Air Navigation Services Interim Standard 2 - ATC Training Programs

This Interim Standard outlines the training program records which must be sent to Transport Canada by September 11, 2026, that will provide evidence that will be used in a subsequent Interim Order to support a decision to issue an Interim ANS Approved Training Organization Certification. Furthermore, this Interim Standard provides the foundational quality requirements for those records. These standards enhance already existing standards in Standard 422 Air Traffic Controller Licences and Ratings - Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs).

On this page

• Acronyms
• Definitions
• Training Design Program Structure Requirements
• Required Instructional System Design Records
  • Analysis
  • Design
  • Development
  • Implementation
  • Validation
• ATCO Program Content Requirements
  • Basic Training
  • Airport Rating Training
  • Terminal Rating Training
  • Enroute/Ocean Rating Training
• Partial Qualification
• Progressive Qualification
• On-the-job Training Completion and Assessment
• Application Requirements
• ATCO Training Program Delivery
  • Student Currency
  • Cease Training Review Process
  • ATCO Program Validation Requirements
  • Student Records
• Training Program Approval Process
• Appendix A - Qualification Knowledge Test

Acronyms

1. ATCO – Air Traffic Controller
2. ATS – Air Traffic Services
3. OJTI – On-job-training instructor

Definitions

1. Basic Training: A course that covers basic concepts for ATCO training that are common to all ratings and covers topic areas defined in Standard 422.
2. End User Training: Training for qualified ATCOs for changes to the operational environment requiring new knowledge or skills, including the introduction or modification of equipment or procedures.
3. Initial Training: A program consisting of basic training plus rating training and is the requirement to become a Student Air Traffic Controller.
4. Instructional Systems Design: A systematic framework that guides the development of educational programs and materials to facilitate a safety-based holistic approach to effective learning which includes analysis, design and development, delivery and validation.
5. Partial Qualification: An Airport Rating qualification for which the ATCO has not yet met the full regulatory requirements for skill, knowledge, judgement, and experience, and therefore is restricted in the exercise of their privileges until all training is successfully completed. Expected partial qualification steps are associated with completion of Clearance Delivery and/or Ground Control training.
6. Licensing Training Program: A structured training program which include Basic, Rating, Unit and On-the-Job Training courses.
7. Training Course: A portion of a training program.
8. Student Air Traffic Controller: A student who is eligible to work under the guidance and supervision of an On-the-Job training instructor, having successfully completed the appropriate initial rating training for the unit where they are training.
9. Unit Qualification Training Program: A document that outlines tasks, subtasks, and coaching points specific to their unit.
10. Rating Training: A course that covers basic concepts related to a specific Canadian ATCO rating.
11. Unit Training: Unit training comprises of– classroom and when required simulator training specific to the unit where the student air traffic controller is training.
12. On-the-job training: On-the-Job Training (OJT) is intended to integrate knowledge and skills learned in prerequisite programs with the job requirements specific to the unit or sub-unit. This training is based on the Unit Qualification Training Program (UQTP) detailed for each unit and takes place in an operational environment under the guidance and supervision of a current qualified on-the-job instructor.

Training Design Program Structure Requirements

ATCO Licensing Training programs are described in the chart below and follow a prescribed structure based on ratings. All Training Programs for the issuance of a licence require Initial Training and Unit Training. Initial Training Programs include Basic Training and Rating Training for Airports, Terminals, or Enroute. All programs require Basic Training encompassing prescribed theoretical objectives and testing common to all ratings based on topics derived from Standard 422.03 (2) Requirements(c) Knowledge. Initial Training also includes one Rating Training program based on the required endorsement. Rating Training has prescribed theoretical and practical objectives as well as testing requirements. Successful completion of Initial Training results in the issuance of a Final Progress Report for Initial Training by the training organization. Students who have successfully achieved the requirements of Initial Training are eligible to work in the live operation under the guidance of an On-the-Job Training Instructor.

Unit Training consists of two components including a Unit Course/Familiarization and Unit On-the-Job Training. Unit On-the-Job Training must follow the requirements for the approved Unit Qualification Training Program.

Successful completion of the Unit On-the-Job Training allows the student to undertake a Proficiency Check. Successful completion of the Proficiency Check results in the issuance of the provisional licence and the licencing application.

