Air Navigation Services Training & Licensing: Interim Standard 1 - Proficiency Check

Compliance with respective elements of the order shall mean compliance with the requirements below:

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Acronyms

  1. ATCO – Air Traffic Controller
  2. ATS – Air Traffic Services

Definitions

  1. ATCO Authorized Assessor: A person who is authorized through a letter of delegation to perform proficiency checks on behalf of the Minister of Transport for issuance or maintenance of an ATCO licence and endorsement.
  2. Dual/Multiple Rating: signifies that an ATCO has received more than one rating at the completion of training in a single unit.
  3. Progressive Qualification: An Area Rating qualification within an Area Control Centre in a minimum of one sector for which the ATCO has met the regulatory requirements for skill, knowledge, judgement, and experience. The ATCO will continue training to become competent in the remaining sectors of the unit based on the Unit Qualification Training Program timelines.
  4. Valid licence: A licence is considered valid when the licence holder is able to exercise the privileges of the licence.

Applicability

This policy applies to ATS operations certificate holders who conduct proficiency checks.

Requirement for a Proficiency Check

Proficiency checks are required in the following circumstances:

  1. To meet the requirements of CARS 402.05 to ensure the ongoing competency of ATCOs
  2. To meet the new application requirements for a new licence and/or rating for CARS 402.03
  3. To determine competency for a qualification in a new area of responsibility under a current endorsement.
  4. After an absence of 180 calendar days or more

Administration of Proficiency Checks

  1. Proficiency Checks for holders of or applicants for an ATCO Licence must be conducted by an ATCO Authorized Assessor
  2. Proficiency Checks for holders of or applicants for an ATCO Licence must be conducted by an ATCO Authorized Assessor who has a valid licence for the unit or area of responsibility within the unit where the check will be conducted
  3. Proficiency Checks for applicants of an ATCO Licence must be conducted once the student has completed all requirements of the training program but prior to the issuance of a provisional licence
  4. Applicants who have been unsuccessful on a Proficiency Check for an application for a licence are eligible to undertake subsequent proficiency checks after receiving additional training and/or coaching for the specific areas for improvement
  5. Individuals undergoing Proficiency Checks for new licences, ratings, endorsements or qualifications or after an absence of 180 days or more must be working under the direction of an on-the-job instructor who shall be accountable for the safety of the operational position

Procedures Document for Proficiency Checks

An ATS operations certificate holder must establish, maintain, and implement a Program Manual that describes the policies, procedures, and systems used to check and maintain the operational competence of ATCOs and include the following:

  1. A statement of the purpose of the manual;
  2. A date the manual becomes valid;
  3. A "record of revisions" page which shall include the identification of each revised item, page, date and the signature of the person approving the change;
  4. A Table of Contents;
  5. Relevant definitions and abbreviations;
  6. A description of the roles and responsibilities of accountable managers;
  7. Administrative responsibilities including required documentation, retention periods, a method to calculate the validity period and security requirements;
  8. A description of assessor qualifications, required training as well as assessor roles and responsibilities;
  9. A description of the process for proficiency checks for holders of ATCO licences;
  10. A description of the process for proficiency checks for new licences and ratings to obtain a provisional licence;
  11. Assessment administration procedures;
  12. A procedure to ensure that employees with dual/multiple ratings and/or endorsements require a check of each rating and/or endorsement;
  13. A procedure for debriefs;
  14. A procedure in the event of failure of any check;
  15. A procedure in the event of a safety event during a check activity;
  16. A procedure for holding a Unit Assessor Annual Meeting;
  17. A procedure to check currency after an absence from service of 28 days or more including a process to request additional support beyond initially identified requirements to regain currency;
  18. A procedure to maintain an up-to-date list of Authorized Assessors; and
  19. A procedure to ensure no conflict of interest in the administration of proficiency checks.

Proficiency Check Standards

Proficiency Checks must consist of assessment of knowledge, operational communications, skill, and judgement. They must be designed, developed and administered according to the following standards:

  1. Design/ Development standards
    1. a) Standards for licensing and proficiency checks require consistency across operational units and must be aligned to national operational standards and procedures – i.e. Manual of Air Traffic Services.
    2. b) Knowledge and skill/judgement checks must be designed to be a minimum cumulative total of 4 hours
    3. c) The written knowledge component must not account for more than 30 minutes of the four-hour assessment period. Candidates may be granted additional time to complete the knowledge test, where necessary; however, any additional time provided must not be counted as part of the four-hour assessment period.
    4. d) Observation checks must include all sectors, positions, services and all operational proficiency defined tasks.
    5. e) Knowledge tests must be based on a set of standardized questions. A minimum standard bank of questions is required to allow for randomization of tests
    6. f) Knowledge tests must have a minimum of 20 randomized questions
    7. g) Oral checks may be used to assess knowledge and judgement for infrequently performed tasks which may not occur in a four-hour period.
  2. Conduct Standards
    1. a) All checks require clear administration instructions
    2. b) Written testing may use online tools provided the identity of the person undergoing assessment can be verified.
    3. c) The operational proficiency standard is set at 70%
    4. d) Standards for knowledge testing are set at a minimum of 80%
    5. e) New licences and progressive qualifications, including qualification in a new unit within the same rating type, must not exceed 6-month assessment cycles until one year post full qualification in the operational unit
  3. Correction Standards

    Proficiency checks must include established marking criteria or assessment guidance. For automated assessment tools, these marking criteria may be incorporated into the system logic.

Proficiency Check Reliability

  1. ATCO Authorized Assessor annual meetings must be conducted to promote consistency, integrity, and reliability in the application of proficiency check standards and processes. A review of real-world scenarios must be included
  2. ATCO Authorized Assessors unable to attend annual meetings must be provided with documented mandatory information to be reviewed in a verbal briefing

Ensuring ATCO Currency

ATS Certificate Holders must ensure that ATCOs are up to date with the latest information affecting the provision of service. ATS Certificate holders must develop processes to ensure ATCO currency:

  1. A process must describe:
    1. a) Who is accountable for ensuring current information is provided
    2. b) The types of information that requires the ATCO to be updated
    3. c) The formats for providing up-to-date information
    4. d) The record retention requirements for updated information
  2. A process must ensure that ATCOs have reviewed and understood the latest information and procedures affecting the provision of service and must require:
    1. a) An ability for the ATCO to ask questions to confirm understanding of the information or procedure
    2. b) A record to confirm the ATCO has received and understood the change impacting the operation

Records

New Licence/Rating Applications

  1. In addition to the existing requirements of Standard 422, applications for a new licence or rating must include a record demonstrating the proficiency check was conducted by an ATCO Authorized Assessor.

Supervision of ATCO Authorized Assessors and Proficiency Checks

Management position(s) shall provide oversight of ATCO Authorized Assessors and the administration of proficiency checks. Management shall ensure the following:

  1. Assessors are trained, competent, and current to perform their assigned responsibilities;
  2. Annual ATCO Authorized Assessor meetings are planned and conducted as required;
  3. Any loss of assessor competency is identified and appropriately managed;
  4. Issues related to the administration of proficiency checks are addressed and resolved;
  5. Proficiency checks continue to meet applicable regulatory requirements;
  6. Proficiency checks are completed within the required timelines and in accordance with applicable standards;
  7. Return-from-absence requirements are managed in accordance with Section 4; and
  8. Operational personnel receive current information and procedures relevant to their duties.
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