TRAINING PRINCIPLES
1.1 REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
1.1.1 A Contracting State, or the organization authorized by the State authority providing CNS/ATM services,
should establish methods for determining job competencies. All personnel directly engaged in operation, maintenance
and installation activities of CNS/ATM systems should be qualified for their job functions. Air Traffic Safety Electronics
Personnel (ATSEP) is the ICAO-recognized terminology for personnel involved in the operation, maintenance and
installation of a CNS/ATM system.
1.1.2 State regulatory norms should define the requirements with respect to age, knowledge, experience, skill
and attitude which determine ATSEP competency. Chapter 4 of ICAO Annex 1 — Personnel Licensing, however,
contains Standards for other personnel, and States should consult them when establishing their requirements.
1.1.3 The successful application of regulations concerning the safety and regularity of CNS/ATM systems
operation and the achievement of regulatory objectives depend on the appreciation by all individuals concerned of the
risks involved and on a detailed understanding of the regulations. This can be achieved only by properly planned and
maintained basic training, qualification training and recurrent training programmes for all persons involved. ATSEP play
a significant role in the safe operation of CNS/ATM systems, and international regulations require that they be
appropriately trained.
1.2 TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
1.2.1 Principal duties
1.2.1.1 The principal duties of the ATSEP are:
a) maintenance of CNS/ATM systems and equipment which includes:
1) calibration of flight and ground radio navigation aids;
2) certification of CNS/ATM systems and equipment;
3) modification of operational CNS/ATM equipment;
4) corrective maintenance; and
5) preventive maintenance;
b) installation of CNS/ATM systems and equipment;
c) management, monitoring and control of operational CNS/ATM systems and equipment; and
1-2 Training Manual
d) development, review and modification of CNS/ATM systems and equipment, and maintenance
procedures and standards.
1.2.1.2 ATSEP work on a variety of CNS/ATM systems and equipment, and this requires a wide range of expertise.
Training will be directed toward the specific work requirement assigned to a specific group or category of ATSEP.
1.2.2 Day-to-day activities
The following are some of the duties that normally govern the day-to-day practical work of the ATSEP. The degree of
responsibility given to them varies from State to State and from Air Navigation Services (ANS) provider to ANS provider.
It varies from the complex level, where the ATSEP could be considered the brain of the ANS, to a position of limited
importance. In the former case, the ATSEP is normally required to be licensed or proved to be trained and competent to
certify CNS/ATM systems and equipment, while in the latter case, the ATSEP’s duties may be limited to clerical
assistance only. With the widespread introduction of technologies, there is a marked tendency for States and ANS
providers to make increased use of ATSEP, giving them extensive duties and responsibilities. These include:
a) carrying out technical duties related to developmental work concerning the electromechanical,
electronic and computerized equipment of air navigation systems, and the testing of prototypes;
b) providing technical support in the design and layout of specific interface circuitry for air navigation and
aircraft detection tracking systems;
c) preparing or contributing to cost estimates and technical and training specifications for air traffic
control and safety equipment;
d) providing or assisting with the technical supervision of construction, installation and operation of
ground-based air navigation equipment;
e) ensuring that system and equipment standards and specifications are met;
f) applying the knowledge and skills of air traffic safety engineering principles and practices, in order to
identify and solve problems arising in the course of their work;
g) developing, modifying and debugging system software;
h) modifying CNS/ATM systems and equipment in order to improve capability, reliability and integrity, or
to facilitate air traffic control procedures and airspace designation;
i) controlling and monitoring CNS/ATM equipment;
j) calibrating ground-based air navigation systems or equipment to ensure maximum accuracy and
safety of flight, take-off and landing operations;
k) certifying CNS/ATM systems and equipment; and
l) providing technical training.
1.2.3 Minimum entry qualifications
It is generally accepted that the minimum entry qualifications for an ATSEP are the following:
Part E-2. Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel (ATSEP)
Chapter 1. Training principles 1-3
a) a minimum educational level of successful completion of secondary school;
b) a minimum of 1 600 hours of post-secondary, college or military education, specialized in electronic
technology; and
c) a m