ICAO Document Question

[Catwalker]

Greetings,

Just a short question - I'm pretty sure that, in the past, I read some guidance in an ICAO document that specified that the ATS log was to be maintained in a bound ledger with numbered pages. Now that I'm searching for that reference, I can't find it.

I've read what Doc 9426 (the Air Traffic Services Planning Manual) has to say about ATS log maintenance, but the reference that I thought I remembered (about being maintained in a bound ledger) isn't there.

If this reference does exist, can anyone help me out by telling me where it is?

Thanks in advance.

Catwalker

[jovica]

In ICAO Annex 1, personal log book could only be found when it comes to "Maintenance of competency" for the flight crew member.
The only log book I know of, for ATC staff, is training log, but I gess it is not what you meant. Sorry
J.

[Catwalker]

Jovica,

No reason to be sorry - thanks for looking for me anyway.

I'm starting to think that perhaps the reference that I was sure I had seen really doesn't exist, but I just can't for the life of me imagine why the memory of seeing it is still so strong. Maybe I'm just getting old . . .

Or perhaps it was a country-specific reference?

Catwalker

[Spitoon]

Used to say that in the UK docs - but it changed a few years ago to permit electronic logs.

[Catwalker]

That answers my question - thanks to all!

I do wonder, however, why the change to allow electronic record-keeping was allowed. As I understood the reason "back then," the hand-written bound volume was required because it precluded the possibility of an official record being altered after the fact, something that electronic record-keeping doesn't preclude - or have steps been taken to guard against this?

In any event, thanks again to all.

Catwalker

[Goldfish Jack]

As the log book is a legal document it is required to be properly bound and pages are numbered accordingly.

Your local CAA regulations should tell you how long they should be kept'

As to electronic documents, they should have some sort of "blocking devince" contained within them to prevent any manipulation of past entries. It should be a live document, ie any entry made will automatically include the time and any amendment required to be made to a previous entry will require the person to enter a password to edit the document.

[Spitoon]

Here's what the UK requirements are now (out of MATS Part 1)

9 ATC Watch Log

9.1 An ATC Watch Log detailing significant events and operational information of note to controllers and unit management shall be maintained by each air traffic control unit.

9.2 Whatever the format used to maintain the ATC Watch Log, it shall include the name of the ATC unit and the period for which the log contains entries and shall be capable of providing a documentary record of entries made.

9.3 An ATC Watch Log shall permit descriptive text associated with a particular date and time (in UTC) to be recorded and enable the identity of the author to be established. Entries shall be made in chronological order and, as far as possible, concurrently with the events being recorded and should be of sufficient detail to enable subsequent investigation of events to have a complete understanding of actions taken by ATC.

9.4 Items logged shall include:

• changes to the serviceability of radio and radar aids;
• essential aerodrome information and changes to runway in use (at aerodrome based units);
• result of routine equipment checks conducted by controllers;
• details of reportable events such as aircraft accidents, incidents and AIRPROXs;
• any unusual occurrences;
• handover of responsibility for providing ATC services and, at units not operating throughout the 24-hour period, times of opening and closing of watch.

9.5 An ATC Watch Log shall normally be maintained in each control room or in association with each operational control position. When approved by the CAA, and where a suitable unit management structure exists, a single Watch Log may be maintained in respect of more than one control room or operational position.

9.6 Measures shall be taken to ensure that entries made in an ATC Watch Log cannot subsequently be altered or in any other way be tampered with.

9.7 The method by which the ATC Watch Log is managed and entries made shall be detailed in MATS Part 2.

Seems to work OK.

Goldfish, I'm not sure why the ATC log is considered to be any more 'legal' than any other document that might get pulled out in court or wherever sometime. As far as I'm aware it doesn't have any particular or special status in the UK. Certainly it doesn't seem any more important in reconstructing events than the strips and many units now use electronic strips.

[2 sheds]

Spitoon
Good point. It always bugs me when I see "legal documents" used to refer to any old piece of paper. "Official documents" would be an appropriate term.
Catwalker
Was your original question prompted by the fact that the UK CAA no longer produces the traditional Watch Logs that comply with the conditions to which you refer? This presents a problem for the units that still use log books - and which, I trust, will continue to do so!
2 s