[TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE OF INDIA, EXTRAORDINARY, PART II,

SECTION 3, SUB-SECTION (I)]

GOVERNMENT OF INIDA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

Notification

New Delhi, the May , 2009

G.S.R. (E).- The following draft of certain rules further to amend the
aircraft Rules 1937, which the Central Government proposes to make in exercise of
the power conferred by section 5 of the Aircraft Act, 1934 (22 of 1934), is hereby
published as required by section 14 of the said Act, for information of all persons
likely to be affected thereby; and notice is hereby given that the said draft will be
taken into consideration after a period of thirty days from the date on which the
copiers of the Gazette of India in which this notification is published, are made
available to the public;

Objections or suggestions, if any, may be addressed to the Director General

of Civil Aviation, Opposite Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi – 110 003;

Any objection or suggestion which may be received from any person with
respect to the said draft rules before the expiry of the period specified above will be
considered by the Central Government.

DRAFT RULES

1. (1) These rules may be called the Aircraft( …… Amendment) Rules, 2009.

(2) They shall come into force on the date of their final publication in the
Official Gazette.

2. In the Aircraft Rules, 1937,

(1) after Part XI, the following Part shall be inserted, namely:-

“ PART XII – PERSONNEL OF AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES

93. Definitions and Interpretations – In this part unless there is anything

repugnant in the subject or context -

(1) “Air traffic” means all aircraft in flight or operating on the manoeuvring
area of an aerodrome;
(2) “Air Traffic Controller’s Licence” means a document that identifies a
person as a qualified Air Traffic Controller and contains personal, medical
and professional qualifications including details of ratings, endorsements and
current competence/validity;

(3) “Air traffic service” means a generic term meaning variously, flight
information service, alerting service, air traffic advisory service, air traffic
control service (area control service, approach control service or aerodrome
control service);

(4) “Air traffic services unit” mean a generic term meaning variously, air traffic
control unit, flight information centre or air traffic services reporting office;

(5) “Approved training” means an approved training conducted in approved

training organization that shall ensure an adequate level of personnel
competency to carry out designated tasks, including the practical integration
of acquired knowledge and skills where appropriate;

(6) “Assessment” means an evaluation based on engineering, operational

judgement and/ or analysis methods;

(7) “Endorsement” means an entry in an Air Traffic Controller’s licence

indicating the air traffic control unit and the operational positions or sectors at
which a controller may exercise the privileges of the valid rating or ratings
included in the licence;

(8) “Flight information region” means an airspace of defined dimensions

within which flight information service and alerting service are provided;

(9) “Flight information service” means a service provided for the purpose of
giving advice and information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of
flights;

(10) “On-the-Job Training” means integration in practice of previously

acquired job related qualifications and skills under the supervision of a
qualified instructor in a live traffic situation.

94. Requirement of Licence for Air Traffic Services Personnel – (1) No

person shall engage himself in the provision air traffic services in the Indian
airspace or in the airspace outside the Indian Territory for which India has, in
pursuance of international arrangements, undertaken to provide air traffic
services, unless he holds a valid licence issued under these rules:

Provided that in case of emergency, the air traffic control services may
be provided in accordance with the directions issued by the Director-General.

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(2) The air traffic services in the airspace designated for military use may be
provided by its designated authority in accordance with and subject to the
conditions specified by the Director-General.

(3) Any person already engaged in air traffic services before the
commencement of the Aircraft (..,…..Amendment) Rules, 2009 may continue
to do so till such person obtains a licence in accordance with these rules by
the date to be notified by Central Government.

95. Provision of Air Traffic Services at an aerodrome – The Director-

General may, in the interest of safety, direct an aerodrome operator to
provide air traffic services, aerodrome flight information service or a means
of two-way radio communication or any other service, as considered
appropriate.

96. Licensing Authority – (1) The authority by whom licence and ratings
specified below may be granted, renewed or varied shall be the Director-
General :-

(a) Student Air Traffic Controller’s Licence

(b) Air Traffic Controller’s Licence
(c) Aerodrome Control Rating
(d) Approach Control Procedural Rating
(e) Approach Control Surveillance Rating
(f) Area Control Procedural Rating
(g) Area Control Surveillance Rating
(h) Approach Precision Radar Control Rating
(i) Flight Information Service Rating
(j) Instructor‘s Rating

(2) Before granting such licence, the Director-General shall satisfy that the
applicant -

(a) is a fit person to act in the capacity to which the licence relates; and

(b) meets the requirement of age, qualification, medical standard,

knowledge, experience, training and skill as specified in Schedule III.

(3) Such a licence—

(a) shall, remain valid for the period indicated therein which shall not
exceed the period specified in rule104 ;

(b) may be renewed from time to time if the applicant meets the
requirement for that licnece specified in Schedule III; and

(c) shall not be valid unless the holder has signed it in ink.

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(4) Upon being satisfied that the applicant fulfills the requirement specified in
Schedule III, the Director-General may include in an Air Traffic Controller's
licence, subject to such conditions as he thinks fit, any of the ratings
specified in sub rule (1) and such rating shall be part of the licence.

(5) The Director-General may direct, the holder of a Student Air Traffic
Controller's or an Air Traffic Controller's licence, to undergo courses,
training, examinations, assessments or tests and furnish evidence in support
of the knowledge, experience, competency and skill, as deemed fit.
97. Requirement for Radio Telephony Operator’s Certificate - A
Student Air Traffic Controller’s or an Air Traffic Controller’s Licence shall be
valid when the licence holder possesses a certificate issued for operating the
radio telephony equipment in accordance with the provisions of Indian
Wireless Telephony Rules, 1954, or any specific, general authorizations
issued under said rules.
98. Requirement of rating and unit endorsement - (1) No person shall
operate an air traffic service unit which is not included as a rating in his
licence.
Provided that an air traffic controller licence holder may operate in a
particular air traffic services unit without the relevant rating for the purpose of
qualifying for endorsement of such rating on his licence:
Provided further that when doing so, he shall be under the direct
supervision of an authorized instructor rated on that particular Air Traffic
Service unit.
(2) A licence may contain rating(s) for one or more air traffic services units;

(3) The Director-General may withdraw, withhold the grant or renewal of a

licence or a rating and may cancel, suspend or vary any licence or rating if,
after giving the licence holder or rating holder an opportunity of being heard,
he is satisfied that there is reasonable ground to do so.