After licencing, ATCOs are required to undertake Recurrent Training and when necessary, End-User Training.

Training program records which must be sent to Transport Canada by September 11, 2026, for approval include those for Basic Training, Rating Training and The ATCO Job Task Analysis for 1) VFR and 2) IFR. Training program records for Unit Training and all Recurrent and End-User Training will be required for approval in a future phase of regulation.

Training Design and Development Procedures and Requirements

The Training Procedures Manual must include a procedure for ATCO Training to produce the following key records:

Analysis

ATCO Job Task Analyses – Airports (VFR), Area- Terminal- Ocean (IFR)

Simulation Task Analysis for courses which include a simulation component

Design

Course Training Plan – for each course

Simulation Strategy for courses including the use of simulation

Simulation Matrix for courses including the use of simulation

Evaluation Strategy for each course

Table of Specifications for each exam

Development

Lesson Plans for each Terminal Objective

Knowledge exams and skills evaluations and associated marking guides

Simulation design sheets and associated marking guides

For Computer Based Training – story board and associated script

Unit Qualification Training Program for on-the-job training

Delivery

Course Administration Guide for each course

Validation

Validation Plan

Required Instructional System Design Records

Analysis

1. ATCO Job Task Analysis: The task analysis determines what must be learned to achieve the goals identified through the needs analysis process. This record defines the current areas of responsibility for an ATCO as well as their most current tasks and subtasks. Training programs must demonstrate alignment to job task analysis. Job Task Analysis is required for VFR – (Airports) and IFR – (Enroute, Terminal and Ocean).
2. Simulation Task Analysis: Ensures that simulation is appropriate and comprehensive. Various aspects of the airspace including traffic situations (both routine and non-routine) that happen within that airspace, weather, loss of equipment, volume of traffic, etc. need to be considered in the development of a simulation package to allow students to achieve the required level of competency by the end of the training course. For unit-specific training, simulation analysis will also look at the frequency and complexity of various traffic situations as well as any additional information that may be relevant to that unit.

Design

1. Course Training Plan: The Course Training Plan provides an overview of the whole course and outlines the terminal and enabling objectives, teaching points, references, and teaching strategy.
2. Simulation Strategy: The purpose of the simulation strategy is to outline the overall design of simulation, including how it is blocked, high level objectives for each block, how simulation is sequenced as well as any limitations and / or assumptions which can affect the design.
3. Simulation Matrix: The purpose of the Simulation Matrix is to outline each exercise in the simulation program. It specifies the parameters prescribed for each exercise and provides a comprehensive picture of each exercise and includes the exercise objectives, airspace conditions, traffic levels, and activities. It also includes the complexity of the airspace conditions and activities and displays the relative difficulty of each exercise.
4. Evaluation Strategy: The purpose of the Evaluation Strategy is to outline the number and types of assessments to be conducted throughout a course. It contains information about the purpose of evaluation, the performance standards, the consequences of failure, and the administration requirements.
5. Tables of Specifications: The Table of Specifications is an instrument used to help ensure that knowledge exams cover the courseware appropriately. It shows which objectives are covered in a particular knowledge exam and the weighting that has been allocated to that objective.

Development

1. Lesson Plans: The purpose of Lesson Plans is to provide the instructor with guidance on how to teach the requirements of the Terminal Objective. Lesson Plans are derived from the Course Training Plan.
2. Knowledge Tests: Knowledge tests are based on the Tables of Specifications defining what will be tested, to what level of learning and what weighting each objective will be measured by.
3. Simulation Evaluations: Simulation evaluations are created to measure defined outcomes.
4. Simulation Design Sheets: The purpose of simulation design sheets is to define the elements that will be present in the simulation exercise as well as provide guidance on coaching (if required by the exercise).
5. Marking Guides: Marking guides are used in knowledge exams and simulations evaluations to define how marks are allocated for each question, ensuring objective and consistent grading.
6. Unit Qualification Training Program: A document that outlines tasks, sub-tasks and coaching points specific to the unit.

Implementation

1. Course Administration Guide: The purpose of the Course Administration Guide is to provide direction to the person who will be delivering the course. It is the document that the instructor reviews prior to starting a course delivery.

