ICAO 054B — Advanced Course
Area Control Surveillance
Elevating area control to the next level. Built to equip controllers with the radar skills and procedural knowledge needed to deliver safe, orderly, and expeditious service across controlled airspace.
Duration of Course:
11 Weeks
Course Overview
The ICAO 054B Area Control Surveillance course is an intensive professional training program designed to equip Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs) and active controllers with the competencies required to manage air traffic safely, orderly, and expeditiously within a Terminal Control Area (TMA) using radar and surveillance systems.
This course bridges the gap between foundational procedural knowledge and high-density radar operations. Combining rigorous theoretical instruction with high-fidelity simulation, it focuses on modern surveillance practices aligned with ICAO Annex 1 and Doc 4444 standards.
The course aim to develop the specialized technical skills, judgment, and situational awareness necessary for controllers to provide flawless surveillance-based approach services and prepare them for on-the-job training (OJT) validation.
Course Curriculum
The curriculum features an integrated blend of classroom lecturing, interactive group discussions, and technical case studies. It covers the core conceptual domains of radar operation and traffic management below:
Surveillance Systems & Equipment: Principles of Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR), Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR), ADS-B, and MLAT. Understanding radar coverage, limitations, and anomalies.
Aircraft Identification: Procedures for establishing, maintaining, and transferring radar identification of IFR and VFR aircraft.
Surveillance Separations: Standard lateral, longitudinal, and vertical radar separation minima under nominal and degraded states.
Vectoring & Sequencing Techniques: Speed control adjustments, radar vectoring methodologies, establishing aircraft on final approach tracks, and maintaining optimal landing intervals.
Airspace Coordination: Inter-unit and intra-unit coordination protocols between Aerodrome, Approach, and Area control sectors.
Meteorology & Special Procedures: Managing traffic through adverse weather (e.g., wind shear, thunderstorms) and conducting Low Visibility Procedures (LVP).
To ensure absolute safety and compliance, a strict 70% proficiency benchmark is required across all formal examinations and simulator checkpoints to achieve final course accreditation.
Simulator Training
- Surveillance Systems & Equipment: Principles of Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR), Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR), ADS-B, and MLAT. Understanding radar coverage, limitations, and anomalies.
- Aircraft Identification: Procedures for establishing, maintaining, and transferring radar identification of IFR and VFR aircraft.
- Surveillance Separations: Standard lateral, longitudinal, and vertical radar separation minima under nominal and degraded states.
- Vectoring & Sequencing Techniques: Speed control adjustments, radar vectoring methodologies, establishing aircraft on final approach tracks, and maintaining optimal landing intervals.
- Airspace Coordination: Inter-unit and intra-unit coordination protocols between Aerodrome, Approach, and Area control sectors.
- Meteorology & Special Procedures: Managing traffic through adverse weather (e.g., wind shear, thunderstorms) and conducting Low Visibility Procedures (LVP).
- Every simulator session includes detailed, one-on-one instructor briefings and debriefings. Progress is measured continuously against standard ICAO competency frameworks.
Rigorous Evaluation Standards
Trainee progress is continuously monitored across all training checkpoints, culminating in comprehensive formal written and practical examinations.
A strict 70% passing benchmark is enforced across all final evaluations to secure official accreditation.
Pre-requisite
- The applicant shall have successfully completed Basic/ Primary ATC or equivalent; or
- as determined by Civil Aviation Authority or other states Regulator/ Air Navigation Service Provider.
Course Schedule
12 October 2026 – 31 December 2026
29 March 2027 – 11 June 2027
20 September 2027 – 3 December 2027
For more information regarding AvAC ICAO 054B – Area Control Surveillance Course, or any of our ICAO Standard ATC courses, please contact us