99. Fees and other charges- (1) The following fee shall be payable for the
issue, renewal and validation of licences and ratings or the issue of duplicate
licences and for the tests and examinations for such licences and ratings:-

(i) for tests and examination for licences and : Rs. 500/- per paper
ratings

(ii) for issue or validation of a licence for : Rs. 1,000/-

Student Air Traffic Controller’s Licence

(iii) for renewal of a for Student Air Traffic : Rs. 500/-

Controller’s Licence

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 (iv) for issue or validation of a licence or rating : Rs. 5,000/-
other than Student Air Traffic Controller’s
Licence
(v) for renewal of a licence or rating other : Rs. 2,500/-
than Student Air Traffic Controller’s
Licence
(vi) for issue of duplicate Student Air Traffic : Rs. 250/-
Controller’s Licence
(vii) for issue of duplicate licence or rating other : Rs. 500/-
than Student Air Traffic Controller’s
Licence.
(viii) for issue of duplicate result sheet of : Rs. 500/-
Examination

(2) For undertaking an assessment, the candidate shall be required to bear

all charges in respect of the such assessment, and if a Government
Examiner is associated during the assessment, a fee of Rs.5000/- shall be
payable for each assessment.

(3) The fee shall be paid by crossed Indian Postal Order or Demand Draft in
drawn in favour of “Pay and Accounts Office, Director General of Civil
Aviation, Ministry of Civil Aviation, New Delhi.”

(4) The fees for the medical examinations conducted by an approved

Medical authority shall be paid in the manner as specified by the Director-
General.

(5) When in any case the licence or rating is not issued, validated or renewed
or a duplicate licence or rating is not issued, the Central Government may
order the refund to the applicant of a proportionate part of the sum paid as
fees.

100. Maximum age limit for holding licence or rating – No person shall
exercise the privileges of his licence after he has attained the age of sixty
years.

101. Medical standards- (1) No licence or rating referred in this rule shall be
issued or renewed unless the applicant holds a medical assessment issued
by the Director General after undergoing a medical examination with an
approved medical authority and satisfies the medical standards as specified
for the purpose.:

Provided that if in the opinion of the approved medical authority, the

condition of the applicant is not such as to introduce any hazard either of

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sudden incapacity or of inability to perform his duties safely during the period
of validity of his licence or rating and failure to attain the requirement, is
capable of being compensated and the Director-General has satisfactory
evidence that the applicant has already acquired and demonstrated his
ability, skill and experience which compensate for his deficiency, the licence
or rating may be renewed or endorsed with any special limitation as deemed
fit.

Explanation- For the purposes of this sub-rule, 'approved medical authority'

means a medical authority approved by the Director-General.

(2) The Director-General may require holder of a licence to undergo a

medical examination by an approved medical authority at any time if, in his
opinion, such examination is necessary in the interest of safety of operations.

102. Maintenance of validity of ratings and endorsements — (1) The

holder of an Air Traffic Controller's Licence shall not exercise the privileges of
the licence or rating contained in the licence unless he posses a valid
medical assessment and meets the competency and recency requirements
and the rating is valid for—

(a) the air traffic services unit(s)or place at which he so acts;

(b) the sector on which or the operational position at which he so `
acts; and
(c) the surveillance equipment, if any, with which he acts.

103. Disqualification from holding or obtaining a licence—(1) Where the

Director-General is satisfied, after giving him an opportunity of being heard,
that any person –

(a) is habitually intemperate in the use of alcohol, or is addict of

narcotics, drugs and the like, or
(b) is performing, has performed or is about to perform in an air traffic
service unit in the commission of a cognizable offence or in
contravention of these rules, or
(c) has, by his previous conduct as Air Traffic Controller, shown that
he is irresponsible in the discharge of his duties connected with
his employment or is likely to endanger the safety of the aircraft or
any person, in the air or on ground.
(d) is a habitual criminal or has been convicted by a court in India for
an offence involving moral turpitude or an offence which amounts
to heinous crime, or

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 (e) has obtained the licence, rating, extension of rating or renewal of
any of them, by suppression of material information or on basis of
wrong information, or
(f) has unauthorisedly varied or tampered with the particulars entered
in a licence or rating or any other relevant document.

The Director-General may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, make an

order disqualifying that person for a specified period from holding licence,
rating or obtaining a licence.

(2) The Central Government may debar a person permanently or

temporarily from holding any licence mentioned in this part if in its opinion it
is necessary to do so in the public interest.

(3) Upon the issue of any order under sub-rule (1) or sub-rule (2), the
person affected, if he is the holder of a licence, shall forthwith surrender his
licence to the licensing authority, if the licence has not already been
surrendered. The licensing authority shall keep the licence until the expiry of
the period for which the person has been disqualified or debarred, or if he
has been debarred permanently, for a period of five years.

104. Period of validity of licences and medical assessment— The

period of validity of medical assessment and licence in respect of various
categories of licences shall be as specified below , namely:-

Category of Licence Validity of licence Validity of medical

assessment
(i) Student Air Traffic Three years Twenty four
Controller’s Licence months

(ii)Air Traffic Controller’s Two years Twenty four

Licence months

Note : The period of validity of medical fitness specified above shall be

reduced to 12 months after the holder of the licence has attained the age of
forty years.

105. Use of radio call signs of ATS units — A licence holder using two-
way radio communication shall not ouse or cause or permit to be used any
call sign for a purpose other than a purpose for which that call sign has been
notified.

