--- title: "ATCO.D.060 Unit endorsement course — ANNEX I – PART ATCO – REQUIREMENTS FOR THE LICENSING OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS, ATCO · Avioverse" description: "A unit endorsement course shall be the combination of the relevant unit training phases for the issue or renewal of a unit endorsement in the licence." url: "https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/atco/part-atco-requirements-for-the-licensing-of-air/subpart-d/atco-d-060" --- # ATCO.D.060 Unit endorsement course ANNEX I – PART ATCO – REQUIREMENTS FOR THE LICENSING OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS · Regulation (EU) 2015/340 · EAR revision 14 Jun 2024 IR Implementing rule ## ATCO.D.060 Unit endorsement course (a) A [unit endorsement](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/unit-endorsement) course shall be the combination of the relevant unit training phases for the issue or [renewal](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/renewal) of a unit endorsement in the [licence](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/licence). Each course shall contain: (1) a transitional training phase; (2) an on-the-job training phase. A pre-on-the-job training phase shall be included, if required, according to ATCO.D.005(a)(2). (b) The unit training phases referred to in paragraph (a) shall be provided separately or in an integrated manner. (c) Unit endorsement courses shall define the syllabus and the performance objectives in accordance with ATCO.D.045(c) and shall be conducted in accordance with the unit training plan. (d) Unit endorsement courses that include training for [rating endorsement](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/rating-endorsement)(s) according to ATCO.B.015 shall be supplemented with additional training that allows for the acquisition of the concerned rating endorsement skills. (e) Training intended for a rating endorsement other than ATCO.B.015(a)(3) shall consist of subjects, subject objectives, topics and subtopics developed by the [training organisation](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/training-organisation) and approved as part of the [training course](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/training-course). \[applicable until 3 August 2024 - Regulation (EU) 2015/340] (e) Training intended for a rating endorsement shall consist of subjects, topics and subtopics developed by the training organisation and approved as part of the training course. \[applicable from 4 August 2024 - Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/893] (f) Unit endorsement courses undertaken following an exchange of a licence shall be adapted to include elements of initial training that are specific to the Functional Airspace Block or to the national environment. \[applicable until 3 August 2024 - Regulation (EU) 2015/340] (f) Unit endorsement courses undertaken by student air traffic controllers or air traffic controllers in a Member State for which the competent authority is not the same that issued the licence, shall be adapted to include elements of initial training that are specific to the FAB or to the national environment. The same requirement shall apply for cases where the applicant for the student licence has completed initial training in a Member State that is different from the Member State that will issue the student licence. \[applicable from 4 August 2024 - Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/893] IR · ATCO.D.060 — Regulation (EU) 2015/340 · Regulation (EU) 2023/893 · ATCO Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 14 Jun 2024 AMC Acceptable means of compliance ## AMC1 ATCO.D.060(c) Unit endorsement course [UNIT ENDORSEMENT](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/unit-endorsement) COURSE IN UNITS THAT PROVIDE GROUND MOVEMENT SURVEILLANCE CONTROL The training for the provision of ground movement control with the support of aerodrome surface movement guidance systems should be included in the unit endorsement course. \[applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R] AMC · AMC1 ATCO.D.060(c) — Regulation (EU) 2015/340 · ED Decision 2023/011/R · ATCO Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 14 Jun 2024 AMC Acceptable means of compliance ## AMC2 ATCO.D.060(c) Unit endorsement course [UNIT ENDORSEMENT](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/unit-endorsement) COURSE IN UNITS THAT PROVIDE TERMINAL CONTROL The training for the provision of air traffic control (ATC) services with the use of any surveillance equipment to