The Executive Board of IFATSEA has issued a press release on the implementation  of an ATSEP license for SWISS ATSEP.

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PRESS RELEASE

Date: 19/09/2005

IFATSEA WELCOMES SWISS LICENSING FOR ATSEPs

IFATSEA welcomes the decision of the Swiss government to implement a License for Air Traffic Systems Electronic Professionals (ATSEP) .Yet another ICAO member state has opted to license certain functions of Air navigation Technical services.  The decision was taken following the investigation of the mid-air collision that took place at Lake Constance in the autumn of 2002. It is aimed at achieving the highest standards of safety and as a proactive measure towards preventing similar accidents. This measure addresses more closely the competency/qualification standards of Electronic professionals serving the Communications Navigation and Surveillance pillars of Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM). It must be noted that during that tragic accident certain functions of the Communication and Radar Safety nets were not operational. In a world where man trusts his life on systems, it is proved imperative that ATSEPs   must obtain a licence before working on  safety critical ground equipment used in daily operations.

As an integral part of the safety chain, IFATSEA has long believed that a licensing system is required. This allows only fully trained personnel, with a proven skill and knowledge level and sufficient experience, to carry out modifications or conduct maintenance and subsequently release the equipment back to service.

“The explanations of ATSEP tasks and the final recognition that ATSEPs require a licence has taken Switzerland years” said Heinz Wipf, President of SATTA. “Having harmonized  common high standards of professionalism through strict licensing procedures throughout the Swiss aviation industry can only help enhance safety. It will be realised that a consistent licensing schemes for ATSEP and ATCO will prove to be valuable asset in the Single European Sky environment”

“This new licensing scheme must be welcomed” said Iain Findlay, Executive Secretary of IFATSEA. “All elements of the safety chain should include licensed personnel especially as ATSEPs are the eyes and ears of Air Traffic Control and the missing link in the safety chain. The need for extending the reporting for technical failures in occurrence reporting systems may help identify latent system failures hazardous to human life”.  

IFATSEA will continue to promote ATSEP licensing throughout the world and, combined with a non-punitive reporting culture within Air Traffic Providers, will proactively ensure high levels of safety for air travellers.

ATSEPs install, maintain and are responsible for all CNS/ATM equipment required to monitor, track and communicate with aircraft in today’s busy environment.

www.ifatsea.org

Contact    IAIN FINDLAY    +447713 511716

                        Email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

                  HEINZ WIPF This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Note for editors   

IFATSEA is the International organisation representing Air Traffic Safety professionals with membership in some 60 countries worldwide.  (www.ifatsea.org)

SATTA is the professional organisation representing ATSEPs in Switzerland.