106. Licence holders obligation to notify ceasure, validity and change

of unit — (1) Subject to sub rule (2), when a rating ceases to be valid for a
unit or operational position, the holder of the licence shall forthwith inform the

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person in-charge of the air traffic service of that place and shall not work in
that position till such rating is revalidated.

(2) When a rating ceases to be valid for a unit or operational position and is
not valid for any other unit or operational position the holder shall notify the
licensing authority and forward the licence for the purpose of revalidation
after following the procedure laid down for revalidation.

(3) Whenever a person ceases to act as an air traffic controller at a particular

unit, he may keep his licence and rating current in accordance with the
recency requirement specified in this regard by the Director General.

107. Decrease in medical fitness — (1) The holder of a licence shall not
exercise the privileges of his licence and ratings during any period when he is
aware that his physical condition has deteriorated or medical fitness has
decreased below the standard required for that category of licence.

(2) The holder of a licence shall not exercise the privileges of his licence
without being declared fit after a fresh medical examination in the event of his
having-

(a) confirmed pregnancy, sickness or injury involving incapacity for a

period of more than twenty days; or

(b) an injury sustained in any accident occurring during the exercise of

the privileges of his licence or otherwise and which is likely to
cause incapacity or impair his efficiency in the discharge of his
duties.

(3) The licence holder or his employer shall immediately notify all the
relevant details of the sickness or injury to the Director-General.

(4) The licence of a person disqualified under sub-rule (2) shall be deemed to
be invalid until the holder passes a fresh medical examination.

108. Renewal of expired licence -- If, on the date of application for

renewal, the licence has expired for the periods specified below, the
applicant may be required to qualify the examinations and skill tests specified
therein and such other examinations and tests as the Director-General may
consider necessary to assess the applicant's competency to hold that
licence.

(a) For a period not Assessment required for

exceeding 1 year renewal of licence and ratings.

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 (b) For a period exceeding 1 year To pass written examination
but not exceeding 3 years. required for issue of a rating and
half of on the job training period
specified for issue of rating,
followed by assessment by
examiner or board.

c) For a period exceeding 3 years. All examinations and tests

required for the issue of the
licence and rating:

Provided that the Director-General may, before the renewal of a

licence may require an applicant to satisfy all or any of the requirements, as
required for the issue of licence or rating of the same class, if, in the opinion
of the Director-General, the competency of the applicant is below the
standard required for the licence or rating:

Provided further that when renewing a licence or a rating, the Director-

General may delete any type of rating entered in the licence, if he is satisfied
that the holder of the licence does not have reasonable experience or does
not possess the required standard of competency for such rating.

109. Approved training organization — (1) The Director General, on being

satisfied, may approve a training organization for conducting approved
training course required to attain level of competency for obtaining a Student
Air Traffic Controller’s or Air Traffic Controller’s Licence.

(2) The training organization shall submit a Training and Procedures Manual
containing the information as specified by the Director General for approval.
The simulator training, in such organizations shall be undertaken only on the
simulators approved by the Director–General.

(3) Approval of a training organization shall be valid for a period of two

years, which is further renewable for a period of not exceeding two years on
each occasion, subject to the terms and conditions as laid down by the
Director-General in this regard.

(4) A fee of Rs. 100,000/- shall be payable for the grant of approval to a
training organization and Rs. 50,000/- for renewal on each occasion.

(5) The approved training organization shall not impart any training which is
not included in its scope and has been duly approved by the Director-
General. All records of the orgnisation shall be maintained in a manner
specified by the Director General and shall be produced on demand to the
Director-General or any other officer so authorized by him.

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(6) A training organization, approved by a duly competent authority of any
contracting state, may also be approved for the purpose of imparting training
to attain level of competency for obtaining a Student Air Traffic Controller’s or
Air Traffic Controller’s Licence under these rules, provided that the Director
General is satisfied about the competency, syllabus and other facilities of the
organization.

110. Proof of competency—(1) Applicants for grant and renewal of any

licence and ratings shall produce proof of having acquired the competency
and having passed satisfactorily the tests and examinations specified in
schedule III in respect of the licence or rating.

(2) A person, to whom a licence of a particular class has been issued by the
competent authority in a Contracting State, may be exempted by the
Director-General from all or any of the tests or examinations required for
issue of a licence if his experience and competency are not less than the
experience and competency laid down in schedule III in respect of the
corresponding licence under these rules. If he is the holder of a current
licence, he may be further exempted from medical examination for the period
for which his licence is current:

(3) In case of a licence issued under any of the preceding provisions, only
such ratings shall be entered in the licence as, in the opinion of the Director-
General the applicant has sufficient and satisfactory experience and
competency to acquire.

(4) The Director-General may, on examination of the syllabi, determine the

relative equivalence of examinations for granting exemptions to applicants
from passing the examinations required under schedule III.

(5) The Director-General may require any candidate or training organization

to produce for examination all relevant training records, including the syllabi,
certificates, mark-sheets, on-the-job test reports, assessments, etc., in
respect of the candidate who has undergone a course of training, with such
training establishment.

111. Tests, assessment and examination--(1) The Director-General may

conduct examinations specified in schedule III, may fix examination centres
within India, appoint invigilators and lay down the procedure for conducting
the examinations.

(2) The Director-General may appoint examiners for carrying out

examinations and Assessment required under schedule II and may also
appoint a Board to conduct oral examinations and assessment when
necessary. The examiner shall be selected on the basis of criteria specified
for the purpose by the Director General. The examination and assessment
reports shall be submitted to licensing authority in respect of any examination

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and assessment conducted for issue/renew of a licence or endorsement of
rating on a licence.

(3) The Director-General may determine the manner in which the

assessment and proficiency checks shall be carried out.

(4) The Director-General may debar permanently or temporarily a person

from any assessment or examination if, in his opinion, the person has
adopted unfair means during the assessment or examination.