Validation

1. Validation Plan: A validation plan is developed for a course to measure its effectiveness and ensure continuous improvement. A comprehensive validation plan will measure student reaction and feedback, learning and transfer of learning as well as incorporate a process to address gaps identified by safety events.

ATCO Program Content Requirements

Basic Training

The basic course applicable to all ratings must cover the following topics and objectives derived from Standard 422 (see Appendix A):

Note: The basic course requirements can be a standalone course or integrated into a generic rating course. The standards do not define the sequence of the training design only what must be covered.

1. "Air law" - the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARS) and Manual of Air Traffic Services (MATS).

   Objective	Teaching Points	References
   Airport layout, traffic organization
   Describe aerodrome regulations	State the regulations concerning the operation of aircraft in, or in the vicinity of an aerodrome	CARS Part V, Subpart 2, Division V CAR 602.96 (3)
   Describe airborne traffic organization	Describe basic organization of airborne traffic	CAR 602.96(3) (c)
   Describe noise abatement	Describe noise abatement	CAR 602.105
   VFR Flight
   Describe regulations for minimum altitudes of flight	Describe regulations for built-up areas or open-air assemblies of people Describe regulations for other areas	602.14(2) 602.114
   Describe the regulations for special circumstances in flight	Explain regulations related to special circumstances in flight	CAR 602.22 CAR 602.24 CAR 602.26 CAR 602.27
   Airspace classification
   Describe airspace classifications	Describe the 7 airspace classes Define the applicable areas for each class Define Class F advisory, restricted and danger areas	DAH CAR 601.01
   Define conditions for VFR flights in different airspace classifications	List the rules regarding VFR aircraft for each class
   Describe the Class F coding system	Decode the Class F coding system
   Flight altitude and pressure regions
   Describe appropriate altitudes	Define altitudes appropriate to the direction of flight	CAR 602.34
   Describe pressure region	Define altimeter setting region and standard pressure region
   Describe transitioning between regions	Explain the rules for altimeter setting when transitioning between regions	TC AIM -RAC 2.11

2. “Air traffic control equipment" - the basic principles, use and limitations of radar and satellite or digital/global positioning equipment.

   Objective	Teaching Points	References
   Airport lighting
   Describe airport lighting	Define the term night State the rules for lighting at the airport	CAR 101.01
   Traffic Collision Avoidance System
   Describe airborne collision avoidance system (TCAS)	Describe TCAS State the purpose of TCAS Explain how TCAS functions
   Describe the performance characteristics of TCAS 1 and TCAS II	Describe the performance characteristics of TCAS I Describe the performance characteristics of TCAS II
   Describe TCAS II system components	Describe the four main components of TCAS II (transponder, computer, display and speaker)
   Describe Mode A, C and S surveillance	Describe the four discrete levels of intruder classification Describe how threat is detected and displayed Describe TAs and RAs Describe TCAS levels of protection offered for aircraft equipped with: A Mode A transponder A Mode C transponder A Mode S transponder data link No transponder
   Describe the impact of TCAS on air traffic control	Explain ATC responsibility for providing separation between aircraft responding to an RA Describe pilot actions when responding to an RA Describe controller actions when dealing with aircraft responding to an RA
   Surveillance Systems and Equipment
   Describe surveillance system technology	Describe the various surveillance technologies used in ATS
   Describe how surveillance system technologies differ	Explain the differences among the different surveillance technologies
   Describe surveillance data processing	Describe how surveillance data is processed and displayed
   Describe information and data processing systems	Describe different ATS information and data processing systems
   Describe rules regarding equipment operation	State the rules regarding equipment operation

3. “General knowledge" - the performance of various aircraft types relative to air traffic control procedures, including the avoidance of wake turbulence.

