CNS/ATM Training Courses – Catalogue

Why Choose GAELICAM for Your CNS/ATM Consultancy?

GAELICAM offers expert CNS/ATM consultancy services with extensive experience managing CNS/ATM projects through all phases, ensuring successful implementation and compliance. Our consultancy covers:

• Specification of requirements for  new CNS/ATM systems.
• Evaluation of industry offers and proposals.
• Monitoring system deployments to meet specified requirements.
• Conducting final acceptance trials and system validation.

Our experience

We bring over 25 years of international experience supporting Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and aviation stakeholders in areas such as:

• ATM data communications: surveillance (radar, Multilateration LAM/WAM, ADS-C, ADS-B), OLDI, EGNOS, Galileo, CFMU, EAD, PENS, Voice over IP (VoIP), Voice Communications Systems (VCSs), Flight Plan Data Processors (FPDPs), ATIS, VOLMET, communications protocols (IPv4, IPv6, X.25, FR, ATM), …
• Datalink systems: ATN concept, Air/Ground sub-networks based on VDL2, FANS Accommodation (Front-End Processors), CPDLC, ADS-C, ADS-B, D-ATIS, D-VOLMET, …
• Aeronautical Messaging Networks (AFTN/AMHS).
• ATM satellite communications projects: European Space Agency program ARTES 10 called Iris program (HERMES consortium).
• Communications Transmission means: microwaves and optical fiber rings.
• Surveillance systems: ADS-B, ADS-C, Mode-S radar, Multilateration (LAM, WAM), A-SMGCS (Advanced-Surface Movement Guidance and Control System), TIS-B.
• Verification and Validation activities: Interoperability Regulation and Certification activities, European Operational Concept Validation Methodology (E-OCVM), …
• Safety activities: ESSAR (Eurocontrol Safety Regulatory Requirement), SAM (Safety Assessment Methodology), ICAO’s Annex 19 and the Global Aviation Safety Plan, Safety Management System (SMS), …

Our consultancy services are tailored to support your specific needs and help you navigate the complex CNS/ATM environment effectively.

MINIMUM TRAINING REQUIREMENT APPLICABILITY.

This section outlines the complexities involved in defining a minimum Initial Training requirement and specifies its scope.

ATSEPs work with a wide range of CNS/ATM systems and equipment, each requiring training to develop specific skills that lead to operational competence. However, organizations vary in how they define and assign ATSEP functions and tasks. These differences make it impractical to prescribe a “one-size-fits-all” minimum training requirement that satisfies all organizational structures while ensuring a relevant and valid set of competencies for everyone.

It is widely accepted that all ATSEPs must reach a minimum required level of operational competence enabling them to perform safety related tasks with the specific equipment or systems they will be working with. These competencies apply regardless of the organization, location, or role composition. Students achieve this competence by completing System/Equipment (S/E) Rating Training. Initial Training precedes S/E Rating Training and provides students with the foundational knowledge needed to prepare for it, but it does not grant full operational competence.

Furthermore, the minimum training requirement, as described in this section does not encompass all the possible roles and responsibilities that engineers and technicians may eventually be in involved with. It is acknowledged that some organizations may assign ATSEPs additional responsibilities outside the scope and applicability of this Specification.

For the purposes of this Specification, the term ATSEP is used to describe “engineering and technical personnel undertaking operational safety related tasks”— that is, personnel who operate and maintain ATM equipment approved for operational use.

ATM equipment approved for operational use is defined as all engineering systems, facilities or devices that have been operationally released to be used either by airspace users (e.g. ground navigation facilities) directly, or are used in the provision of operational air traffic management services.

The minimum training requirement within Initial Training applies to all learner ATSEPs. The details, along with their implementation, appear in the following section.

ATSEP MINIMUM TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.

The minimum training requirement defines the knowledge and skills that learner ATSEPs must acquire through Initial Training, which consists of Basic Training and Qualification Training.