(5) The Director-General may declare any examination or assessment

conducted by an authorized person or a Board null and void, if in the opinion
of the Director-General, the examination or assessment has not been carried
out to his satisfaction, and require the examination or assessment to be
carried out again by another authorized person or a Board. The Director-
General may also take such action against such authorized persons or Board
as he may deem fit.

(6) Detailed syllabi for the examinations for the issue of licence and ratings
shall be laid down by the Director-General.

112. Record of experience and logging of on-watch period - (1) Holder of

a licence shall maintain a personal log book in the form prescribed by the
Director-General and log the actual watch period during which air traffic
services has been provided by him.

(2) All entries in log books shall be made in ink.

(3) Log Books shall be preserved for not less than 5 years after the date
of the last entry therein.

(4) Every licence holder shall certify the accuracy of the entries in his log
book with respect to the watch period at least at the end of each calendar
month. At the end of every quarter in a year, log books shall be certified for
correctness of entries therein by the in charge of the Air Traffic Services unit,
or any other person authorised to do so by the Director-General.

(5) On the watch time during which a licence holder is under on the job
training shall be entered in his log book as “on the job training” and the
instructor shall also countersign the entries in the log book of the licence
holder showing the nature of the training given.

(6) The instructor shall log as watch period during which he acts as an
Instructor and the log entries shall indicate in the remarks column that the
time was logged for instructional purpose.

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 113. Duty time limitations— Every holder of a licence or rating issued
under this Part shall follow the duty time limitations as specified by the
Director- General.

114. Aeronautical station operator— Every aeronautical station operator

forming a part of Flight Information Service in a Flight Information Region,
shall operate in accordance with the requirement specified by the Director–
General.

115. Validation of foreign licences—(1) When a licence has been granted

by a duly competent authority in any Contracting State and is for the time
being in force, the Director-General may, subject to such conditions and
limitations and for such periods as it shall think fit, confer on such licence the
same validity for the purpose of provision of air traffic service in India as if it
had been granted under these rules.

(2) The validity of the authorization shall not extend beyond the period of
validity of the licence and the authorization ceases to be valid if the licence
upon which it was issued is revoked or suspended.

(3) The licence validated under sub rule (1) shall be subject to the provision
of rule 19 of these rules. “

(2) after Schedule II, the following schedule shall be inserted, namely :-

“ SCHDULE III

AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES PERSONNEL

(See Part XII)

SECTION A

GENERAL

1. Security Clearance: The training organization at the time of enrolling a person

for undergoing the air traffic control training shall obtain the security clearance
from the concerned security agencies as per applicable rules. Proof of security
clearance shall be submitted to the licensing authority at the time of application
for issue of Licence.

2. Written Examination: (a) The applicant for a student Air Traffic Control
Licence or Air Traffic Control Licence shall be required to pass an examination
conducted by Director-General or any organization so authorized in this regard.

(b) The candidate shall, on demand by the examiner shall furnish proof of
identity before a test or examination.

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 (c) An applicant who fails in any subject specified in this Schedule shall not be
permitted to appear for re-examination within a period of six weeks from the
date of examination or such lesser period as may be specified by the Director-
General.

3. Validity of Examination : (a) The examination for the issue of Licence and
rating should have been completed within a period of three years immediately
preceding the date of application for issue of Licence.

(b) In case the examinations and /or tests expire on a holiday, they shall be
deemed to be valid till the next working day.

4. Medical Examination: An applicant shall hold at least Class III Medical

Assessment, issued by the competent Medical authority designated by the
Director General for the purpose.

5. On the Job Training Requirement: A student Air Traffic Controller and Air
Traffic Controller licence holder shall be required to undergo On the Job
training under an authorized instructor for a period specified in the schedule for
the particular rating.

Provided, a lesser on the job training period may be approved by licensing

authority based on the traffic volume if the air traffic unit for which the rating is
being sought, experience of the licence holder or where the licensing authority
has been satisfied for granting such relaxation. In such cases the approval has
to be obtained from the licensing authority prior to the commencement of the
training.

6. Assessment by the Examiner or Board: A student Air Traffic Controller and

Air Traffic Controller licence holder shall be required to be assessed
(examined) by an examiner for the particular unit or by a board constituted for
the purpose by the licensing authority.

7. Applications for a licence or a rating — following documents have to be

submitted by the applicant for issue of licence;

(a) Applications for issue/validation of a licence and/or a rating shall be made to

the Director-General of Civil Aviation, New Delhi and for
renewal/revalidation of a licence and/or a rating shall be made either to the
Director-General of civil Aviation, New Delhi on a prescribed form.
(b) Licence and Ratings specified in this Schedule shall be issued in the name
as entered in the Class X Certificate of a recognized Board or its
equivalent.
(c) Application for the issue of a licence and/or rating shall be accompanied by
:-

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 (i) an assessment of medical fitness issued by the Medical Authority;
(ii) Three unmounted photographs, of size 3 cms X 4 cms, of the
applicant’s head (uncovered) and shoulders in front view;
(iii) Class Ten Certificate of a recognized Board or its equivalent or the
Birth Certificate issued by a Municipal Corporation/Committee as proof
of age;
(iv) A bank draft towards the payment of the prescribed fee as per rule
99;
(v) Any other information as required by the Director-General.
(d) The date of application shall be the date of receipt of application in the
office of the Director-General.

8. Renewal of a licence : A valid ATC licence shall be renewed subject to

fulfilling following requirement;

(a) the applicant is having the recency experience requirement.

(b) the applicant is holding a valid medical requirement.
(c) the applicant holds at least one valid rating endorsed on the licence.

9. Application for renewal of licence: Following documents shall be submitted

by the applicant for renewal of licence;

(a) Applications for renewal of a licence and/or a rating shall be made to the
Director-General of Civil Aviation, New Delhi or to any other authority
designated by him in this behalf on a prescribed form.