   Objective	Teaching Points	References
   Airports
   Describe aerodromes and airports	Define airport and aerodrome
   Describe runway numbering	Describe how runways are numbered
   Describe ground traffic organization	Describe basic organization of ground traffic
   ATS Services and Positions
   Describe services provided by ATS personnel	Define the services provided by ATS personnel Explain the objective of control service
   Describe ATS positions	List ATS positions
   Describe the information services at a flight information centre	List the services provided by ATS staff working at a flight information centre
   Describe information services at a Flight Service Station	List the services provided by ATS staff working at a flight service station
   Describe airport control services	Describe airport control services List ATS positions that provide airport control services
   Describe terminal control services	Describe terminal control services List ATS positions that provide terminal control services
   Describe area control services	Describe area control services List ATS positions that provide area control services
   Phases of flight
   Describe the phases of flight	Describe the different phases of flight Define top of descent Describe differences between major and minor airports
   Aircraft Performance
   Describe how wind affects aircraft performance	Describe the effect of wind on aircraft performance
   Describe types of engines	Identify the different types of engines
   Describe the performance characteristics of different types of engines	Describe the performance characteristics of different types of engines
   Describe how propellor pitch affects aircraft performance	Describe how propellor pitch affects aircraft performance
   Describe how aircraft flaps affect aircraft performance	Explain the use of flaps
   Wake Turbulence
   Describe wake turbulence	Define wake turbulence Explain causes of wake turbulence
   Describe the effects of wing-tip vortices on fixed-wing aircraft	Describe the characteristics and effects of wing-tip vortices on fixed-wing aircraft
   Describe the responsibilities of pilots and ATS personnel to manage wake turbulence	State the responsibilities that pilots and ATS Personnel have related to wake turbulence
   Describe weight categories of aircraft	Describe the weight categories of aircraft and the publication that lists them

4. "Human performance and limitations" - human performance and limitations relevant to air traffic control.

   Objective	Teaching Points	References
   Situational awareness
   Explain how to manage the flow of information.	Describe how mental models help with managing the flow of information.
   Describe situational awareness	Describe the role of situational awareness in ATS
   Describe the three levels of situational awareness model commonly used by ATS personnel	Describe perception, comprehension and projection Explain how mental models fit into situational awareness Develop your own mental models for basic aviation knowledge
   Describe human performance and limitations	Describe the stages of human information processing Describe how incidents and accidents can be organizationally based
   Describe Reason’s accident causation model	Describe Reason’s model
   Use the PETE model to analyze an aviation occurrence	Define the elements of the PETE model Analyze an occurrence
   Describe threat and error management	Describe Threat and Error Management Describe how to apply the Threat and Error Management Toolkit
   Describe the benefits of effective teamwork	Define the qualities of an effective team Describe the formation of a high-performance team

5. "Language" - the language or languages nationally designated for use in air traffic control and ability to speak such language or languages without accent or impediment which would adversely affect radio communication.

   Objective	Teaching Points	References
   ATS Services and Communication Procedures
   Describe the information services at a flight information centre	State how a flight service specialist working at a FIC is identified in radio communications
   Describe information services at a flight service station	Explain RCO radio frequency State how a flight service specialist working at an FSS is identified in radio communications
   Describe airport control services	State how apron advisory service, clearance delivery, ground control and tower control positions are identified in radio communications
   Describe terminal control services	State how terminal departure, arrival and terminal surveillance positions are identified in radio communications
   Describe area control services	State how enroute controller position is identified in radio communications
   Describe phraseology used while communicating TCAS actions	State example of phraseology used while pilot and controller communicate TCAS actions
   ATS Coding
   Describe ATS Coding	Explain ATS coding State what is listed in an instrument flight rules FDE
   Describe the coding of units of measurement	List commonly used codes for units of measurement such as time, speed, distance, heading, altitude, altimeter, wind direction and speed, visibility and radio frequency
   Describe coding of location identifiers	List commonly used codes for various location identifiers
   Describe coding of details about the aircraft	List commonly used codes for details about the aircraft such as company identifier, weight category, aircraft type and equipment

6. "Meteorology" - meteorology, including an appreciation of synoptic charts, weather reports and forecasts and the use of altimeters.