In some instances, particularly when learner ATSEPs already hold technical or engineering qualifications (e.g., engineering degrees), there is no need to repeat the objectives covered in this specification. If it can be verified or demonstrated that a learner ATSEP has already met the performance requirements of the relevant objectives, those objectives need not be retaught. The verification or demonstration of meeting these performance requirements must be documented.

Basic Training.

The objectives in the Basic Training syllabus are common to all learner ATSEPs.

Completion of every Basic Training objective is not a prerequisite for starting Qualification Training. However, all objectives must be achieved by the end of Initial Training. For pedagogical reasons, completing Basic Training before starting Qualification Training is recommended.

The Basic Training covers the following GAELICAM ‘CNSATM.INITIAL’ course modules:

• Module 1: Introduction to ATM (Air Traffic Management).
• Module 2: Familiarization with ATC (Air Traffic Control).
• Module 3: Aeronautical Information Services (AIS).
• Module 4: Meteorology.
• Module 5: CNS services.
• Module 6: Communications (C).
• Module 7: Navigation (N).
• Module 8: Surveillance (S).
• Module 9: Data processing (DP).
• Module 10: Monitoring and control of CNS/ATM system.
• Module 11: Maintenance procedures.
• Module 12: Energy and air conditioning.

Qualification Training.

The minimum training requirement is applied to learner ATSEPs during Qualification Training by identifying the specific equipment and systems the ATSEP will ultimately work with. The ‘Domain’, ‘Subject’, and ‘Topic’ columns in the following Table — titled ‘ATSEP/Controller/Pilot Training Itinerary’ — will be used for this purpose. GAELICAM courses that meet the qualification training requirements for each ATSEP are then marked with crosses (X) in the corresponding rows of the table.

When an ATSEP will work with a combination of systems or equipment, they must complete all the objectives in the relevant streams.

Example

The minimum training itinerary for an ATSEP assigned to Transmission/Reception (Domain: Communications; Subject: Voice; Topic: Air/Ground) would include these courses:

• CNSATM-INITIAL (Basic Training)

• C-VOICE (Qualification Training)

• CNSATM-GEN (Qualification Training)

These courses are drawn from the ATSEP/Controller/Pilot Training Itinerary table shown below.

Initial Training for ATSEPs.

Initial Training precedes the System/Equipment Rating Training and consists of Basic Training and Qualification Training.

Basic Training.

This stage imparts fundamental knowledge of the CNS/ATM environment, as well as skills applicable to all learner Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel (ATSEPs). It provides the essential foundation before moving to specialized qualifications.

Qualification Training.

This training focuses on domain-specific knowledge and skills tailored to the chosen qualification stream within the CNS/ATM environment.

Four specialized technical domains have been identified: Communication, Navigation, Surveillance and Data Processing. In addition, a group of generic subjects applies to all ATSEPs.

ATSSEP Qualification Streams

A total of 13 streams have been identified and represent generic profiles built according to the ATSEP roles:

Communication (COM)

• Voice Stream

• Data Stream

Navigation (NAV)

• Performance-Based Navigation

• NDB Stream

• DF Stream

• VOR Stream

• DME Stream

• ILS Stream

• GNSS Stream

Surveillance (SUR)

• PSR Stream

• SSR Stream

• ADS Stream

Data Processing (DAT)

• DP Stream

In at least one specialized technical domain, ATSEPs train for one or more streams that correspond with the systems and equipment that they will eventually work with.

At the end of Qualification Training, a learner ATSEP should be able to identify and solve generic but realistic problems related to an area of expertise. The learner ATSEP should be able to act efficiently when faced with a set of scenarios. These scenarios are mastered because the ATSEP has acquired the required knowledge and the ability to use this knowledge at an appropriate time and in a relevant manner.

GAELICAM has developed a course titled ‘CNSATM-INITIAL: Basic Training’ that covers all the modules identified in the specification for Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel (ATSEP) training:

DOMAIN	BASIC COURSES
CNSATM-INITIAL Duration: 4-6 weeks	Module 1: Introduction to ATM (Air Traffic Management).
	Module 2: Familiarization with ATC (Air Traffic Control).
	Module 3: Aeronautical Information Services (AIS).
	Module 4: Meteorology.
	Module 5: CNS services.
	Module 6: Communications (C).
	Module 7: Navigation (N).
	Module 8: Surveillance (S).
	Module 9: Data processing (DP).
	Module 10: Monitoring and control of CNS/ATM system.
	Module 11: Maintenance procedures.
	Module 12: Energy and air conditioning.

