Aviation Training Services

Professional ATM training at the DAS Aviation Academy (DAS A²)

The A² academy of DFS Aviation Services combines aviation and learning in a practical manner. Through our own work as a certified Air Navigation Service Provider and our training team with many years of international operational and training experience, we understand the challenges faced by the ATM community. In our training courses, we build the perfect bridge for you between theory and practice.

The training portfolio of the DAS A² includes operational training, ongoing vocational training and refresher courses for endorsements and/or the maintenance of competence, as well as qualifications for management level. We also offer training courses and refresher courses for other air traffic services personnel, such as Aerodrome Flight Information Services and Flight Directors.

Our courses meet the regulatory requirements of the EU (conform to EU Regulation 2015/340) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). As well as complying with international training standards, we can of course also meet your own individual training needs and requirements.

Modern simulators and virtual training available

In addition to conventional theoretical training, we offer access to our modern tower and radar simulators in Langen, as well as convenient options for online and remote training.

Our international team of trainers and simulation pilots looks forward to passing on their knowledge and experience to your air traffic control personnel.

Training dates at DAS Aviation Academy:

You can always find current dates for our trainings below in the respective course information or in our online training catalog.

Haven’t found a suitable date? Or you are interested in a specific training?
Please feel free to send us a direct request.

ATCO Initial Training offers:

Click here for our new training catalogue:

Training dates for technical air traffic control personnel:

We look forward to your request!

Training Courses

Proficiency Training
Perform competence assessments of air traffic controllers

Assessors for air traffic controllers regularly need to renew and update their skills and qualities.In this course DFS Aviation Services focuses on assessment skills and current operational practices in order to either extend or renew an assessor’s endorsement according to ATCO.C.060 (EU) 2015/340. The course combines classroom-based lessons with practical exercises/simulations

Maintain ATC standards and competence through effective and individual training

This continuation course enables operational ATCOs to maintain the validity of their licence and enhance their existing competences.

Whether your ATCOs need practical experience in high paced and complex traffic, or you need to comply with regulation for standards maintenance, DFS Aviation Services offers a tailored competence training.

State-of-the-art simulators and internationally qualified instructors with experience in complex and high-traffic airspaces allow us to design, adapt and deliver an environment that closely represents actual operational circumstances.

Contain and control human error

To contain and control human error, one must understand its nature.

The refresher course for human factors aims to maintain skills in a competence programme so that the existing knowledge and skills of air traffic controllers are checked, expanded or improved on.

Successfully deal with unexpected events and emergency situations

A fundamental element of a competence scheme is the regular training and refreshing of air traffic control’s appropriate and speedy response to emergency situations.

Controllers are not exposed to abnormal or emergency situations in their day-to-day duties. It is then understand-able that there is a need to practice and assess in a simulated environment. This helps to maintain not only actions from memory but also to review current procedures/checklists.

DFS Aviation Services can offer you classical emergency training topics such as situational awareness, emergency control and coordination as well as ICAO procedures for emergencies.

Abnormal situation training, such as unlawful interference and strayed or unidentified aircraft, can be pre-sented in conjunction with emergency refresher training.

On-the-job-training for instructors’ competency maintenance and renewal

In order to extend the endorsement for ATCO instructors according to Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/340 (renewal), instructors need to regularly update their theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

The OJTI refresher and renewal training at DFS Aviation Services is preceded by a valuable short self-study part before the training day. The training itself is divided into a classroom-based part, in which the theoretical knowledge, skills and behaviours are refreshed, a written performance check on the topics covered as well as a practical part.

The practical part is carried out using a highly professional PC-based simulation. This includes the provision of a PC with the simulation software and locations that allow both the OJT (participant with trainee) and the OJTI to be observed by the assessor.

Language Proficiency Training

For aviation radio telephony a good level of language proficiency is crucial. Therefore air traffic services personnel, pilots and other flight crew require a language proficiency endorsement in order to ensure an understandable and safe communication. The proof of language skills must also be regularly refreshed.

DFS Aviation Services offers qualified language proficiency testing for English or German according to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements.

Management & System Trainings
Ensure ATC standards and competence through effective and individual training

The last years have seen the shift from traditional, one-size-fits-all, teaching methods, to competency-based training. This shift, stemming from the pressure on resources available to ANSPs, has quickly delivered positive results – not least a highly qualified workforce that is able to adapt to an ever changing environment.

Competency-based training and assessment makes use of a systematic approach and is focused on specific skill development compared to traditional training with a uniform training plan. With the focus on your students’ unique state of knowledge and skills, the experienced instructors of DFS Aviation Services will analyse your company’s training needs and enable your students to perform today’s highly complex ATM jobs.

Implementation and maintenance training for your SMS

A functioning safety management system (SMS) is essential in every organisation, especially in a safety-critical industry such as air traffic control. And a safety system can only function if the staff is adequately trainedfor it.

DFS Aviation Services can deliver customised training events and develop a cost-effective and efficient SMS training programme. This enables service providers to comply with the requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Such training facilitates the process of SMS implementation and/or mainte-nance, as well as acting as a refresher for personnel.