   Objective	Teaching Points	References
   VFR Flight
   Describe regulations regarding weather conditions for VFR flight	Define ground visibility and flight visibility Describe the regulatory requirements for VFR flight	CAR 101.01 CAR 602.114 CAR 602.116 CAR 602.117 CAR 602.121
   Weather phenomena affecting aviation
   Describe cloud types	Describe the four basic clouds of vertical development
   Describe pressure systems	Describe high- and low-pressure systems and their depiction on a map
   Describe the relationship between pressure gradient and wind speed	Define pressure gradient and explain its relationship to wind speed
   Describe wind circulation	Describe wind circulation and pressure patterns Explain Coriolis force Explain Buy Ballot’s law Determine wind speed and direction at various locations Describe veering and backing Describe factors that influence the direction and velocity of wind Explain the change in wind velocity with height in the lower 3000 feet of the atmosphere
   Describe how wind is represented on surface maps	Describe how wind is represented on surface maps
   Describe lifting agents	Describe atmospheric lifting agents
   Describe air masses and fronts	Describe fronts and their depiction on a map
   Describe how fronts affect weather	Describe weather conditions associated with warm and cold fronts
   Thunderstorms
   Describe thunderstorms	Describe thunderstorms
   Explain how thunderstorms form	Explain the basic requirements for the formation of thunderstorms Outline the three distinct stages in the formation of a thunderstorm
   Describe the two types of thunderstorms	Identify the two types of thunderstorms
   Describe areas of concern when flying near thunderstorms	State the areas of concern when flying in or near thunderstorms
   Describe the effect of cloud types on flight	Describe the significance of CU, TCU, CB and ACC clouds to aviation Describe the effects of CBs on aircraft
   Turbulence
   Describe turbulence	Define turbulence
   Describe causes of turbulence	List the causes of turbulence
   Describe stable and unstable air	Describe stable and unstable air as it relates to the vertical motion of air and to flight conditions
   Describe the intensities of turbulence	Describe the categories of turbulence Describe the intensities of turbulence
   Describe downbursts	Describe two types of downbursts
   Describe wind shear	Define windshear and its effect on aircraft performance Define high-level wind shear Define low level wind shear
   Describe the effects of LLWS on aircraft	Describe how low-level wind shear affects arriving and departing aircraft
   Describe the difference between chop and turbulence	Describe the differences between chop and turbulence
   Describe clear air turbulence	Describe clear air turbulence and state where it is normally found
   Describe the pilot procedures for reporting turbulence	Describe pilot procedures for reporting turbulence
   Icing
   Describe icing	Describe the four types of icing Describe the four icing intensities
   Describe conditions that produce icing	Describe conditions that produce icing
   Describe the relationship between icing and cloud types	List the clouds that hold the heaviest deposits of icing State where the most dangerous types of icing are generally encountered
   Describe carburetor icing	Describe carburetor icing
   Describe how icing affects aircraft performance	Describe icing and its effects on aircraft performance Describe its effect on ANS operations
   Describe what information pilots must include when reporting icing	Describe the information pilots must include when reporting icing
   Aviation Weather Reports
   Describe Meteorological Aerodrome Report (METARs)	Interpret and decode aerodrome routine meteorological reports (METARS)
   Describe weather codes	Define common terms that appear in aviation weather reports
   Describe sky codes	Describe the information supplied by sky condition codes
   Describe Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs)	Interpret and decode TAFs
   Describe Graphic Area Forecasts (GFA)	Describe Graphic Area Forecast Charts
   Describe Significant Meteorological Information Reports (SIGMET)	Interpret and decode SIGMETs
   Describe Airmen’s Meteorological Information (AIRMET)	Interpret and decode AIRMETs
   Describe Pilot Reports (PIREPs)	List the two types of PIREPs Interpret and decode PIREPs
   Describe how to encode a Pilot Report (PIREP)	Describe how to encode a PIREP
   Describe Flight Data reports (FDs)	Interpret and decode FDs
   Describe how to report weather conditions to pilots	Describe the responsibilities of controllers and specialists to report to pilots about cumulonimbus (CB), icing, wind shear and turbulence

7. "Navigation" - the principles of air navigation, the use and limitations of radio, visual and other aids to air navigation.

   Objective	Teaching Points	References
   ATS Services
   Describe ATS surveillance	Describe ATS Surveillance
   NAVAIDs
   Explain how to communicate about NAVAIDS	State the terms for NAVAIDS
   Radio Frequency
   Describe radio frequencies at major airports	Describe radio frequencies used at major airports Describe ATS frequences used by Flight Service Specialists Describe the responsibilities of ATS personnel with respect to departures and arrivals and enroute phases of flight
   ATS Communication
   Describe ATS Communication	Describe ATS Communication
   Describe how radio frequencies are managed	Describe frequency management
   Describe ATS radio rules and procedures	State the rules and procedures regarding the use of ATS radios
   Describe proper transmission techniques	State and apply the rue procedures regarding proper transmission techniques
   Describe radio check procedures	Describe radio checks and radio reception scale
   Describe direct communication	Define direct communications Describe secondary communication methods
   Describe ATS inter-unit communications	State the rules and procedures regarding the use of the TAC interphone, the AMIS interphone and hotlines
   Describe data link communication	List three modes of data link communication
   Surveillance
   Describe ATS surveillance	Describe ATS surveillance

8. "Operational procedures" - air traffic control and communication procedures (routine, non-routine and emergency); use of the relevant aeronautical documentation; safety practices associated with flight.

