AMCAcceptable means of compliance
AMC1 ATCO.D.010(a)(1)Composition of initial training – Basic training
SUBJECT 6: AIRCRAFT The subject objective is: Learners shall describe the basic principles of the theory of flight and aircraft characteristics and how these influence ATS operations. [applicable until 3 August 2024 - ED Decision 2019/023/R]
| TOPIC ACFTB 1 — INTRODUCTION TO AIRCRAFT | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Subtopic ACFTB 1.1 — Application of units of measurement | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 1.1.1 | Apply the units of measurement appropriate to aircraft and principles of flight. | 3 | |
| Subtopic ACFTB 1.2 — Aviation and aircraft | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 1.2.1 | Explain the relevance of theory of flight and aircraft characteristics in ATS operations. | 2 | |
[applicable until 3 August 2024 - ED Decision 2019/023/R]
| TOPIC ACFTB 1 — INTRODUCTION TO AIRCRAFT | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Subtopic ACFTB 1.1 — Application of units of measurement | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 1.1.1 | Apply the units of measurement appropriate to aircraft and the principles of flight. | 3 | |
| Subtopic ACFTB 1.2 — Aviation and aircraft | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 1.2.1 | Explain the relevance of theory of flight and aircraft characteristics in ATS operations. | 2 | |
[applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R]
| TOPIC ACFTB 2 — PRINCIPLES OF FLIGHT | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Subtopic ACFTB 2.1 — Forces acting on aircraft | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 2.1.1 | Explain the forces acting on an aircraft in flight and their interaction. | 2 | Lift, thrust, drag, weight during level flight Optional content: during climb, descent, turn |
| BASIC ACFTB 2.1.2 | Explain causes and effects of wake turbulence. | 2 | Induced drag |
| Subtopic ACFTB 2.2 — Structural components and control of an aircraft | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 2.2.1 | Describe the main structural components of an aircraft. | 2 | Rotary and fixed wing, tail plane, fuselage, flap, aileron, elevator, rudder, landing gear |
| BASIC ACFTB 2.2.2 | Explain how the pilot controls the movements of an aircraft. | 2 | Rudder, aileron, elevator, throttle, rotary wing controls |
| BASIC ACFTB 2.2.3 | Explain the factors affecting aircraft stability. | 2 | |
| Subtopic ACFTB 2.3 — Flight envelope | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 2.3.1 | Characterise the critical factors which affect aircraft performance. | 2 | Maximum speeds, minimum and stall speeds, ceiling, critical angle of attack, maximum ROC |
[applicable until 3 August 2024 - ED Decision 2019/023/R]
| TOPIC ACFTB 2 — PRINCIPLES OF FLIGHT | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Subtopic ACFTB 2.1 — Forces acting on aircraft | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 2.1.1 | Explain the forces acting on an aircraft in flight and their interaction. | 2 | Lift, thrust, drag, weight during level flight Optional content: during climb, descent, turn |
| BASIC ACFTB 2.1.2 | Explain causes and effects of wake turbulence. | 2 | Induced drag |
| Subtopic ACFTB 2.2 — Structural components and control of an aircraft | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 2.2.1 | Describe the main structural components of an aircraft. | 2 | Rotary and fixed wing, tail plane, fuselage, flap, aileron, elevator, rudder, landing gear |
| BASIC ACFTB 2.2.2 | Explain how the pilot controls the movements of an aircraft. | 2 | Rudder, aileron, elevator, throttle, rotary wing controls |
| BASIC ACFTB 2.2.3 | Explain the factors affecting aircraft stability. | 2 | |
| BASIC ACFTB 2.2.4 | List aircraft design features reducing induced drag. | 1 | Optional content: winglet, tip tanks, reducing wing incidence, aspect ratio, etc. |
| BASIC ACFTB 2.2.5 | Explain aircraft lights and their functions. | 2 | Regulation (EU) No 923/2012, ICAO Annex 6 Optional content: position lights, anti-collision lights, taxi lights, navigation lights, stroboscopic lights, landing lights |
| Subtopic ACFTB 2.3 — Flight envelope | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 2.3.1 | Characterise the critical factors which affect aircraft performance. | 2 | Maximum speeds, minimum and stall speeds, ceiling, critical angle of attack, maximum ROC |
[applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R]
| TOPIC ACFTB 3 — AIRCRAFT CATEGORIES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Subtopic ACFTB 3.1 — Aircraft categories | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 3.1.1 | List the different categories of aircraft. | 1 | Fixed wing, rotary wing, balloon, glider, RPAS |