aircraft that operate in a specified terminal area and/or adjacent sectors should be included in the unit endorsement course. For area control surveillance (ACS) [rating](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/rating) holders, the training should include objectives of initial training for the approach control surveillance (APS) rating related to terminal control. \[applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R] AMC · AMC2 ATCO.D.060(c) — Regulation (EU) 2015/340 · ED Decision 2023/011/R · ATCO Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 14 Jun 2024 GM Guidance material ## GM1 ATCO.D.060(c) Unit endorsement course PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS PROVIDING SERVICES TO AIRCRAFT CARRYING OUT FLIGHT TESTS The performance objectives for air traffic controllers providing air traffic control services to aircraft carrying out flight tests should ensure that applicants manage the workload and provide air traffic services and apply specific ATC procedures to aircraft carrying out flight tests within a defined aerodrome, approach control and/or area control area of responsibility. GM · GM1 ATCO.D.060(c) — Regulation (EU) 2015/340 · ED Decision 2015/010/R · ATCO Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 14 Jun 2024 GM Guidance material ## GM2 ATCO.D.060(c) Unit endorsement course ADDITIONAL TRAINING FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS PROVIDING SERVICES TO AIRCRAFT CARRYING OUT FLIGHT TESTS In accordance with ATCO.B.020(d), the [unit endorsement](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/unit-endorsement) course for air traffic controllers providing air traffic control services to aircraft carrying out flight tests may include the following subjects, subject objectives, topics and subtopics: Subject 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE The subject objective is: Learners shall know and understand the training programme that they will follow and learn how to obtain the appropriate information. TOPIC INTRO 1 — COURSE MANAGEMENT Subtopic INTRO 1.1 — Course introduction Subtopic INTRO 1.2 — Course administration Subtopic INTRO 1.3 — Study material and training documentation TOPIC INTRO 2 — INTRODUCTION TO THE ATC [TRAINING COURSE](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/training-course) Subtopic INTR 2.1 — Course content and organisation Subtopic INTR 2.2 — Training ethos Subtopic INTR 2.3 — [Assessment](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/assessment) process Subject 2: SCOPE OF FLIGHT TESTING The subject objective is: Learners shall understand the purpose of flight testing and integrate airworthiness issues in the provision of ATS to flight tests. TOPIC FT 1 — AIRWORTHINESS REQUIREMENTS Subtopic FT 1.1 — Airworthiness codes Subtopic FT 1.2 — Flight test guide for CS aircrafts Subtopic FT 1.3 — Prototypes and concept aircrafts TOPIC FT 2 TEST AND ACCEPTANCE TRAFFIC ASPECTS Subtopic FT 2.1 — Performance flight testing methods Subtopic FT 2.2 — Handling qualities testing methods Subtopic FT 2.3 — Systems, CNS and on-board safety systems testing methods Subject 3: REGULATIONS AND EXEMPTIONS The subject objective is: Learners shall know, understand and apply the rules of the air and ATM regulations, and the principles of exemptions regarding the needs of flight test, and also take into account licensing and competence principles. TOPIC REG 1 — ATC LICENSING/CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE Subtopic REG 1.1 — Privileges and conditions TOPIC REG 2 — EXEMPTIONS REGARDING ATM REGULATIONS Subtopic REG 2.1 — ICAO annexes and rules of the air Subtopic REG 2.2 — ATM regulations regarding airspace Subtopic REG 2.3 — Airworthiness Subtopic REG 2.4 — Flight test exemptions Subject 4: AIRCRAFT ENVIRONMENT The subject objective is: Learners shall know the theory of flight, aircraft subsystems and integrate aircraft performances, limitations and handling qualities in the provision of ATS to flight tests. TOPIC ACFT 1 — AIRCRAFT FLIGHT DYNAMICS Subtopic ACFT 1.1 — Aircraft control and movement Subtopic ACFT 1.2 — Performance testing Subtopic ACFT 1.3 — Handling qualities Subtopic ACFT 1.4 — Aero-elastic/Flutter stability Subtopic ACFT 1.5 — Flight envelope Subtopic ACFT 1.6 — Helicopter specific dynamics TOPIC ACFT 2 — AIRCRAFT ENGINES Subtopic ACFT 2.1 — The piston engine Subtopic ACFT 2.2 — The turboshaft engine Subtopic ACFT 2.3 — Jet and turbofan TOPIC ACFT 3 — AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS Subtopic ACFT 3.1 — Flight control systems Subtopic ACFT 3.2 — Safety systems Subtopic ACFT 3.3 — Communication and navigation systems Subject 5: FLIGHT TESTING AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT The subject objective is: Learners shall manage air traffic in complete safety, with methods to ensure a satisfactory rate of success regarding flight testing. TOPIC FTATM 1 — AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES AND AIRSPACE MANAGEMENT Subtopic FTATM 1.1 — Air traffic control (ATC) service Subtopic FTATM 1.2 — Flight information service (FIS) Subtopic FTATM 1.3 — Alerting service TOPIC FTATM 2 — EXEMPTIONS DUE TO TESTING DEMONSTRATIONS Subtopic FTATM 2.1 — Demonstration of compliance with airworthiness regulations Subtopic FTATM 2.2 — Flight test for evaluation of an aircraft Subtopic FTATM 2.3 — Flight test for evaluation of an aircraft subsystem TOPIC FTATM 3 — FLIGHT TEST METHODS IN AERODROME CONTROL AREA Subtopic FTATM 3.1 — Velocity of minimum control on ground Subtopic FTATM 3.2 — Velocity of minimum unstick Subtopic FTATM 3.3 — Lapse rate take-off Subtopic FTATM 3.4 — Rejected take-off Subtopic FTATM 3.5 — Tower fly-by method Subtopic FTATM 3.6 — Hover manoeuvre methods Subtopic FTATM 3.7 — Landing performances testing methods Subtopic FTATM 3.8 — Other flight testing manoeuvres TOPIC FTATM 4 — FLIGHT TEST METHODS IN APPROACH CONTROL AREA AND IN AREA CONTROL Subtopic FTATM 4.1 — Velocity of minimum control in the air/Stalls Subtopic FTATM 4.2 — Tuning of flight controls protections Subtopic FTATM 4.3 — Autopilot tuning Subtopic FTATM 4.4 — Wind milling/RAM air turbine/Engine relights Subtopic FTATM 4.5 — Trailing pitot static method Subtopic FTATM 4.6 — Lateral and longitudinal stability flights Subtopic FTATM 4.7 — Flight in specific meteorological conditions Subtopic FTATM 4.8 — Supersonic flights Subtopic FTATM 4.9 — Other flight testing various manoeuvres Subject 6: HUMAN FACTORS The subject objective is: Learners shall recognise the necessity to constantly consider the specific human factors influence on tests activity management. TOPIC HUM 1 — CUSTOMERS RELATIONS AND ORGANISATION Subtopic HUM 1.1 — Stress Subtopic HUM 1.2 — Responsible behaviour Subtopic HUM 1.3 — Violation of rules TOPIC HUM 2 — FLIGHT TEST WORKING METHODS Subtopic HUM 2.1 — Collaborative work within the same area of responsibility Subtopic HUM 2.2 — Collaborative work between different areas of responsibility Subtopic HUM 2.3 — FT-ATCO/CREW cooperation Subtopic HUM 2.4 — Communication TOPIC HUM 3 — FLIGHT TEST SAFETY CONSOLIDATION Subtopic HUM 3.1 — Safety risk assessment Subtopic HUM 3.2 — Experience feedback Subtopic HUM 3.3 — Unusual/Degraded/Emergency situations Subtopic HUM 3.4 — Safety [Investigation](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/investigation) Branch Subject 7: METEOROLOGY The subject objective is: Learners shall acquire, decode and make proper use of meteorological information relevant to the airworthiness issues and the safe provision of ATS to flight tests. TOPIC MTO 1 — METEOROLOGICAL AND AIRWORTHINESS CONCERNS Subtopic MTO 1.1 — Airworthiness meteorological requirements Subtopic MTO 1.2 — Demonstrator flights carrying specific test equipment Subtopic MTO 1.3 — Phases with specific weather conditions (icing, wind, volcano, etc.) GM · GM2 ATCO.D.060(c) — Regulation (EU) 2015/340 · ED Decision 2015/010/R · ATCO Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 14 Jun 2024 GM Guidance material ## GM3 ATCO.D.060(c) Unit endorsement course TRAINING FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS PROVIDING REMOTE AERODROME AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES The [unit endorsement](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/unit-endorsement) course should enable air traffic controllers providing aerodrome control service from a ‘remote tower’ (defined in the EASA ‘Guidance Material on remote aerodrome air traffic services’ — Issue 2) to acquire knowledge of the concept of remote aerodrome air traffic services and of the characteristics of the operating environment, to appreciate the necessity to consider the specific human factors influence on the remote aerodrome air traffic services, as well as to recognise specific abnormal situations and to manage their impact. This could be achieved by addressing the following items: Introduction to remote aerodrome air traffic services Concept of remote aerodrome air traffic services (described in Chapters 3 and 4 of the EASA ‘Guidance Material on remote aerodrome air traffic services’ — Issue 2); ‘Remote tower modules’ (RTMs) (defined in the EASA ‘Guidance