   Objective	Teaching Points	References
   ATS Services
   Describe IFR departures and arrivals	Describe the sequence of steps taken by departing and arriving IFR aircraft in relation to terminal control
   Describe how work is organized at an area control center	Describe how work is organization at an area control center
   Describe information services at a flight service station	Describe RAAS service
   VFR Flights
   Describe right of way rules	Describe right of way rules for a variety of VFR flight situations	CAR 602.19 CAR 602.21
   Airspace classification
   Describe airspace classification	Determine if and how aircraft are controlled in each class	DAH CAR 601.01
   Routes, Airways and Charts
   Describe air routes and airways	Define airways and air routes
   Describe low level airways, air routes and T routes	Describe the lateral and vertical limits of low-level air ways and air routes
   Describe high level airways and Q-routes	Describe high level airways and air routes
   Describe designated area of controlled airspace	Describe and state the lateral and vertical limits of controlled airspace (control zone, control area extensions, terminal control area and transition area)
   Explain how to communicate about airways and air routes	State the terms for airways and air routes
   Describe minimum IFR altitudes and IFR airport routing	Define minimum IFR altitude, MVA, MEA, MOCA, MRA, SID and STAR
   Describe charts commonly used in operations	State the purpose of charts commonly used in operations
   Describe methods of representing chart scales	List the three methods of representing chart scale
   Describe VNC chart	Extract information from VNC charts
   Describe LO chart	Extract information from LO charts

Basic Training Assessment

The following criteria must be met for assessing Basic training requirements:

1. A knowledge exam covering all Objectives;
2. The pass mark is set at 80%;
3. A Table of Specifications outlining the weighting of objectives; and
4. A description of the consequences of failure.

Airport Rating Training

Rating courses must consist of two components: theoretical and practical.

1. Practical portions require the use of simulated training; and
2. Objectives requiring practical application are indicated by the verb used in the Objective column associated with each Rating training requirements.

The training course must contain at a minimum the following objectives:

Airport Control Rating Assessment

The Basic Airport Control Rating course requires the following:

1. General
   1. An evaluation strategy and associated tables of specifications;
   2. Practical assessments must be administered by an instructor who has been trained;
   3. Knowledge testing is set at 80%; and
   4. Practical testing which ensures the following critical skills are assessed.
2. Ground
   1. Issuing and obtaining appropriate hold and hold short instructions (with readbacks);
   2. Issuing a correct IFR clearance;
   3. Avoiding runway incursions (e.g. active scanning, effective coordination); and
   4. Separating traffic on ground (excluding vehicle vs. vehicle).
3. Tower
   1. Obtaining runway separation/avoiding runway incursion/issuing and obtaining appropriate hold and hold short instructions (with readbacks);
   2. Providing wake turbulence separation and cautionaries;
   3. Ensuring IFR separation;
   4. Effectively coordinating runway ownership/occupancy; and
   5. Providing PPS separation.

Terminal Rating Training

Rating courses must consist of two components: theoretical and practical.

1. Practical portions require the use of simulated training; and
2. Objectives requiring practical application are indicated by the verb used in the Objective column associated with each Rating training requirements.

The training course must contain at a minimum the following objectives:

Terminal Control Rating Assessment

The Basic Terminal Control Rating course requires the following:

1. General
   1. An Evaluation Strategy and associated Tables of Specifications;
   2. Practical assessments must be administered by an instructor who has been trained;
   3. Knowledge testing is set at 80%; and
   4. Practical testing which ensures the following critical skills are assessed.
2. Situational Awareness
   1. Efficient/Correct Routing;
   2. Delays in Response;
   3. Adherence to Operating Procedures; and
   4. Incorrect Application of Technique (Total) – Altitude, Speed, Vectors.
3. Separation
   1. Loss of Separation;
   2. Loss of Wake Turbulence Separation;
   3. Traffic Information; and
   4. Establish/Maintain Radar Identification.