(b) Application for the renewal of a licence and/or rating shall be accompanied
by: -
(i) An assessment of medical fitness issued by the Medical Authority;
(ii) Statement/certificate of the recency requirement issued by the instructor
or any authority on his behalf.
(iii) A bank draft towards the payment of the prescribed fee, payable in the
manner prescribed by the Director-General.
(iv) Any other information as required by the Director-General.

(d) The date of application shall be the date of receipt of application in the office
of the Director-General.

10. Privileges- No person holding a current Air Traffic Control licence shall
exercise the privileges of his licence and rating subject to the provision of rule
24 (3) & (4) and unless he meets competency, recency and language
proficiency requirement and medical standards.

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 11. Recency Requirement: A licence holder is considered to be recent in respect
of rating and endorsement on his licence if he has worked for a period of
minimum 10 hours in a period of 3 days or more in respect of a particular unit
during preceding six months.

12. Temporary Authorization - In case an ATCO is to be deployed at a different

airport at a short notice for a short period of time and he/she already holds the
basic rating for another airport, he/she may be authorized to exercise the
privileges of his rating subject to an assessment by an incumbent ATCO and or
any other condition as specified by the licensing authority. Such authorization
shall be made applicable to Air traffic services units at small airport as
considered appropriate by the licensing authority.

13. Unit Training Plan - Every Air Traffic services unit shall prepare a Unit
Training Plan, detailing the syllabus, on the job training, examination and
procedures, to meet the requirement contained for rating(s) as prescribed in
this schedule and submit to the licensing authority for approval.

SECTION B
STUDENT AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER LICENCE
An applicant for a Student Air Traffic Controller licence shall satisfy the
following requirements:
a) Age : Applicant shall not be less than 18 years of age on the date of
application.
b) Education Qualification: The applicant shall have passed degree in
sciences or an equivalent examination with Physics and Mathematics, from a
recognized University.

c) Medical Fitness: The applicant shall produce on a prescribed proforma a

certificate of class III physical fitness from an approved Medical Board after
undergoing a medical examination during which he shall have established
his medical fitness.

d) Language Proficiency: An applicant shall be capable of speaking, reading

and understanding the English Language. The applicant shall demonstrate
compliance with holistic descriptors as defined in ICAO Operational Level 4
of the ICAO Language Proficiency Rating Scale as given in ICAO Annex I.

e) Knowledge: The applicant shall have demonstrated a level of

knowledge appropriate to the holder of a Student Air Traffic Controller
Licence, in the following subjects:
i) Air Law: Rules and Regulations relevant to the Air Traffic Controller

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 ii) Air Traffic Control Equipment: Principles use and limitations of
equipment used in Air Traffic Control.
iii) General Knowledge : Principles of light, Principles of Operations and
functioning of aircraft, power plants and systems, aircraft performances
relevant to Air Traffic Control operations.
iv) Human Performance: Human Performance relevant to Air Traffic
Control
v) Meteorology, Aeronautical Meteorology, use and appreciation of
Meteorological Documentation and Information, origin and
characteristic of weather phenomena affecting flight operations and
safety, altimetry.
vi) Navigation: Principles of Air Navigation, Principle Limitation and
Accuracy of Navigation Systems and Visual Aids.
vii) Operational Procedures: Air Traffic Control, Communication, Radio
Telephony and Phraseology Procedure (Routine, Non-route and
emergency), use of relevant aeronautical documentation, safety
practices associated with flight.

f) Experience: (i) The applicant shall have completed and passed an approved
training course in the subject mentioned in Para e) including simulator training
from an approved training organization and pass the relevant examination.
(ii) have successfully completed an approved course of initial training in the
rating or discipline relating to any of the rating from an approved organization.

g) Validity: The Student Air Traffic Control Licence shall have a validity of 36
months from the date of issue.

h) Renewal of licence: A Student Air Traffic Controller licence shall be renewed

for further period of three years only, subject to the condition that;

i. holding of a valid medical assessment;

ii. his training at an ATS system unit has commenced;
iii. In other cases the renewal would be in accordance with renewal
requirements specified in rule 108 and having met the examination
and tests indicated therein.

i) Privileges: Subject to the validity of licence and compliance a Student Air

Traffic Controller’s Licence holder may operate a particular ATS system/unit,
for the purpose of qualifying for inclusion of such rating / endorsement on his
licence under the direct supervision of an authorized instructor rated on that
particular ATS unit.

SECTION C
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER LICENCE

16
 An applicant for a Air Traffic Controller licence shall satisfy the following
requirements:

a) Age : Applicant shall not be less than 21 years of age on the date of
application.
b) Education Qualification: The applicant shall have passed degree in
sciences or an equivalent examination with Physics and Mathematics, from a
recognized University.

c) Medical Fitness: The applicant shall produce on a prescribed proforma a

certificate of class III physical fitness from an approved Medical Board after
undergoing a medical examination during which he shall have established
his medical fitness.

d) Language Proficiency: An applicant shall be capable of speaking, reading

and understanding the English Language. The applicant shall demonstrate
compliance with holistic descriptors as defined in ICAO Operational Level 4
of the ICAO Language Proficiency Rating Scale as given in ICAO Annex I.
e) Knowledge:
i. As applicable for Student ATCO licence defined in para e) of Section
B.
ii. Successfully passed the examination as per the syllabus prescribed in
the following sections for a particular unit at a place.

f) Experience:
i. The applicant shall have undergone on the job training under an
authorised instructor for a period prescribed in following sections
respect of the unit desired to be endorsed on licence.
ii. The applicant shall have been assessed as successful by an examiner
or board for the said unit.
g) Validity: The Air Traffic Control Licence shall have a validity period of 24
months from the date of issue.
h) Renewal of licence: Air Traffic Controller licence shall be renewed subject to
holding of a valid medical assessment and recency requirement.
i) Privileges: Subject to the validity of licence and compliance an Air Traffic
Controller’s Licence holder may operate a particular ATS system/unit which is
included in his licence as rating, for the purpose of providing Air Traffic
Controller Service.

