This policy in relation to instructors, could be reflected in ANNEX 1 to come to an “Air Traffic Control Instructor rating”, according the example (based on the Flight Instructor Rating) described in the attachment to this working paper.

Conclusions

In many countries there is no standard for the selection and training of air traffic control instructors and therefore instruction is organised in a different way, not based on ICAO regulations. The special responsibility of the OJT coach should be reflected in remuneration but should also be officially recognised by an ICAO rating. The rating requirements of an air traffic control instructor could be in accordance with the rating requirements of a Flight Instructor.

Recommendations

The Executive Board of IFATCA is requested to liaise with ICAO to introduce an air traffic control “On the Job” Instructor rating as soon as possible.

Editor’s Note: The Attachment is not retyped. It was a copy of Annex 1 “Flight Instructor Rating” in which the function Pilot was replaced by air traffic controller .