Proper training for airport operators, airside maintenance, and service personnel is crucial to meeting the mandatory competency requirements outlined in Air Navigation Orders (ANOs). This ensures that Airport Operational Performance aligns with the standards and best practices established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and national authorities.
Personnel involved in Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL) must stay updated on evolving technologies, products, and engineering solutions while being equipped to carry out essential tasks safely. ICAO mandates that all airport operators ensure their engineering personnel possess the necessary skills and competencies to perform their duties safely and effectively, in compliance with both national and international aviation and technical regulations.
ICAO Document 9981, Procedures for Air Navigation Services – Aerodromes (3rd Edition, 2020), Part II – Aerodrome Operations Management, emphasizes the importance of training in Chapter 1.
Specifically, Paragraph 1.2 outlines the key objectives:
The latest generation of ALT AGL courses is designed to deliver a structured, competency-based training program that can be conducted worldwide. These courses equip airport staff and technicians with the essential knowledge, technical expertise, behavioral skills, and language proficiency required by ICAO PANS Training Document 9868.
Combined with the necessary experience, this training enables individuals to be authorized to perform duties on critical airport systems and equipment, ensuring they are qualified to work at each stage of their career progression.
The standards developed by ICAO and underwritten by EASA, the FAA and EuroControl ensure training is delivered in a phased manner and progressively arranged to ensure competency is developed.
To achieve this it is recommended that core development phases are used.
Foundational training is built upon essential trade skills and technical knowledge, providing a comprehensive understanding of Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL) standards, regulations, and operational procedures. It is designed to support all related engineering disciplines, including Control Engineering, Power Distribution, and Airfield-installed equipment.
Upon successfully completing the basic training phases, AGL personnel advance to qualification and unit training. This stage is tailored to the specific tasks required for various AGL engineering roles, including design, installation, maintenance, operations, or regulatory functions. Qualification training covers both theoretical and practical aspects, focusing on equipment-specific and site-specific applications. Additionally, it may incorporate soft skills such as on-the-job training (OJT) and Human Factors. During this phase, personnel refine their competencies, and their proficiency is thoroughly evaluated.
The continuation training phase is designed to sustain competencies while preparing personnel for system upgrades and modifications. It includes refresher courses, emergency response training, and conversion training, ensuring familiarity with newly introduced technologies and techniques.
This focuses on the additional competencies or growth requirements needed when the environment evolves or changes and ensures that already competent staff are capable of continually meeting core business Safety targets as defined within the ICAO Annex 19. ALT can assist in the identification of Training Needs and Competency reviews to meet these goals.
Demonstrating competency requires a strong foundation of professional knowledge, domain experience, and structured training. The ALT training program follows a progressive, building-block approach, where courses are designed in clearly defined stages, ranging from basic to specialized levels, each accompanied by thorough assessments and reviews.
Upon successfully completing each phase or module, Certification of Competency may be awarded in various forms, ensuring validation of acquired skills and expertise.
If you would like some more details, please send this enquiry form and one of our colleagues will call you back to help.