SECTION D

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER RATINGS- Aerodrome Control Rating

17
Requirements for Aerodrome control Rating:

a) Knowledge:

The applicant shall have demonstrated a level of knowledge by passing the

examination at least in the following subjects for Aerodrome Control Tower at
a particular place :

i) Aerodrome lay out, physical characteristics and visual aids,

ii) Airspace structure,
iii) Applicable Rules, Procedures and Source of Information,
iv) Air Navigation facilities,
v) Air Traffic Control Equipment and its use,
vi) Terrain and Prominent Land marks,
vii) Characteristics of air traffic,
viii) Weather phenomena,
ix) Emergency, Search and Rescue Plans and
x) Any other subject considered appropriate for the particular
place.

b) Experience:

The applicant shall produce a certificate of his having undergone on the job
training under the supervision of an instructor or authorised Air Traffic
Controller licence holder for a period of not less than 90 Hours or one month.

On the job training specified above shall have been completed within the six
month period immediately preceding date of application for issue of rating.

c) Skill:

The applicant has been assessed successful regarding his skill, judgment
and performance to provide a safe, orderly and expeditious control service.
The assessment has to be conducted after the completion of on the job
training requirement and not later than two months in any case.

d) Privileges of the holder of Aerodrome Control Rating and the

conditions to be observed in exercising such privileges:

i) To provide or to supervise the provision of Aerodrome Control Service for

the aerodrome for which the licence holder is rated.

ii) Before exercising the privileges indicated in Para-(i) above, the licence
holder shall be familiar with all pertinent and current information.

iii) Undergone refresher training or proficiency check requirement as

18
 prescribed by the licensing authority in this regard.

e) Validity of Rating:

The rating shall become invalid when an air traffic controller has ceased to
exercise the privileges of the rating for a period exceeding six months.

f) Revalidation of Rating :

A rating shall be revalidated when the controller’s ability to exercise the

privileges of the rating has been re-established by an examiner, or an ATCO
authorised to do so, or by a board constituted by the licensing authority.

SECTION E

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER RATINGS- Approach Control Procedural Rating

Requirements for Approach Control Procedural Rating:

a) Knowledge:

The applicant shall have demonstrated a level of knowledge by passing the

examination at least in the following subjects for Approach Control unit at a
particular place :

i) Airspace structure,
ii) Applicable Rules, Procedures and Source of Information
iii) Air Navigation Facilities
iv) Air Traffic Control Equipment and its use
v) Terrain and Prominent Land Marks
vi) Characteristics of Air Traffic and Traffic Flow
vii) Weather phenomena,
viii) Emergency and Search and Rescue Plans, and
ix) Any other subject considered appropriate for the particular
place.

b) Experience:

The applicant shall produce a certificate of his having undergone on the job
training under the supervision of an instructor or authorised Air Traffic
Controller licence holder for a period of not less than 180 Hours or three
months, whichever is greater, at the unit for which the rating is sought.

On the job training specified above shall have been completed within the six
month period immediately preceding date of application for issue of rating.

19
 c) Skill:

The applicant shall have assessed successful regarding his skill, judgment
and performance to provide a safe, orderly and expeditious control service.
The assessment has to be conducted after the completion of on the job
training requirement and not later than three months in any case.

d) Privileges of the holder of Approach Control Procedural Rating and the

conditions to be observed in exercising such privileges:

i) To provide or to supervise the provision of Approach Control Service

within the airspace jurisdiction of the unit for which the licence holder is
rated,
ii) Before exercising the privileges indicated in Para-(i) above, the
licence holder shall be familiar with all pertinent and current
information.

iii) Undergone refresher training or proficiency check requirement as

prescribed by the licensing authority in this regard.

e) Validity of Rating:

The rating shall become invalid when an air traffic controller has ceased to
exercise the privileges of the rating for a period exceeding six months.

f) Revalidation of Rating :

A rating shall be revalidated when the controller’s ability to exercise the

privileges of the rating has been re-established by an examiner or an ATCO
authorized to do so or by a board constituted by the licensing authority.

SECTION F

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER RATINGS – Approach Control Surveillance

Rating

Requirements for Approach Control Surveillance Rating:

a) Knowledge:

The applicant shall have demonstrated a level of knowledge appropriate to

the privileges granted in at least the following subjects in so far as they affect
the area of responsibility at a particular place :

i) Airspace structure
ii) Applicable Rules, Procedures and Source of Information

20
 iii) Air Navigation Facilities
iv) Air Traffic Control Equipment and its use
v) Terrain and Prominent Land Marks
vi) Characteristics of Air Traffic and Traffic Flow
vii) Weather phenomena,
viii) Emergency and Search and Rescue Plans
ix) Principles, use and limitations of applicable ATS Surveillance
Systems and Associated equipment,
viii) Procedures for the provision of ATS Surveillance Service, as
appropriate, including procedures to ensure appropriate terrain
clearance, and
ix) Any other subject considered appropriate for the particular
place.

b) Experience

The applicant shall produce documentary proof of his

i. Satisfactory completed an approved training course.

ii. a certificate of his having undergone on the job training under the
supervision of an instructor or authorised Air Traffic Controller licence
holder for a period of not less than 180 Hours or three months,
whichever is greater, at the unit for which the rating is sought. The
training shall include;

a. not less than 200 precision approaches of which not more than 100
shall have been carried out on a radar simulator approved for that
purpose by the Licensing Authority.
b. Not less than 50 of those precision approaches shall have been
carried out at the unit and on the equipment for which the rating is
sought;

iii) if the privileges of the approach radar control rating include

surveillance radar approach duties, on the job training shall included
not less than 25 plan position indicator approaches on the surveillance
equipment of the type in use at the unit for which the rating is sought.

The assessment has to be conducted after the completion of on the

job training requirement and not later than three months in any case.

