Paragraph 51

Article 110 is amended as follows.

For “unit licence endorsement” in both places in which it appears substitute “unit endorsement”.

In paragraph (2), for “CAA” substitute “DCA”.

At the end insert—

“(3)

Subject to paragraph (4), a unit endorsement is valid for an initial period of 12 months.

(4)

The validity of a unit endorsement may be extended by the DCA or a person approved by the DCA for a further 12 months on application by the holder of the air traffic controller’s licence if the air navigation service provider for whom the licence holder provides services demonstrates that—

(a)

the licence holder has, during the 12 months preceding the application, been exercising the privileges of the endorsement for the minimum number of hours specified in a scheme approved by the DCA detailing the method by which an air traffic control unit must maintain the competence of licence holders;

(b)

the air navigation service provider has assessed the licence holder’s competence and is satisfied that the licence holder is competent to exercise the privileges of the endorsement; and

(c)

the holder’s licence includes a valid medical certificate.

(5)

When considering an application for an extension under paragraph (4) made by an on the job training instructor, the DCA or a person approved by him may reduce the minimum number of hours required to maintain the validity of the unit endorsement under paragraph (4)(a), in proportion to the time spent by the licence holder instructing trainees on the working positions to which his unit endorsement relates.

(6)

A unit endorsement which has ceased to be valid may be revalidated provided that the condition in paragraph (7) is satisfied.

(7)

The condition referred to in paragraph (6) is that the licence holder has completed training, to the satisfaction of the DCA or a person approved by him, under the supervision of an on the job training instructor and in accordance with a plan approved by the DCA that details the training procedures and requirements of the air traffic control unit to which the unit endorsement relates.

(8)

The holder of a rating or rating endorsement who has not provided air traffic control services associated with that rating or rating endorsement for four years may not commence unit training in that rating or rating endorsement until—

(a)

the DCA or a person approved by him has assessed whether the holder continues to satisfy the conditions of the rating or endorsement; and

(b)

following the assessment, the DCA or the person approved by him is satisfied—

(i)

that the holder continues to satisfy the conditions of the rating or endorsement; and

(ii)

that the holder has successfully completed any training requirements identified under the assessment.

(9)

The DCA or a person approved by him must grant an instructor endorsement to a holder of an air traffic controller’s licence on application by the licence holder if —

(a)

the holder has provided an air traffic service for a continuous period of at least one year preceding the application (or such longer period as the DCA may specify, having regard to the ratings and endorsements for which instruction is given); and

(b)

the holder has passed an approved on the job training instructor course as a part of which the required knowledge and skills were assessed through examinations.”.