Manage day-to-day operations

In today’s ATM environment, ATS supervisors serve as the crucial link between air traffic controllers and ATM managers. ATS supervisors maintain safety and efficiency in an operational and tactical environment. Often called upon to make critical and on-the-spot decisions, ATS supervisors are required high-quality and focused training.

This training of DFS Aviation Services provides potential and existing ATS supervisors with the skills to maintain situational awareness in a dynamic environment while applying best-practice leadership principles. The participants also receive input on specialist topics that are relevant for a supervisor in addition to operational supervision.

Enable success through quality-trained leaders

Managers and potential managers in air traffic services (ATS) continuously need to broaden their knowledge base and potential for problem solving and finding innovative strategies and tools to be applied in ATM.

DFS Aviation Services can provide management training that combines classroom-based lectures with the oppor-tunity to discuss current day challenges and solutions in ATM with experts and managers.

The course is based on recognised leadership principles applied internationally in the ATM domain and knowledge of experienced subject matter professionals.

Operative & Conversion Training
DAS_Portfoliobild_AFISO_BasicRating
Basic & Rating Course for Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officers (AFISO)

The AFISO Basic and Rating course provides the theoretical and practical prerequisites for a career as an AFISO. The training takes place in state-of-the-art tower simulators.

Upon successful completion of both courses, participants receive a certificate with which they can apply for an AFIS trainee licence. This is a prerequisite for starting training at an AFIS location.

The course complies with German (FSPersAV), European (EASA) and ICAO standards.

Next Dates

AFIS Basic 4: 25 March – 16 April 2024 (due to Easter holidays)
AFIS Rating 4: 17 April – max. 17 May 2024 (due to several public holidays)

AFIS Basic 5: 17 June – 05 July 2024
AFIS Rating 5: 08 July – max. 02 August 2024

AFIS Basic 6: 30 September – 18 October 2024
AFIS Rating 6: 21 October – max. 15 November 2024

Shaping the future of Air Traffic Control

Based on our experience as an Air Navigation Service Provider and Training Academy we deliver initial training for Air Traffic Control. The object of initial training is to prepare ab initio for unit training at any Air Traffic Services Unit. It includes two phases, basic followed by the appropriate rating element, leading to a certificate of completion which in turn, subject to the relevant in country regulatory requirements, can lead to the issue of a student licence.

Rating training (ADI, APS, ACS) might also be provided as training for conversion to another rating.

ADCON-TID im Einsatz am Flughafen.
Remain competent in a fast-changing ATM environment

Changes to the operational environment, system upgrades or changes to regulations and procedures. All of these bring with them the need for training in order for air traffic service personnel to remain efficient and safe. The need for conversion training is typically determined by measuring the impact of the change on the ability of staff to continue to perform their tasks competently.

Training specifications and objectives are designed based on either the client’s request, or DFS Aviation Services can conduct an analysis to provide you with the most efficient and comprehensive solution.

Our conversion training is aimed at maintaining current competences while using new systems or procedures implemented by the service provider. The range of services offered in our training programme spans from classroom-based briefings to true-to-life advanced simulations with the option of custom scenarios and traffic patterns.

Successful handling of IFR traffic by qualified flight controllers
  • Are you an aerodrome with Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) procedures that would like to train new or experienced controllers for these procedures?
  • Do you plan to offer IFR procedures in the future, but do not need an AFIS certificate?
  • You are an air traffic controller and would like to further qualify yourself in the handling of IFR traffic?

This course prepares you in the best way for working with IFR procedures and highlights the rules and procedures under which IFR traffic is conducted in accordance with international standards.

Our experienced trainers not only provide participants with theoretical background information,
but also with special characteristics of the practical work with IFR procedures.

Conduct targeted training and development

Changes to the operational environment, system upgrades or changes to regulations and procedures bring with it the need for professional training in order for air traffic service personnel to remain efficient and safe.

The purpose of the train-the-trainer course of DFS Aviation Services is to teach instructors and trainers the most effective ways to transfer knowledge. Focused on both experienced and new instructors as well as sub-ject-matter experts, the course teaches the best possible ways of improving the design, delivery and evaluation of training events. The course also includes the key aspects of facilitating group based training events and what is required to maximise such events in respect of both knowledge retention and participation.

Keep up to date with the latest developments

Aviation is a dynamic environment where technological advances and changes in traffic patterns and capacity requirements change continuously.

Through classroom-based lectures and training events backed by simulated practical exercises, DFS Aviation Services allows ATM managers to empower their personnel in the application of operational tools.

Our pool of internationally qualified and experienced training development staff and instructors results in quality and focused training with modern techniques.

We can provide ATM training that not only teach new skills but refresh those skills that cannot always be acquired in a day-to-day operational environment.

Individual preparation for your AFISO job

The Conversion course for Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officers (AFISO) is aimed at people with an aviation-specific background, like trained pilots, experienced Air Traffic Control staff, or those who have successfully completed an approved basic course for air traffic management specialists.

The course content is adapted to your profile and takes into account the existing expertise of the participants. This allows you to close knowledge gaps and to fully prepare you for the tasks as an AFISO at an aerodrome with aerodrome information services (AFIS).

The course content is based on best industry standards, German regulation, and recommendations specified by EASA and ICAO.

References

Customer Voices

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