On the job training specified in Para (ii) and (iii) above shall have been
completed within the six month period immediately preceding date of
application for issue of rating.

c) Skill:

21
 The applicant shall have assessed successful regarding his skill, judgment
and performance to provide a safe, orderly and expeditious control service.
The assessment has to be conducted after the completion of on the job
training requirement and not later than three months in any case.

d) Privileges of the holder of Approach Control Surveillance Rating and

the conditions to be observed in exercising such privileges.

i) To provide or to supervise the provision of Approach Control Service

with the use of applicable ATS surveillance systems for the unit for which
the licence holder is rated, within the airspace or portion thereof, under the
jurisdiction of the unit providing Approach Control Service.

ii) Before exercising the privileges indicated in Para-(i) above, the licence
holder shall be familiar with all pertinent and current information.

iii) Undergone refresher training or proficiency check requirement as

prescribed by the licensing authority in this regard.

e) Validity of Rating:

The rating shall become invalid when an air traffic controller has ceased to
exercise the privileges of the rating for a period exceeding six months.

f) Revalidation of Rating :

A rating shall be revalidated when the controller’s ability to exercise the

privileges of the rating has been re-established by an examiner or an ATCO
authorised to do so or by a board constituted by the licensing authority

SECTION G

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER RATINGS- Area Control Procedural Rating

Requirements for Area Control Procedural Rating:

a) Knowledge:

The applicant shall have demonstrated a level of knowledge by passing the

examination at least in the following subjects for an Area Control Unit in so
far as they affect the area of responsibility:

i) Airspace structure,
ii) Applicable Rules, Procedures and Source of Information,
iii) Air Navigation Facilities,
iv) Air Traffic Control Equipment and its use,

22
 v) Terrain and Prominent Land Marks,
vi) Characteristics of Air Traffic and Traffic Flow,
vii) Weather phenomena,
x) Emergency and Search and Rescue Plans and
xi) Any other subject considered appropriate for the particular
place.

b) Experience:

The applicant shall have undergone on the job training under the supervision
of an instructor or authorised Air Traffic Controller licence holder for a period
of not less than 180 Hours or three months, whichever is greater, at the unit
for which the rating is sought.

On the job training specified above shall have been completed within the six
month period immediately preceding date of application for issue of rating.

c) Skill:

The applicant shall have been assessed successful regarding his skill,
judgment and performance to provide a safe, orderly and expeditious control
service. The assessment has to be conducted after the completion of on the
job training requirement and not later than three months in any case.

d) Privileges of the holder of Area Control Procedural Rating and the

conditions to be observed in exercising such privileges:

i) To provide and /or to supervise the provision of Area Control Service within
the airspace jurisdiction of control area or portion thereof for which the
licence holder is rated.

ii) Before exercising the privileges indicated in Para-(i) above, the licence
holder shall be familiar with all pertinent and current information.

iii) Undergone refresher training or proficiency check requirement as

prescribed by the licensing authority in this regard.

e) Validity of Rating:

The rating shall become invalid when an air traffic controller has ceased to
exercise the privileges of the rating for a period exceeding six months.

f) Revalidation of Rating :

A rating shall be revalidated when the controller’s ability to exercise the

privileges of the rating has been re-established by an examiner or an ATCO
authorised to do so or by a board constituted by the licensing authority

23
 SECTION H

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER RATINGS – Area Control surveillance rating

Requirements for Area Control Surveillance Rating:

a) Knowledge:

The applicant shall have demonstrated a level of knowledge appropriate to

the privileges granted in at least the following subjects in so far as they affect
the area of responsibility:

i) Airspace structure
ii) Applicable Rules, Procedures and Source of Information
iii) Air Navigation Facilities
iv) Air Traffic Control Equipment and its use
v) Terrain and Prominent Land Marks
vi) Characteristics of Air Traffic and Traffic Flow
vii) Weather phenomena,
viii) Emergency and Search and Rescue Plans
ix) Principles, use and limitations of applicable ATS Surveillance
Systems and Associated equipment,
x) Procedures for the provision of ATS Surveillance Service, as
appropriate, including procedures to ensure appropriate terrain
clearance, and
xi) Any other subject considered appropriate for the particular
place.

b) Experience

The applicant shall produce documentary proof of his

i. Satisfactory completed an approved training course.

ii. a certificate of his having undergone on the job training under the
supervision of an instructor or authorised Air Traffic Controller licence
holder for a period of not less than 180 Hours or three months,
whichever is greater, at the unit for which the rating is sought.

The assessment has to be conducted after the completion of on the

job training requirement and not later than three months in any case.

On the job training specified in Para (ii) above shall have been
completed within the six month period immediately preceding date of
application for issue of rating.

24
 c) Skill:

The applicant shall have assessed successful regarding his skill, judgment
and performance to provide a safe, orderly and expeditious control service.
The assessment has to be conducted after the completion of on the job
training requirement and not later than three months in any case.

d) Privileges of the holder of Area Control Surveillance Rating and the

conditions to be observed in exercising such privileges.

i) To provide or to supervise the provision of Area Control Service with

the use of applicable ATS surveillance systems, within the control area or
portion thereof, for which the licence holder is rated.

ii) Before exercising the privileges indicated in Para-(i) above, the licence
holder shall be familiar with all pertinent and current information.

e) Validity of Rating:

The rating shall become invalid when an air traffic controller has ceased to
exercise the privileges of the rating for a period exceeding six months

f) Revalidation of Rating:

A rating shall be revalidated when the controller’s ability to exercise the

privileges of the rating has been re-established by an examiner or an ATCO
authorised to do so or by a board constituted by the licensing authority

SECTION I

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER RATINGS – Approach Precision Radar Control

Rating

Requirements for Approach Precision Radar Control Rating:

a) Knowledge:

The applicant shall have demonstrated a level of knowledge appropriate to

the privileges granted in at least the following subjects in so far as they affect
the area of responsibility:

i) Airspace structure
ii) Applicable Rules, Procedures and Source of Information
iii) Air Navigation Facilities
iv) Air Traffic Control Equipment and its use