Material on remote aerodrome air traffic services’— Issue 2); ‘Remote tower centre’ (RTC) (defined in the EASA ‘Guidance Material on remote aerodrome air traffic services’ — Issue 2); Technical enablers used for remote aerodrome air traffic services (described in Section 3.5 and Chapter 5 of the EASA ‘Guidance Material on remote aerodrome air traffic services’ — Issue 2); and Operational applications (described in Chapters 3 and 4 of the EASA ‘Guidance Material on remote aerodrome air traffic services’ — Issue 2). Operating environment Configuration of the RTM and RTC (if applicable) and modes of operation ‘Visual presentation’ (defined and described in Chapter 2 and Section 5.2 of the EASA ‘Guidance Material on remote aerodrome air traffic services’ — Issue 2) at the RTM, for example: layout and orientation; technical capabilities and limitations of a ‘visual surveillance system’ (defined in the EASA ‘Guidance Material on remote aerodrome air traffic services’ — Issue 2), including among others: impact of weather conditions on site the aerodrome; end-to-end delay; frame rate, any differences in light conditions between the aerodrome and the visual presentation; ‘dead’ pixels; any overlaid information and any site-specific equipment/functions such as sun filters; and seasonal settings. Set-up and characteristics of the local equipment at the aerodrome, e.g. location of cameras, signalling lamp, etc. Familiarisation with the physical aerodrome(s) environment and the different local stakeholders via study visit(s) Local weather characteristics Human factors aspects Human factors influence on remote aerodrome air traffic services Factors that can generate fatigue in a ‘remote tower’ environment (defined in the EASA ‘Guidance Material on remote aerodrome air traffic services’ — Issue 2), for example: eye strain caused by the performance of the visual presentation or by contrast in lighting against the background; artificial light and/or lack of daylight in the RTM); and preventing and mitigating strategies on fatigue. Procedures for degraded modes, for example: Complete or partial loss of the visual presentation Corrupt, delayed or frozen image Loss or degradation of the ‘binocular functionality’ (described in Section 5.2 of the EASA ‘Guidance Material on remote aerodrome air traffic services’ — Issue 2). GM · GM3 ATCO.D.060(c) — Regulation (EU) 2015/340 · ED Decision 2019/004/R · ATCO Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 14 Jun 2024 GM Guidance material ## GM4 ATCO.D.060(c) Unit endorsement course MULTIPLE MODE OF OPERATION When performing ‘multiple mode of operation’ (defined and described in the EASA ‘Guidance Material on remote aerodrome air traffic services’ — Issue 2), in addition to GM3 ATCO.D.060(c), the following items should also be considered: Use of communication facilities (e.g. aeronautical mobile service, aeronautical fixed service and surface movement control service) for simultaneous provision of air traffic services in geographically separated areas of responsibility Applicable procedures for traffic management, such as traffic prioritisation, enabling multiple mode of operation Procedures for prioritising between aerodromes Procedures for the transferring/merging/splitting of aerodromes in an RTM (defined in the EASA ‘Guidance Material on remote aerodrome air traffic services’ — Issue 2) Different weather and light conditions at different aerodromes Human capabilities/limitations with regard to the simultaneous handling of more than one aerodrome and distribution of attention GM · GM4 ATCO.D.060(c) — Regulation (EU) 2015/340 · ED Decision 2019/004/R · ATCO Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 14 Jun 2024 GM Guidance material ## GM1 ATCO.D.060(d);(e) Unit endorsement course TRAINING FOR [RATING](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/rating) ENDORSEMENTS Training for [rating endorsement](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/rating-endorsement)(s) as part of the [unit endorsement](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/unit-endorsement) course may be delegated to training organisations certified for initial training. GM · GM1 ATCO.D.060(d) — Regulation (EU) 2015/340 · ED Decision 2015/010/R · ATCO Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 14 Jun 2024 [All rules in SUBPART D – AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER TRAINING](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/atco/part-atco-requirements-for-the-licensing-of-air/subpart-d) 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.