Recognition of EU ATCO license under CAA Info 2014/029

[Romeo_Fox]

Greetings from the continent,

I was wondering if anyone has experience in the procedure stated in the UK CAA Info 2014/029 about recognition of EU 805/2011 ATCO licenses.

Articel 3.2.3 states, that the training needs/differences of the non-UK initial ATC training and the CAA requirements of CAP 624 should be evaluated by a "competent training organization".

I really doubt, that any ANSP would take that effort and cost for such a comparison. So much about the Art. 29 of 805/2011 and "...not imposing any additional conditions..." on foreign ATCOs

Anyone here from "Global ATS" and/or "Ressource Training" as they might be "competent"?

Cheers

[rocky01]

Romeo Fox,

Yes, both the company's you list are recognized by the CAA, to provide Certified APC (Assessment of Previous Competence) courses, for the purpose of having EU 805/2011 ATCO licences recognised. (I work for neither, by the way).

In one case, they have tailored the course to the ratings you need Certified. Once you get the Cert, you then proceed to Unit Training etc...

You could take a chance, get the certificate, then look for a job (very risky), or have a prospective ANSP take you on, on the proviso you get the cert,...however that might be paid for, (by you or the ANSP).

To find out the cost, contact the companies directly, it's not cheap. You could fund the course yourself, but I know of at least one ANSP who are paying the cost to get badly needed controllers from outside the UK on the payroll.

But I agree, none of this excuses the CAA for not recognising the licences of legitimately qualified ICAO trained controllers.

PM me if you wish.

Rocky.

[Crazy Voyager]

So does EASA recognise a license issued by the CAA? I realise EASA is probably not the right agency but the "CAA" of say Germany, France or Italy, will they require an ATCO with a UK license to go through retraining?

I'm not that up to date what the differences actually, I thought most of them had now been removed but it would seem not then?

[Romeo_Fox]

Thanks Rocky,

your description sounds even worse than what I expected so far.

I assumed, I would only need a "bespoke UTP (Unit Training Plan)" to fill the gaps that are identified from the comparison of my initial training to CAP624 during the trainig for the local unit endorsement.

Do you mean I would also have to take additional courses at the "Initial Training Organisation"?! That would add clarity to what is meant by:

• Additionally, the bespoke training plan must be taught and assessed prior to the licence holder commencing unit training in accordance with the UTP and in accordance with the current standard practice for all ATCOs and Student ATCOs.

Sorry, but if thats not exactly "imposing additional conditions" that are excluded by 805/2011 Art. 29, then what is? "NIH - not invented here at its best!

So, does anyone know somebody, who knows somebody, (...),who knows or is a non UK licenced ATCO working in the UK ?

@crazy voyager
At least I know, that Switzerland, Austria and Germany recognize their ATCO licenses without any problems. Also I know several ATCOs that moved from Europe to New Zealand and Australia without any licence problems or additional training imposed on them. For most other countries I would assume "language" as the biggest problem.

[RPMcMurphy]

Ireland certainly didn't fully retrain a uk CAA rated ATCO when he arrived at a regional airport there recently. A robust local UTP was followed, together with appropriate met and medical certificates.

[flyer2004]

I would strongly advise contacting licensing at Gatwick. It is they and only they that can determine what training is required. Email or ring them, tell them which country you are from, what training you have done and accept their recommendations. There really are no shortcuts in aviation.

[rocky01]

That's a good recommendation, try ringing:

Inspector ATS (Training)
Safety Regulation Group
2 W Aviation House
Gatwick Airport South
West Sussex
RH6 0YR
Tel: [phone]

Rocky.