25
 v) Terrain and Prominent Land Marks
vi) Characteristics of Air Traffic and Traffic Flow
vii) Weather phenomena and
viii) Emergency and Search and Rescue Plans
ix) Principles, use and limitations of applicable ATS Surveillance
Systems and Associated equipment and
x) Procedures for the provision of ATS Surveillance Service, as
appropriate, including procedures to ensure appropriate terrain
clearance

b) Experience

The applicant shall produce documentary proof of his

i). Satisfactory completed an approved training course.

ii) a certificate of his having undergone on the job training under the
supervision of an instructor or authorised Air Traffic Controller licence
holder for a period of not less than 180 Hours or three months,
whichever is greater, at the unit for which the rating is sought. The
training shall include;

a. not less than 200 precision approaches of which not more than 100
shall have been carried out on a radar simulator approved for that
purpose by the Licensing Authority.
b. Not less than 50 of those precision approaches shall have been
carried out at the unit and on the equipment for which the rating is
sought;

iii) On the job training shall also include not less than 25 plan position
indicator approaches on the surveillance equipment of the type in use
at the unit for which the rating is sought.

The assessment has to be conducted after the completion of on the

job training requirement and not later than three months in any case.

On the job training specified in Para (ii) and (iii) above shall have been
completed within the six month period immediately preceding date of
application for issue of rating.

c) Skill:

The applicant shall have assessed successful regarding his skill, judgment
and performance to provide a safe, orderly and expeditious control service.
The assessment has to be conducted after the completion of on the job
training requirement and not later than three months in any case.

26
d) Privileges of the holder of Approach precision radar Control Rating and
the conditions to be observed in exercising such privileges.

i) To provide and/or to supervise the provision of Approach Precision

radar Control Service at the aerodrome for which the licence holder is
rated.

ii) Before exercising the privileges indicated in Para (i) above, the licence
holder shall be familiar with all pertinent and current information.

e) Validity of Rating:

The rating shall become invalid when an air traffic controller has ceased to
exercise the privileges of the rating for a period exceeding six months.

f) Revalidation of Rating:

A rating shall be revalidated when the controller’s ability to exercise the

privileges of the rating has been re-established by an examiner or an ATCO
authorised to do so or by a board constituted by the licensing authority

SECTION J

FLIGHT INFORMATION SERVICE RATING

Requirements for Flight Information service Rating:

a) Knowledge:

The applicant shall have demonstrated a level of knowledge by passing the

examination at least in the following subjects for an Flight Information Region
in so far as they affect the area of responsibility:

i) Airspace structure,
ii) Applicable Rules, Procedures and Source of Information,
iii) Air Navigation Facilities,
iv) Air Traffic Control Equipment and its use,
v) Terrain and Prominent Land Marks,
vi) Characteristics of Air Traffic and Traffic Flow,
vii) Weather phenomena,
xii) Emergency and Search and Rescue Plans and
xiii) Any other subject considered appropriate for the particular
place.

b) Experience:

27
 The applicant shall have undergone on the job training under the supervision
of an instructor or authorised Air Traffic Controller licence holder for a period
of not less than 180 Hours or three months, whichever is greater, at the unit
for which the rating is sought.

On the job training specified above shall have been completed within
the six month period immediately preceding date of application for issue of
rating.

c) Skill:

The applicant shall have been assessed successful regarding his skill,
judgment and performance to provide a safe, orderly and expeditious control
service. The assessment has to be conducted after the completion of on the
job training requirement and not later than three months in any case.

d) Privileges of the holder of Area Control Procedural Rating and the

conditions to be observed in exercising such privileges:

i) To provide and /or to supervise the provision of Flight Information Service

within the airspace jurisdiction of Flight Information region or portion thereof
for which the licence holder is rated.

ii) Before exercising the privileges indicated in Para-(i) above, the licence
holder shall be familiar with all pertinent and current information.

iii) Undergone refresher training or proficiency check requirement as

prescribed by the licensing authority in this regard.

e) Validity of Rating:

The rating shall become invalid when an air traffic controller has ceased to
exercise the privileges of the rating for a period exceeding six months.

f) Revalidation of Rating :

A rating shall be revalidated when the controller’s ability to exercise the

privileges of the rating has been re-established by an examiner or an ATCO
authorised to do so or by a board constituted by the licensing authority

SECTION K

ON THE JOB TRAINING INSTRUCTOR RATING

Requirements for on the job instructor rating:

28
a) Knowledge & experience :

i) Should hold a valid Air traffic controller licence.

ii) For OJTI (procedural) the applicant shall have all the current procedural
ratings of the aerodrome, and shall have at least two years experience in
exercising the privileges of those ratings.

iii) For OJTI (Radar) the applicant shall have all current Radar ratings and
ratings of the aerodrome, and shall have at least five years total experience
in exercising the privileges of those ratings.

iv) Has not found lacking in proficiency during the proficiency assessment in
the preceding two years.

v) Shall have an incident free ATC performance record during the preceding
three years.

vi) suitable temperament and above the board conduct.

b) Skill :

The applicant shall have been assessed successful shall have undergone
the training course on the instructional procedures and techniques as
prescribed by the licensing authority.

c) Validity:

On the job training instructor rating shall be valid for a period of two years
subject to the holders periodic proficiency assessment prescribed by
licensing authority.

d) Privileges :

i) To impart on the job training to an air traffic services licnece holders for the
inclusion of the rating on licence.
ii) Assess the personnel imparted on the job training during or on completion
of specified period for his preparedness to appear in examination/
assessment for issue, renewal or revalidation of rating.
iii) supervise the air traffic services personnel for regaining recency.“
[ F. No. ]

( )
Joint Secretary to the Government of India

29
Note.- 1. The principal rules were published in the Official Gazette vide
notification number V-26 dated the 23rd March, 1937 and last amended
by G.S.R. 254(E) dated 16th April, 2009 published in Part II, Section 3,
Sub-section(i) of the Gazette of India on 16th April, 2009.
-x-x-

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