 

GAELICAM offers different flexible CNS/ATM training options:

OPTION 1: ON-SITE CLASSROOM TRAINING.

Your organization requests GAELICAM to deliver specific courses at your premises (Training Center, offices, etc.). A well-trained and experienced GAELICAM professor travels to deliver the course to students from your organization.

GAELICAM produces and provides all the course material to the students (students workbooks, CDs, etc.).

This approach has all the advantages of a face-to-face course (physical presence of the professor) while allowing cost savings, since the travel expenses for students are significantly reduced.

OPTION 2: VIRTUAL CLASSROOM TRAINING.

Students are using the GAELICAM e-learning platform (videos, chats, videoconferences, messages, etc.) with a synchronous approach. That is to say, the full learning activity is remotely conducted by the GAELICAM professor in the same way that if it was delivered in the classroom.

All the students start the course simultaneously. The GAELICAM professor remotely manages the course, defining times for each activity (lessons, exercises, etc.), arranging the corresponding tools (videos, chats, videoconferences, etc.) for further explanations answering students questions in real time.

The course material (students workbooks, CDs, etc.) is generated by GAELICAM and provided to the students.

This approach has most of the advantages of a classical classroom course, since the professor closely manages all the learning activities as if face-to-face, while enabling significant cost savings since students do not need to travel.

This method also provides high flexibility to the students, helping them balance their responsibilities within their organization alongside the learning activities.

OPTION 3: E- LEARNING TRAINING.

Students use the GAELICAM e-learning platform (videos, chats, videoconferences, messages, etc.) in an asynchronous approach. Through this method, each student can decide when to start and how much time to dedicate each day, giving full flexibility to complete the learning activity.

In any case, the professor is always monitoring the activities of each student and can provide support through learning tools (videos, e-mails, chats, videoconferences, …) on demand.

GAELICAM prepares and provides the course material to the students (E-learning platform, videos, calls, etc.)

This approach offers maximum flexibility, allowing students to balance their organizational responsibilities without incurring travel expenses.

Pilots and Controllers need to receive a general training about CNS/ATM domains as an essential part of their whole training process to obtain the corresponding license.

For this purpose, the pilots and controllers training itinerary in CNS/ATM is composed of two courses:

COURSE 1: ‘CNSATM.INITIAL’

The CNSATM.INITIAL course is structured around the following modules:

• Module 1: Introduction to ATM (Air Traffic Management).
• Module 2: Familiarization with ATC (Air Traffic Control).
• Module 3: Aeronautical Information Services (AIS).
• Module 4: Meteorology.
• Module 5: CNS services.
• Module 6: Communications (C).
• Module 7: Navigation (N).
• Module 8: Surveillance (S).
• Module 9: Data processing (DP).
• Module 10: Monitoring and control of CNS/ATM system.
• Module 11: Maintenance procedures.
• Module 12: Energy and air conditioning.

COURSE 2: CNSATM-GEN: Air Navigation CNS/ATM systems.

This course provides a high level overview of all CNS/ATM systems used by the Air navigation Service providers (ANSPs). The course describes and explains the main role of communications, navigation, surveillance and data processing systems used for the provision of Air Navigation services.

Surveillance is a key part of ATM. Radar, the mainstay of surveillance for many years, is now being supplemented by a variety of newer techniques such as ADS-B and multilateration. The key words for the future of surveillance are “performance” and “interoperability”.

GAELICAM offers courses covering the principles of both traditional and new surveillance techniques:

S-GEN: Surveillance systems.

This course provides and overview of all existing surveillance systems covering Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR), Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR, MSSR), Surface Primary Radar (SMR), Mode-S radar, ADS and multilateration systems.

