--- title: "AMC1 ATCO.D.010(a)(1) Composition of initial training – Basic training — INITIAL TRAINING CONTENT, ATCO — COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2015/340 — extract 7 · Avioverse" description: "SUBJECT 8: EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS The subject objective is: Learners shall explain the basic working principles of equipment that is generally used in ATC…" url: "https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/atco/initial-training-content/commission-regulation-eu-2015-340/amc1-atco-d-010-a-1-9" --- # AMC1 ATCO.D.010(a)(1) Composition of initial training – Basic training INITIAL TRAINING CONTENT · Regulation (EU) 2015/340 · EAR revision 14 Jun 2024 AMC Acceptable means of compliance ## AMC1 ATCO.D.010(a)(1) Composition of initial training – Basic training SUBJECT 8: EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS The subject objective is: Learners shall explain the basic working principles of equipment that is generally used in ATC and appreciate how this equipment aids the controller in providing safe and efficient ATS. \[applicable until 3 August 2024 - ED Decision 2019/023/R] | TOPIC EQPSB 1 — ATC EQUIPMENT | | | | | ------------------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------- | - | ------------------------------------------------------ | | Subtopic EQPSB 1.1 — Main types of ATC equipment | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 1.1.1 | Explain the relevance of ATC equipment. | 2 | CWP, communication equipment, ATS surveillance systems | | TOPIC EQPSB 2 — RADIO | | | | | | -------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ | - | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Subtopic EQPSB 2.1 — Radio theory | | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 2.1.1 | | State the principles of radio waves. | 1 | | | BASIC EQPSB 2.1.2 | | Describe the characteristics of radio waves. | 2 | Propagation, limitations | | BASIC EQPSB 2.1.3 | | State the use, characteristics and limitations of frequency bands. | 1 | Use in ATC, navigation and communications, use and application in the Aeronautical Mobile Service, HF, VHF, UHF | | BASIC EQPSB 2.1.4 | | State the different uses of radio wave spectrum. | 1 | | | Subtopic EQPSB 2.2 — Direction finding | | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 2.2.1 | State the principles and use of VDF/UDF. | | 1 | VDF/UDF, QDM, QDR, QTF | | BASIC EQPSB 2.2.2 | State the precision of VDF/UDF used in the State system. | | 1 | | \[applicable until 3 August 2024 - ED Decision 2019/023/R] | TOPIC EQPSB 2 — RADIO | | | | | | -------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ | - | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Subtopic EQPSB 2.1 — Radio theory | | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 2.1.1 | | Describe the characteristics of radio waves. | 2 | Propagation, limitations | | BASIC EQPSB 2.1.2 | | State the use, characteristics and limitations of frequency bands. | 1 | Use in ATC, navigation and communications, and surveillance, use and application in the Aeronautical Mobile Service | | BASIC EQPSB 2.1.3 | | State the different uses of radio wave spectrum. | 1 | | | Subtopic EQPSB 2.2 — Direction finding | | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 2.2.1 | State the principles and use of VDF/UDF. | | 1 | VDF/UDF, QDM, QDR, QTE Optional content: precision of VDF/UDF used in the State system | \[applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R] | TOPIC EQPSB 3 — COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT | | | | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | - | ------------------------------------------------- | - | | Subtopic EQPSB 3.1 — Radio communications | | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 3.1.1 | State the use of the radio in ATC. | 1 | | | | BASIC EQPSB 3.1.2 | Describe the working principles of a transmitting and receiving system. | 2 | | | | BASIC EQPSB 3.1.3 | Explain the effect of antenna shadowing on RTF communications. | 2 | | | | Subtopic EQPSB 3.2 — Voice communication between ATS units/positions | | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 3.2.1 | Describe the use of other voice communications in ATC. | 2 | Optional content: telephone, interphone, intercom | | | Subtopic EQPSB 3.3 — Data link communications | | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 3.3.1 | Explain the use and benefits of Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC). | 2 | | | | Subtopic EQPSB 3.4 — Airline communications | | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 3.4.1 | State the use of SELCAL. | 1 | | | | BASIC