Course aim

The ATSEP SMC Combined course is designed for technicians and engineers who need to understand the infrastructure used in Air Traffic Management (ATM) for systems, monitoring, and control of CNS equipment. The course gives learners the knowledge and skills needed for operating and maintaining SMC equipment to support the complete ATM system. It also prepares them for System Equipment Rating Training, which is the next step in becoming an ATSEP.

Course structure

The course contains the following streams:

• SMC-COM
• SMC-NAV
• SMC-SUR
• SMC-DP

It is also possible to participate only in a part of the course which covers an individual stream.

The course is offered in three ways depending on the flexibility needed for our learners.  

Self-paced
Learners enrol themselves on the course and have direct access, enabling the learners to determine the timing and extent of practice required. 

Self-paced in combination with instructor-led sessions
The course duration is 8 full-time days online, of which 3 half days are dedicated to a pre-scheduled session with an instructor prior to the exam.

Learners have the option to access the self-paced parts of the course before the official start date if they wish more time spent on the self-paced material. The session with our instructor will focus on problem-solving scenarios as an ATSEP, deep dives into specific areas, clarifications, real-world examples, and examination preparations, depending on the learner’s needs. 

Through a course site, learners can engage and communicate with both their peers and the instructor. They have access to an open course chat where they can interact with others and the option to send individual emails directly to the instructor.

Onsite
Onsite training is offered upon request. The course is 8 days in duration and is delivered by professional international instructors.

Content in brief

ANS Structure (SMC-ANS)
ANSP organisation and operation: air navigation service provider organisation and operation.
ANSP maintenance program: the needs and the usage of maintenance policy and how this affects the SMC function.
ATM context.
ANSP administrative practices: the administration related to support the SMC function.

SMC System/Equipment (SMC-ASE)
Operational impact: degradation or loss of system/equipment services.
User position functionality and operation: user working position, SMC working position.

SMC Tools, Processes and Procedures (SMC-TPP)
Regulatory requirements: SMS, QMS, SMS application in the working environment.
Maintenance agreements with outside agencies: principles of agreements.
SMC general processes: roles and responsibilities.
Maintenance management systems: reporting.

Technology (SMC-TEC)
Technologies and principles: general, communication, navigation, surveillance, data processing, facilities.

Communication (SMC-COM)

• Voice
  Air/ground: controller working position.
  Ground/ground: the different types of interfaces, switch, controller working position.
• Data
  European networks: network technologies.
  Global networks: networks and standards, description, global architecture, air/ground sub-network, ground/ground sub-networks, air/ground applications.
• Legal Recorders
  Legal recorders: international and national regulations and principles.

Navigation (SMC-NAV)

• Performance Based Navigation
  NAV concepts: the concept of performance-based navigation.
• Ground Based Systems NDB
  NDB/Locator: the use of NDB/Locator in a SMC context.
• Ground Based Systems DF
  DF: the use of DF in a SMC context.
• Ground Based Systems VOR
  VOR: the use of VOR in a SMC context.
• Ground Based Systems DME
  DME: the use of DME in a SMC context.

Suveillance (SMC-SUR)

• Primary
  ATC surveillance: the use of PSR for ATS in a SMC context.
• Secondary
  SSR and MSSR: the use of SSR for ATS in a SMC context.
  Mode S: the use of Mode-S for ATS in a SMC context.
  Multilateration: The principles of MLAT in a SMC context.
• HMI
  HMI: ATCO HMI, ATSEP HMI, system displays.
• Surveillance Data
  Surveillance data: SUR technologies and protocols used by the SMC function.

Data Processing (SMC-DP)

• Data Processing Systems
  User requirements: controller requirements, trajectories, prediction and calculation, ground safety nets, decision support.
• Process
  Hardware platform: equipment upgrade, COTS, interdependence.
• Data
  Data essential features: data significance, data configuration control, data standards.

Prerequisites

To become an ATSEP, learners need to complete the ATSEP Basic course, the ATSEP Shared course, and at least one ATSEP Qualification course. This Initial Training can be completed in two different orders:

• ATSEP Basic > ATSEP Shared > ATSEP Qualification, or
• ATSEP Basic > ATSEP Qualification > ATSEP Shared

This means that the only prerequisite for starting this Qualification course is to have completed the ATSEP Basic course. However, to become an ATSEP, learners will need to either complete an ATSEP Shared course before taking the Qualification course, or complete an ATSEP Shared course after they completed the Qualification course.

Compliance with regulations

• Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/373 Annex XIII, subpart A.
• EASA ANNEX XIII – Part-PERS requirements for service providers concerning personnel training and competence assessment Subpart A – Air Traffic Safety Electronic Personnel.