Air traffic controllers’ licences and certificates – technical requirements and administrative procedures

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) 2015/340 laying down technical requirements and administrative procedures relating to air traffic controllers’ licences and certificates

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

This regulation addresses the licensing and medical certification of air traffic controllers (ATCOs).

It aims to ensure and maintain a high and uniform level of safety while facilitating the mobility of air traffic controllers via the establishment of common training standards, including supporting acceptable means of compliance and guidance material, and the recognition of licences at the EU level. It also establishes a clear framework for air traffic controller (ATCO) training organisations and the recognition of their certificates, along with the necessary synergies for aeromedical examiners and centres involved in the medical certification of pilots and air traffic controllers.

Its regular updates ensure continued alignment of the qualification scheme of air traffic controllers with the recognised best practices in aviation and take into account new technological developments and operational changes.

The regulation sets out in a series of annexes detailed rules and procedures for:

licences and medical certificates for air traffic controllers and student air traffic controllers;
certification of aeromedical examiners and aeromedical centres;
certification of air traffic controller training organisations;
conditions for issuing, suspending, revoking, validating, revalidating, renewing and using licences, ratings, endorsements and certificates;
the privileges and responsibilities of those holding licences and certificates.

KEY POINTS

Application

Only air traffic controllers qualified and licensed under this regulation are allowed to provide services;
European Union (EU) Member States may apply the regulation to their military personnel providing services to the public.

Compliance

Air traffic controllers, individuals and organisations involved in the licencing, training, testing, checking, and medical examination and assessment of applicants must be qualified and licensed in accordance with Annexes I, III and IV to the regulation by a competent authority;
Medical certification must comply with the technical requirements and procedures in Annexes III and IV.

Air traffic controllers, instructors and assessors providing services in the EU but employed by service providers outside the EU are considered to be licensed if they:

hold a licence issued in accordance with Annex 1 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation;
have demonstrated that they have undergone training and passed equivalent examinations and assessments to those set out in Annex I (with the addition of an appropriate rating and rating endorsement for instructors and assessors).

Non-EU air traffic controllers’ tasks and functions must not exceed the privileges of the licence issued by the non-EU country.

Non-EU instructor and assessor privileges must be specified in a certificate issued by a non-EU country and be limited to providing instruction and assessment for training organisations located outside the EU.

Competent authorities

Each Member State nominates or sets up at least one competent authority with responsibility for certification and oversight. These authorities must be:

independent from air navigation service providers and training organisations;
without direct or indirect conflict of interest, in particular relating to family or financial interests of the personnel concerned.

Repeal

The regulation repeals Commission Regulation (EU) No 805/2011.

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

It has applied since 30 June 2015.

BACKGROUND

Aviation safety rules (European Commission)
Relevant legislation for ATM/ANS (European Union Aviation Safety Agency).

MAIN DOCUMENT

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 (OJ L 63, 6.3.2015, pp. 1–122).

Successive amendments to Regulation (EU) 2015/340 have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

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