EQPSB 3.4.2 | Explain the use and benefits of Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS). | 2 | | | \[applicable until 3 August 2024 - ED Decision 2019/023/R] | TOPIC EQPSB 3 — COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | - | ------------------------------------------------- | - | | Subtopic EQPSB 3.1 — Radio communications | | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 3.1.1 | State the use of the radio in ATC. | 1 | | | | BASIC EQPSB 3.1.2 | Describe the working principles of a transmitting and receiving system. | 2 | | | | BASIC EQPSB 3.1.3 | Explain the effect of antenna shadowing on RTF communications. | 2 | | | | Subtopic EQPSB 3.2 — Voice communication between ATS units/positions and others | | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 3.2.1 | Describe the use of other voice communications. | 2 | Optional content: telephone, interphone, intercom | | | Subtopic EQPSB 3.3 — Data link communications | | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 3.3.1 | Explain the use and benefits of controller pilot data link communications (CPDLC). | 2 | | | | BASIC EQPSB 3.3.2 | Explain the use and benefits of aircraft communications addressing and reporting system (ACARS). | 2 | | | | Subtopic EQPSB 3.4 — Airline communications | | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 3.4.1 | State the use of SELCAL. | 1 | | | \[applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R] | TOPIC EQPSB 4 — INTRODUCTION TO SURVEILLANCE | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------- | - | - | - | | Subtopic EQPSB 4.1 — Surveillance concept in ATS | | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 4.1.1 | Describe the concept of surveillance for the provision of ATS. | 2 | | | | TOPIC EQPSB 5 — RADAR | | | | | ---------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | - | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Subtopic EQPSB 5.1 — Principles of radar | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 5.1.1 | State the principles of radar. | 1 | | | BASIC EQPSB 5.1.2 | Recognise the characteristics of radar wavelengths. | 1 | | | BASIC EQPSB 5.1.3 | Recognise the use, characteristics and limitations of different radar types. | 1 | Optional content: frequency bands, long and short-range radar, weather radar, high-resolution radar | | Subtopic EQPSB 5.2 — Primary radar | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 5.2.1 | Explain the working principles of PSR. | 2 | | | Subtopic EQPSB 5.3 — Secondary radar | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 5.3.1 | Explain the working principles of SSR. | 2 | Mode A, Mode C | | BASIC EQPSB 5.3.2 | Explain SSR code management | 2 | Discrete, non-discrete codes, special codes | | BASIC EQPSB 5.3.3 | Explain the effect of antenna shadowing on SSR operation. | 2 | | | Subtopic EQPSB 5.4 — Use of radars | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 5.4.1 | Explain the use of PSR/SSR in ATC. | 2 | Area, approach, aerodrome, surface movement radar, DFTI | | BASIC EQPSB 5.4.2 | Explain the advantages and disadvantages of PSR/SSR. | 2 | | | Subtopic EQPSB 5.5 — Mode S | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 5.5.1 | Explain the principles of Mode S. | 2 | | | BASIC EQPSB 5.5.2 | Explain the use of Mode S in ATC systems. | 2 | | \[applicable until 3 August 2024 - ED Decision 2019/023/R] | TOPIC EQPSB 5 — RADAR | | | | | ---------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | - | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Subtopic EQPSB 5.1 — Principles of radar | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 5.1.1 | State the principles of radar. | 1 | | | BASIC EQPSB 5.1.2 | Recognise the characteristics of radar wavelengths. | 1 | | | BASIC EQPSB 5.1.3 | Recognise the use, characteristics and limitations of different radar types. | 1 | Optional content: frequency bands, longand short-range radar, weather radar, high-resolution radar | | Subtopic EQPSB 5.2 — Primary radar | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 5.2.1 | Explain the working principles of PSR. | 2 | | | Subtopic EQPSB 5.3 — Secondary radar | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 5.3.1 | Explain the working principles of SSR. | 2 | Mode A, Mode C, Mode S | | BASIC EQPSB 5.3.2 | Explain SSR code management | 2 | Discrete, non-discrete codes, special codes | | BASIC EQPSB 5.3.3 | Explain the effect of antenna shadowing on SSR operation. | 2 | | | Subtopic EQPSB 5.4 — Use of radars | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 5.4.1 | Explain the use of PSR/SSR in area, approach and aerodrome control. | 2 | Mode A, Mode C, Mode