Enroute/Ocean Rating Training

Rating courses must consist of two components: theoretical and practical.

1. Practical portions require the use of simulated training; and
2. Objectives requiring practical application are indicated by the verb used in the Objective column associated with each Rating training requirements.

The training course must contain at a minimum the following objectives:

Enroute/Ocean Rating Assessment

The Basic Enroute/Ocean Control Rating course requires the following:

1. General
   1. An Evaluation Strategy and associated Tables of Specifications;
   2. Practical assessments must be administered by an instructor who has been trained;
   3. Knowledge testing is set at 80%; and
   4. Practical testing which ensures the following critical skills are assessed:
      1. Situational awareness;
      2. Separation;
      3. Managing operational tasks; and
      4. Communications skills.
2. On-the-Job Training
   1. Every Unit that has a Unit Qualification Training Program must:
      1. Ensure that all required tasks and subtasks are achieved to successfully complete training;
      2. Identify number of days of training per phase;
      3. Describe a structure of the progression of training; and
      4. Provide coaching points for each subtask.

Partial Qualification

A Unit Qualification Training Program may include an on-the-job training structure that results in a partial qualification which limits the privileges of the licence holder to clearance delivery and/or ground control positions.

Progressive Qualification

A Unit Qualification Training Program may include the use of a Progressive Qualification for enroute sector(s) to describe the structure of the on-the-job training allowing for a licence qualification in a sector or subset of sectors .

On-the-job Training Completion and Assessment

1. To successfully complete training, all phases of training must be conducted;
2. Every Unit must have a Qualification Knowledge Test based on the criteria outlined in Standard 422; and
3. Upon completion of training a Proficiency Check must be conducted prior to the issuance of a provisional licence.

Application Requirements

Indicate in Application Air Traffic Controller Licence (26-0145E or F (0711-04) - Part B (or Special Training) that the applicant has completed approved training by including the course code or version number, as applicable.

Program Maintenance Requirements

A procedure is required to ensure ATCO training programs remain up to date with changes to operational standards, job tasks and sub-tasks, and meets the following criteria:

1. A process to identify a change as major or minor;
2. Major amendments: defined as substantive content changes that impact policy, procedures, requirements, or operational standards; and
3. Minor amendments: defined as administrative or editorial updates that do not affect policy, procedures, requirements, or operational standards (grammatical corrections, punctuation, formatting, etc.

ATCO Training Program Delivery

Processes are required to ensure ATCO training programs are consistently delivered and meet the following criteria:

Student Currency

Student ATCOs must remain knowledgeable when there are changes to operational procedures and equipment and must:

1. Receive the latest changes to operational procedures prior to the end of initial and unit training;
2. Receive the current applicable operational information and procedures while undertaking OJT; and
3. Review and understand the latest information and procedures affecting the unit prior to starting their shift when undertaking on-the-job instruction.

Cease Training Review Process

A review must be conducted to confirm that applicable training processes, procedures, and policies have been followed prior to ceasing training.

ATCO Program Validation Requirements

A process is required to define how courses and programs will measure training effectiveness and support continuous improvements and must include the following criteria:

1. Reaction;
2. Learning;
3. Application; and
4. Organizational (internal) impact.

Student Records

The following student records must be completed and stored for a period of two years post training:

1. Training Acknowledgement;
2. Affective Factors Appraisal;
3. Interview Records (if applicable);
4. Simulation “Daily” Training Reports;
5. Simulation Evaluations (including Progress Checks - PCs);
6. Exams;
7. MATS Student Briefing Checklist (copy, if applicable);
8. Individual Training Plan (ITP) (If applicable); and
9. QKT.

The proof of successful completion of initial training must be stored for the duration of an ATCO’s career. This can be any of the following documents:

1. Copy of graduation certificate or NAV CANADA final assessment;
2. Copy of final progress report;
3. Letter of attestation from an individual with first-hand knowledge of the Basic Training Program attendance and graduation; or
4. Letter indicating ATC Equivalency for controllers with previous experience.

