1. CAR/SAM Regional Guidance Material on Air Traffic Services Quality Assurance Programmes
NAM/CAR/SAM Quality Assurance Workshop
Gustavo De León
Regional Officer, Air Traffic Management and Search and Rescue
ICAO NACC Regional Office
NAM/CAR/SAM Air Traffic Services Quality Assurance Workshop
(Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 26 to 30 November 2001)

2. INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION   NORTH AMERICAN, CENTRAL AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN OFFICE   CAR/SAM REGIONAL GUIDANCE MATERIAL ON   AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES   QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAMMES   Chapters 9 – 11   Version 1.0   November 2001

3. Contents Chapter 9. Proficiency Training Programmes
Chapter 10. ATS Safety Management
Chapter 11. Human Factors

4. Chapter 9. Proficiency Training Programmes
Introduction
Proficiency training is necessary to maintain and update the knowledge and skills necessary to apply air traffic control procedures in a safe an efficient manner
Proficiency training includes:
Refresher training
Supplemental training
Skill enhancement
Remedial training

5. Chapter 9. Proficiency Training Programmes
May be accomplished in many different ways
External
Internal (local/in-house-in proficiency training)
Most practical and efficient
Train staff as instructors (may involve external training)
After returning from training they would train others to become instructors (train-the-trainer)
Proficiency training may include:
Training videos - Separation minima
Discussions/briefings - ATS incidents
Operational procedures - Contingency procedures
Emergency procedures - Effects of volcanic ash to
Coordination procedures aviation

6. Chapter 9. Proficiency Training Programmes
Is required for:
All ATS operational personnel (supervisors and controllers)
Support personnel who maintain operational currency
Purpose
Maintain and upgrade knowledge and skills necessary to apply air traffic control procedures in safe and efficient manner
Training needs will vary between different ATS units
Describe proficiency training programme in ATS unit directive
Annual schedule of proficiency training requirements
Document training provided in controller’s training record

7. Chapter 9. Proficiency Training Programmes
Types of proficiency training
Refresher training
Recurring training conducted to maintain and update previously learned knowledge and skills
Supplemental training
Training administered to ATS operational personnel prior to implementation of new/revised procedures, regulations, equipment

8. Chapter 9. Proficiency Training Programmes
Types of proficiency training (cont.)
Skill enhancement training
Training assigned, normally by the supervisor, when it is determined that a need exists to increase the skill(s) of a controller in a position on which he/she is certified
Remedial training
Training assigned to correct specific performance deficiencies

9. Chapter 9. Proficiency Training Programmes
Refresher training topics
Unusual situations
Infrequently used procedures
Safety alerts/traffic advisories
Wake turbulence
Line up and wait procedures
Deicing procedures
Bird activity information
Strayed or unidentified aircraft orientation
Interception of civil aircraft
Meteorology procedures for ATC
Radar backup systems
ATS contingency plan procedures
Effects of volcanic ash to aviation
Coordination procedures
Civil/military coordination/joint use airspace
Separation minima
Radar vectoring techniques
Speed control techniques
Situational awareness
ATS incident reduction
Aircraft performance and characteristics
ATC communications
Prevention of runway incursions
Special VFR operations
Level assignment
Local manual of operations
Letters of agreement
Arrival/departure procedures
Weather
Noise abatement
ATS unit file/life safety procedures

10. Chapter 10. ATS Safety Management
“This material is extracted from Amendment No. 40 to Annex 11 and Amendment No. 4 to PANS-ATM Doc. 4444, both applicable on 1 November 2001”

11. Chapter 10. ATS Safety Management
Introduction
States implement systematic and appropriate ATS safety management programmes to ensure that safety is maintained in the provision of ATS within airspaces and at aerodromes by 27 November 2003
ATS safety management programmes
Provide for regular monitoring and assessment of safety level achieved
Identify potential hazards and determine the need for remedial action
Ensure that remedial action necessary to maintain an acceptable level of safety is implemented

12. Chapter 10. ATS Safety Management
Objectives of ATS safety and capacity management
Ensure established ATS level of safety is met within an airspace or aerodrome
Safety-related enhancements are implemented
ATS capacities conforming to actual needs – as far as practicable and subject to safety considerations
Facilitate efficiency and economy in aircraft operations through use of flexible airspace

13. Chapter 10. ATS Safety Management
ATS safety management activities
Monitoring overall safety levels and detection of any adverse trend
Safety reviews of ATS units
Safety assessments
Airspace re-organizations
New or changed ATS procedures
Establish need for safety enhancing measures
Review ATS capacities
Traffic demands, balancing capacity and traffic demands
Flexible use of airspace
Gain capacity and efficiency

14. Chapter 10. ATS Safety Management
Monitoring of safety levels
Periodically collect and review safety related data to evaluate level of safety achieved in ATS and to detect any adverse trends
Safety reviews
Conduct safety reviews of ATS units on a regular basis
Safety review topics include:
Regulatory issues
Operational and technical issues
Licensing and training issues

15. Chapter 10. ATS Safety Management
Safety Assessments
Need for safety assessments
Acceptable level of safety
Safety-significant factors
Need for safety-enhancing measures
Reviews of airspace and ATC capacity
Capacity assessments
Regulation of ATC capacity and traffic volumes
Enhancements to ATC capacity
Flexible use of airspace

16. Chapter 11. Human Factors
ICAO Assembly adopted Resolution A26-9 in 1986 on Flight Safety and Human Factors
Incorporation of Human Factors related SARPs in several ICAO Annexes and documents:
PANS-OPS, Doc. 8400, PANS-ATM, Doc. 4444, Annex 10 and 11
Human Factors Guidelines for Air Traffic Management Systems Manual, Doc. 9758

17. Chapter 11. Human Factors (cont’d)
Human Factors knowledge in ATS systems and practices plays an important role in air traffic quality assurance
Important concepts in the development acquisition and implementation of ATM systems:
Human centered automation
Situation awareness
Error management
Findings of Human Factors research projects useful to Air Traffic Controllers:
Extracts from “Human Factors to Air Traffic Control Specialists: A User’s Manual for your Brain” FAA – November 1995

18. Chapter 11. Human Factors (cont’d)
Information useful to air traffic control personnel
Controller/pilot voice communications
Memory
Fatigue
Effects of stress on information processing
Techniques
Help reduce probability of voice communications errors
Remembering specific information
Identifying stress that could affect performance
Reduce fatigue

19. THE END
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