S, SMR Optional content: DFTI | | BASIC EQPSB 5.4.2 | Explain the advantages and disadvantages of PSR/SSR. | 2 | | \[applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R] | TOPIC EQPSB 6 — AUTOMATIC DEPENDENT SURVEILLANCE | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | - | ---------------------------------------------------- | | Subtopic EQPSB 6.1 — Principles of automatic dependent surveillance | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 6.1.1 | State the different applications of ADS. | 1 | ADS-B, ADS-C | | BASIC EQPSB 6.1.2 | Explain the working principles of ADS. | 2 | | | Subtopic EQPSB 6.2 — Use of automatic dependent surveillance | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 6.2.1 | Describe the use of ADS in ATC. | 2 | Area, approach, aerodrome, ICAO Doc 4444 | | BASIC EQPSB 6.2.2 | Explain the limitations of ADS. | 2 | Dependency on GNSS, dependency on airborne equipment | \[applicable until 3 August 2024 - ED Decision 2019/023/R] | TOPIC EQPSB 6 — AUTOMATIC DEPENDENT SURVEILLANCE | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | - | ---------------------------------------------------- | | Subtopic EQPSB 6.1 — Principles of automatic dependent surveillance (ADS) | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 6.1.1 | State the different applications of ADS. | 1 | ADS-B, ADS-C | | BASIC EQPSB 6.1.2 | Explain the working principles of ADS. | 2 | | | Subtopic EQPSB 6.2 — Use of automatic dependent surveillance (ADS) | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 6.2.1 | Describe the use of ADS in ATC. | 2 | Area, approach, aerodrome, ICAO Doc 4444 | | BASIC EQPSB 6.2.2 | Explain the limitations of ADS. | 2 | Dependency on GNSS, dependency on airborne equipment | \[applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R] | TOPIC EQPSB 7 — MULTILATERATION | | | | | -------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | - | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Subtopic EQPSB 7.1 — Principles of multilateration | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 7.1.1 | State the different applications of MLAT. | 1 | Optional content: ATC, environmental management, airport operations, LAM, WAM | | BASIC EQPSB 7.1.2 | Explain the working principles of MLAT. | 2 | Optional content: passive and active MLAT | | Subtopic EQPSB 7.2 — Use of multilateration | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 7.2.1 | Describe the use of MLAT in ATC. | 2 | Area, approach, aerodrome | | BASIC EQPSB 7.2.2 | Explain the limitations of MLAT. | 2 | Dependency on airborne equipment | \[applicable until 3 August 2024 - ED Decision 2019/023/R] | TOPIC EQPSB 7 — MULTILATERATION | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | - | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Subtopic EQPSB 7.1 — Principles of multilateration (MLAT) | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 7.1.1 | State the different applications of MLAT. | 1 | Optional content: ATC, environmental management, airport operations, LAM, WAM | | BASIC EQPSB 7.1.2 | Explain the working principles of MLAT. | 2 | Optional content: passive and active MLAT | | Subtopic EQPSB 7.2 — Use of multilateration (MLAT) | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 7.2.1 | Describe the use of MLAT in ATC. | 2 | Area, approach, aerodrome | | BASIC EQPSB 7.2.2 | Explain the limitations of MLAT. | 2 | Dependency on airborne equipment | \[applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R] | TOPIC EQPSB 8 — SURVEILLANCE DATA PROCESSING | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | - | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Subtopic EQPSB 8.1 — Surveillance data networking | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 8.1.1 | Explain the advantages and disadvantages of different surveillance technologies. | 2 | Data quality, coverage, refresh rate, reliability, redundancy, cost-effectiveness | | BASIC EQPSB 8.1.2 | Describe the implementation of Surveillance Data Networks. | 2 | Optional content: different technologies/sensors, network | | Subtopic EQPSB 8.2 — Working principles of surveillance data networking | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 8.2.1 | Explain the working principles of surveillance data processing. | 2 | Track fusion process, surveillance information presented on CWP | | BASIC EQPSB 8.2.2 | State other use of processed surveillance data. | 1 | Optional content: safety nets, airport operations, environmental management | \[applicable until 3 August 2024 - ED Decision 2019/023/R] | TOPIC EQPSB 8 —DATA PROCESSING | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | - | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Subtopic