TRAINING PROCEDURES
With the establishment of the public company Slovenia Control, Air Navigation Services, Limited a huge step forward was made in training the necessary staff. Already six months after the establishment of the company a "Flying School" was established under his direction. In accordance with European and global standards, this school trains all the staff profiles the company needs, whether it be professionals for air navigation services, flight data services or professionals needed for aviation telecommunication services.
If someone wants to become an air traffic controller, they do not need extensive knowledge in the area of aviation as all the necessary skills are acquired at the training sessions. Training is so specific and expensive that there is no public – educational institution that offers it.
Successfully passing a test and selection are preconditions for beginning a training session. The selection of candidates is based mostly on test results according to Eurocontrol's FEAST program (First European Air Traffic Control Selection Test Package). Training starts with a beginner's course (ab-initio), which lasts approximately three months and includes subjects needed for basic air traffic controller skills.Afterwards, for the most part successful candidates continue with training in order to acquire an operating licence and a rating as an air traffic controller.At this point, they learn the theory and train using the simulator for approximately three months.
Upon successfully completing the course the candidates are placed in air traffic controller units, where they will perform the services later on and enter practical training, which lasts from six to 12 months. When they complete the prescribed number of hours, they then write an exam for their air traffic controller licence.
Later on, air traffic controllers are entitled to acquire Approach, Approach Control, Area and Area Control Surveillance ratings Training takes place in way so that the candidate first acquires the theory and practices on the simulator and then they enter practical training in an air traffic control unit. A candidate needs an average of 12 months to acquire each additional rating.
The acquired ratings are valid for one year and then an examination of professional qualification for each rating at the work position or at the simulator follows. If the candidate successfully passes the examination, their validity is certified once again for the same period. In this manner training never ends.
The same goes for Aeronautical Information Management Staff. Successfully passing a test and selection are preconditions for beginning a training session. Training starts with a beginner's course (ab-initio), which lasts approximately three months and includes subjects needed for basic air traffic controller skills.The majority of the successful candidates then continue training for acquiring an operating licence and specialisation for their future filed of work. Upon successfully completing the course the candidates are placed in air traffic controller units, where they will perform the services later on and enter practical training, which lasts from six to 12 months. When they complete the prescribed number of hours, they write an exam to acquire a licence for work in IKC, ARO, NOTAM, and COM.
The licences acquired are valid for two years and then an examination of professional qualifications for each licence, working position and device or system is carried out, and if the candidate successfully passes the examination their validity is prolonged again for the same period.
Aviation telecommunication services staff also first enters a testing and selection procedure. The majority of staff in this field of work usually already has a certain amount of knowledge, which they acquired from the public training system. This is why it is necessary to only add specific knowledge in the field of aviation for the beginner's course.
Candidates, who successfully complete this training, continue with qualification training in one of four areas – communication, navigation, and control or data flow and after acquiring the so-called rating they taking a training course with the manufacturer of the equipment, which continues with training in the unit on a certain device, which they will have written on their licence later on.
The licences acquired are valid for two years and then an examination of professional qualification for each licence, working position and device or system is carried out, and if the candidate successfully passes the examination their validity is prolonged again for the same period.
The school constantly takes into consideration the international regulations and recommendations (ICAO and EUROCONTROL) when performing their services.
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