Training Program Approval Process

The following ATCO Training Programs require Transport Canada Approval:

1. Basic Training;
2. Rating Training for Airports, Terminal and Enroute; and
3. On-the-job training.

The following documents are to be provided to Transport Canada by September 11, 2026, to obtain approval:

1. The Basic Training Course Training Plan including a Version Number;
2. The Course Training Plans for the Basic Airports Course, Generic Terminal Course and Generic Enroute Course including a Version Number;
3. The ATCO Job Task Analysis for 1) VFR and 2) IFR; and
4. A matrix that shows how the basic course aligns with the objectives.

Annually, Major Amendments and Minor Amendments described in – Program Maintenance Requirements must be submitted to Transport Canada and must include:

1. A version number of the course training plan;
2. A description of changes and whether they are major or minor amendments; and
3. Changes will be indicated using a standard method to show where the updates have been made.

When a course is fully redesigned and developed, it shall be sent for approval outside of the annual cycle.

Appendix A - Qualification Knowledge Test

Each unit must develop a qualification knowledge test that covers the following topics associated with the applicable rating:

Airport

1. airport layout;
2. airspace and control zone rules;
3. co-ordination procedures between the airport control tower unit and other traffic control units;
4. available electronic aids to navigation and air traffic control;
5. ATC equipment in the Control Tower and its operational use;
6. terrain prominent landmarks and air navigation facilities within a 25 nautical mile radius of the centre of the airport;
7. regular aircraft operating characteristics and traffic flows and airspace agreements;
8. meteorological phenomena peculiar to that region; and
9. search and rescue plans and emergency procedures;

Terminal Control Rating

1. runway layouts at airports within the Terminal Control Area (TCA);
2. control zone and terminal control area airspace rules and procedures;
3. co-ordination procedures and airspace agreements between the Terminal Control Unit and other underlying and adjacent air traffic control units;
4. available electronic aids to navigation and air traffic control;
5. ATC equipment in the Terminal Control Unit and its operational use;
6. prominent terrain and landmarks, air navigation aids and ATC facilities within a 50 nautical mile radius beyond the airspace under the jurisdiction of the Terminal Control Unit;
7. regular aircraft operating characteristics and air traffic flows;
8. meteorological phenomena peculiar to that Terminal Control Area and adjacent regions;
9. search and rescue alerting plans and emergency procedures; and
10. holding, approach, missed approach and departure procedures, including protected airspace configurations.

Area Control Rating

1. runway layouts for airports to which approach and departure clearances may be directly issued by an Area Control Centre sector controller;
2. the structure and rules applicable to all airspace under the jurisdiction of that area control centre;
3. co-ordination procedures and airspace agreements between the area control centre and other underlying and adjacent air traffic control units;
4. available electronic aids to navigation and air traffic control;
5. ATC equipment in the ACC and its operational use;
6. prominent terrain and landmarks, air navigation aids and ATC facilities underlying, and within 100 NM adjacent to, the airspace under the jurisdiction of that area control centre;
7. regular aircraft operating characteristics and air traffic flows;
8. meteorological phenomena peculiar to that and adjacent regions;
9. the locations and search and rescue plans and procedures for alerting emergency services; and
10. holding, approach, missed approach and departure procedures.

Oceanic Control Rating

1. the structure and rules applicable to all oceanic airspaces under the jurisdiction of that oceanic control unit;
2. co-ordination procedures and airspace agreements between the area control centre in which the oceanic control unit operates and all other adjacent oceanic, area control centre and ATC units at international airports underlying or within 500 NM of that unit's oceanic controlled airspace;
3. international standards and ICAO recommended practices concerning the operation of aircraft over large bodies of water;
4. available electronic aids to air navigation and air traffic control;
5. ATC equipment and its use in the oceanic unit(s) and adjacent or co-located area control centre;
6. air navigation facilities and air traffic services available at all airports underlying and at international airports within 500 NM of that sector's oceanic controlled airspace;
7. regular aircraft operating characteristics and traffic flows along minimum time tracks;
8. meteorological phenomena peculiar to that oceanic airspace and adjacent regions;
9. search and rescue plans and the locations and procedures for alerting national and international emergency services; and
10. holding, delay and alternate routing procedures which may be employed a necessary for safe operations.