EQPSB 8.1 — Surveillance data networking | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 8.1.1 | Explain the advantages and disadvantages of different surveillance technologies. | 2 | Data quality, coverage, refresh rate, reliability, redundancy, cost-effectiveness | | BASIC EQPSB 8.1.2 | Describe the implementation of Surveillance Data Networks. | 2 | Optional content: different technologies/sensors, network | | Subtopic EQPSB 8.2 — Working principles of surveillance data networking | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 8.2.1 | State the working principles of surveillance data processing. | 1 | Surveillance information presented on CWP | | BASIC EQPSB 8.2.2 | State other use of processed surveillance data. | 1 | Optional content: safety nets, airport operations, environmental management | | Subtopic EQPSB 8.3 — Flight data processing | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 8.3.1 | Explain the FDPS core functions. | 2 | Optional content: system flight plan, data input, SSR code management, coordination, correlation/decorrelation, etc. | \[applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R] | TOPIC EQPSB 9 — FUTURE EQUIPMENT | | | | | ------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | - | - | | Subtopic EQPSB 9.1 — New developments | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 9.1.1 | State the developments in the equipment field for introduction in the near future. | 1 | | | TOPIC EQPSB 10 — AUTOMATION IN ATS | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | - | ---------------------------------------------------- | | Subtopic EQPSB 10.1 — Principles of automation | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 10.1.1 | Describe the principles of automation in communication and data links in ATS. | 2 | | | Subtopic EQPSB 10.2 — Aeronautical fixed telecommunication network (AFTN) | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 10.2.1 | Describe the principles of AFTN. | 2 | | | Subtopic EQPSB 10.3 — Online data interchange | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 10.3.1 | Describe the benefits of automatic exchange of ATS data in coordination and transfer processes. | 2 | Accuracy, speed and safety, non-verbal communication | | BASIC EQPSB 10.3.2 | Describe the limitations of automatic exchange of ATS data in coordination. | 2 | Non-recognition of a system’s failure | | Subtopic EQPSB 10.4 — Systems used for the automatic dissemination of information | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 10.4.1 | State the working principles of broadcasting systems. | 1 | Optional content: ATIS, VOLMET | | BASIC EQPSB 10.4.2 | Explain the use of ATIS and VOLMET in ATS. | 2 | Regulation (EU) No 923/2012, ICAO Annex 3 | | TOPIC EQPSB 11 — WORKING POSITIONS | | | | | ------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------- | - | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Subtopic EQPSB 11.1 — Working position equipment | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 11.1.1 | Recognise equipment in a working position. | 1 | Optional content: FPB, radio, telephone and other communications equipment, relevant maps and charts, strip printer, teleprinter, clock, information monitors, situation displays | | Subtopic EQPSB 11.2 — Aerodrome control | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 11.2.1 | Recognise equipment to be found specifically in a TWR. | 1 | Optional content: wind indicator, aerodrome traffic monitor, SMR, crash alarm, signalling lamp, lighting control panel, runway-in-use indicator, binoculars, signalling/flare gun, IRVR and altimeter-setting indicators, local information systems | | Subtopic EQPSB 11.3 — Approach control | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 11.3.1 | Recognise equipment to be found specifically in an APP. | 1 | Optional content: sequencing system, PAR, RVR indicators | | Subtopic EQPSB 11.4 — Area control | | | | | BASIC EQPSB 11.4.1 | Recognise equipment to be found specifically in an ACC. | 1 | | AMC · AMC1 ATCO.D.010(a)(1) — Regulation (EU) 2015/340 · ED Decision 2023/011/R · ATCO Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 14 Jun 2024 [All rules in COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2015/340](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/atco/initial-training-content/commission-regulation-eu-2015-340) Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 14 Jun 2024, extracted 13 Oct 2026) for convenience. Not the official publication — verify against the Official Journal of the European Union and the EASA publications before operational use.