DFS Academy starts training air traffic controllers for the UK market

From 3rd July 2017, the DFS Academy in Germany will train six tower controllers for the British market, who will become the first to directly receive their air traffic controller licence from the UK supervisory authority following training undertaken in a foreign country.

DFS is conducting the training of air traffic controllers for Air Navigation Solutions Ltd., its British subsidiary. Together with the German Federal Supervisory Authority for Air Navigation Services (BAF) and the British Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), DFS has designed a training course for UK tower controllers which is approved by the CAA.

Following institutional training in Langen, Germany (pictured), the students will take up their practical training at Edinburgh Airport in March 2018. The DFS subsidiary, Air Navigation Solutions Ltd., will take over the provision of tower and approach control in Edinburgh on 1st April 2018.

Three more training courses will be held for tower controllers from Gatwick Airport during 2018 (at which Air Navigation Solutions Ltd. has been the air traffic control provider since spring 2016). Further courses are also being planned and, as of 2019, DFS will offer any open positions on courses not required by Air Navigation Solutions Ltd. to interested parties.

DFS has already conducted training for air traffic controllers from other European countries, such as Croatia, but this is the first time two national supervisory authorities have worked together with an ANSP to simplify the recognition of training conducted in another country.

In May 2017, DFS, the BAF and the CAA conducted a joint three-day audit of the specific training course contents for British controllers. It was the culmination of two years of preparatory work.

“Close and effective cooperation with the British and German supervisory authorities allowed us to develop a new line of training that meets the very specific requirements of UK regulations. The DFS Academy is fortunate enough to have British air traffic controllers on staff who made significant contributions,” stated Otto Fischer, Director of the DFS Air Navigation Services Academy.