It also covers the Surveillance Data Distribution from detection to plot output.

Find here the link to the S-GEN brochure

S-ADS: ADS systems.

This course provides an overview of ADS systems (Automatic Dependent Surveillance) contract mode (ADS-C) and broadcast mode (ADS-B out and ADS-B in).

ADS-C systems are used to send automatically requested information (aircraft position, identification,…) using datalink communications while ADS-B information (collected from the avionics) is transmitted to ground systems and other aircrafts using the 1090 MHz extended squitter.

Find here the link to the S-ADS brochure

S-MLAT: Multilateration systems.

This course provides an overview of multilateration systems (cooperative independent surveillance) covering both existing techniques (Local Area Multilateration – LAM and Wide Are Multilateration – WAM and the associated Surveillance Performance.

Find here the link to the S-MLAT brochure

S-ASMGCS: Advanced-Surface Movement Guidance and Control System.

This course provides an overview of A-SMGCS (Advanced-Surface Movement Guidance and Control System) systems and the associated Surveillance Performance.

A-SMGCS systems provides traffic information about vehicle position in the area and identity of the cooperative vehicles. It also maintains the airport in a safely operation mode in all visibility conditions and even during the night.

Find here the link to the S-ASMGCS_brochure

GAELICAM has developed several courses that covers the Qualification Training corresponding to the Initial Training in accordance with the specification for Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel (ATSEP) training.

These Qualification courses have been classified in the following domains (see sections below):

DOMAIN	QUALIFICATION COURSES	DURATION
COMMUNICATIONS	C-VOICE: ATS Voice over IP	1 week
	C-DATALINK: ATC and AOC Datalink services	1 week
	C-AMHS: ATS Message handling System	1 week
	C-DATA: Air Navigation Data Communications	1 week
	C-AFTN:  the AFTN network	1 week
	C-TRANSMISSION: Transmission Means (Microwaves, Optical Fiber rings)	1 week
	C-RECORDER	1 week
NAVIGATION	N-GNSS: Global Navigation Satellite Systems (SBAS and GBAS)	1 week
	N-PBN: implementing Performance Based Navigation	1 week
SURVEILLANCE	S-GEN: Surveillance systems	1 week
	S-MLAT: Multilateration systems	1 week
	S-ASMGCS: Advanced-Surface Movement Guidance and Control System	1 week
	S-ADS: ADS systems	1 week
CNS/ATM	CNSATM-GEN: Air Navigation CNS/ATM systems	1 week
	CNSATM-DPS: Data processing systems in ATM	1 week
SAFETY, VERIFICATION, VALIDATION AND CERTIFICATION	SAF-SM: Safety Management	1 week
	CER-VVC: Verification, Validation and Certification processes	1 week

GAELICAM has developed a course titled ‘CNSATM-INITIAL: Basic Training’ that covers all the modules identified in the specification for Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel (ATSEP) training:

DOMAIN	BASIC COURSES
CNSATM-INITIAL Duration: 4-6 weeks	Module 1: Introduction to ATM (Air Traffic Management).
	Module 2: Familiarization with ATC (Air Traffic Control).
	Module 3: Aeronautical Information Services (AIS).
	Module 4: Meteorology.
	Module 5: CNS services.
	Module 6: Communications (C).
	Module 7: Navigation (N).
	Module 8: Surveillance (S).
	Module 9: Data processing (DP).
	Module 10: Monitoring and control of CNS/ATM system.
	Module 11: Maintenance procedures.
	Module 12: Energy and air conditioning.

 

The term ATSEP is used to describe “engineering and technical personnel undertaking operational safety related tasks”.

ATSEP training is divided into three phases:

• Initial Training: Training that precedes the System/Equipment Rating Training. It includes Basic Training and Qualification Training.
• System/Equipment Rating Training: Training designed to impart system/equipment-related knowledge and skills leading towards operational competence.

Continuation Training: Training designed to augment existing knowledge and skills and/or to prepare for new technologies. This training is given to operationally competent personnel and it includes Refresher, Emergency and Conversion training.