1.1.  Although IFATCA has comprehensive policy in the Technical and Professional Manual on many facets of training, we did not have a consolidated “Initial Training Manual” for Air Traffic Controllers.

1.2.  Similarly, neither did ICAO have such a manual for Air Traffic Controllers, although it does have such a document for other aviation professionals, such as engineers.

1.3.  PLC undertook the task of creating an IFATCA Initial Training Manual. As will be discussed below, the intention is to offer this Manual to ICAO for adoption as the ICAO Training Manual for Air Traffic Controllers.

2.1.  The IFATCA Technical and Professional Manual has many policy statements on many facets of Air Traffic Controller Training. Through discussions between IFATCA and ICAO following on from the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals work, it was identified that what both organisations lacked was a consolidated document that defined a framework for initial Air Traffic Controller Training. IFATCA offered to produce such a consolidated Training Manual. This document would serve two purposes. Firstly, to be accepted as the IFATCA Training Manual; and secondly to be offered to ICAO, for their consideration to adopt it, in due course, as the formal ICAO ATCO Training Manual.

2.2.  ICAO Manuals are guidance material, and are not required to be adopted by States. Whilst many States will already have an advanced training program, manuals such as this are intended to provide guidance to support global harmonisation and to be used by States as needed.

2.3.  Similarly, the acceptance of the IFATCA Training Manual as a framework for initial ATC training does not replace existing IFATCA policy.

2.4.  The IFATCA Training Manual being introduced by this paper was produced after a considerable amount of work by PLC, in particular the Dutch and Hong Kong members. It draws upon existing IFATCA policy and also draws heavily upon material produced by Eurocontrol, who have granted their approval for its use in this Manual. The Manual defines a comprehensive framework for initial ATCO training that should serve all Member Associations well. Thus it is presented to conference for adoption as the official IFATCA Training Manual.

3.1 The IFATCA Training Manual has been produced to provide a consolidated framework for the initial training of Air Traffic Controllers. It has been produced with the dual intent of accepting it as an IFATCA Manual at this conference, then offering it to ICAO for adoption and adaption as the ICAO Training Manual for ATCOs.

4.1 The IFATCA Training Manual be accepted as the IFATCA framework for initial training of Air Traffic Controllers.

4.2 The IFATCA Training Manual be offered to ICAO for their consideration for adoption and adaption as an ICAO Training Manual for Air Traffic Controllers.