| Subtopic ACFTB 3.2 — Wake turbulence categories | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 3.2.1 | List the wake turbulence categories. | 1 | ICAO Doc 4444 |
| Subtopic ACFTB 3.3 — ICAO approach categories | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 3.3.1 | List the ICAO approach categories. | 1 | ICAO Doc 8168 |
| Subtopic ACFTB 3.4 — Environmental categories | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 3.4.1 | List ICAO noise classification. | ICAO Annex 16 Optional content https://www.easa.europa.eu/eaer/topics/technology-and-design/aircraft-noise | |
[applicable until 3 August 2024 - ED Decision 2019/023/R]
| TOPIC ACFTB 3 — AIRCRAFT CATEGORIES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Subtopic ACFTB 3.1 — Aircraft categories | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 3.1.1 | List the different categories of aircraft. | 1 | Fixed wing, rotary wing, balloon, glider, RPAS |
| Subtopic ACFTB 3.2 — Wake turbulence categories | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 3.2.1 | List the wake turbulence categories. | 1 | Regulation (EU) 2017/373 |
| Subtopic ACFTB 3.3 — ICAO approach categories | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 3.3.1 | List the ICAO approach categories. | 1 | ICAO Doc 8168 |
| Subtopic ACFTB 3.4 — Environmental categories | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 3.4.1 | List the ICAO noise classification. | ICAO Annex 16 Optional content https://www.easa.europa.eu/eaer/topics/technology-and-design/aircraft-noise | |
[applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R]
| TOPIC ACFTB 4 — AIRCRAFT DATA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Subtopic ACFTB 4.1 — Recognition | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 4.1.1 | Recognise the most commonly used aircraft. | 1 | |
| Subtopic ACFTB 4.2 — Performance data | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 4.2.1 | State the ICAO aircraft type designators and categories for the most commonly used aircraft. | 1 | Type designators, approach and wake turbulence categories |
| BASIC ACFTB 4.2.2 | State the standard average performance data of the most commonly used aircraft. | 1 | Rate of climb/descent, cruising speed, ceiling |
| TOPIC ACFTB 5 — AIRCRAFT ENGINES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Subtopic ACFTB 5.1 — Piston engines | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 5.1.1 | Explain the operating principles, advantages and disadvantages of the piston engine and propeller. | 2 | Piston engines, fixed pitch, variable pitch, number of blades |
| Subtopic ACFTB 5.2 — Jet engines | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 5.2.1 | Explain the operating principles, advantages and disadvantages of the jet engine. | 2 | |
| BASIC ACFTB 5.2.2 | List the different types of jet engines. | 1 | |
| Subtopic ACFTB 5.3 — Turboprop engines | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 5.3.1 | Explain the operating principles, advantages and disadvantages of the turboprop engine and propeller. | 2 | |
| Subtopic ACFTB 5.4 — Aviation fuels | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 5.4.1 | List the most common aviation fuels. | 1 | |
[applicable until 3 August 2024 - ED Decision 2019/023/R]
| TOPIC ACFTB 5 — AIRCRAFT ENGINES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Subtopic ACFTB 5.1 — Piston engines | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 5.1.1 | Explain the operating principles, advantages and disadvantages of the piston engine and propeller. | 2 | Piston engines, fixed pitch, variable pitch, number of blades |
| Subtopic ACFTB 5.2 — Jet engines | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 5.2.1 | Explain the operating principles, advantages and disadvantages of the jet engine. | 2 | |
| BASIC ACFTB 5.2.2 | List the different types of jet engines. | 1 | |
| Subtopic ACFTB 5.3 — Turboprop engines | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 5.3.1 | Explain the operating principles, advantages and disadvantages of the turboprop engine and propeller. | 2 | |
| Subtopic ACFTB 5.4 — Electric engines | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 5.4.1 | Explain the operating principles, advantages and disadvantages of the electric engine. | 2 | |
| Subtopic ACFTB 5.5 — Sources of energy used in aviation | |||
| BASIC ACFTB 5.5.1 | List the sources of energy used in aviation propulsion systems. | 1 | Petroleum-based fuels (Avgas, Jet A-1, Jet B, biokerosene), electrical energy stored or generated on board the aircraft Optional content: hydrogen cell |
[applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R]
| TOPIC ACFTB 6 — AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS AND INSTRUMENTS | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subtopic ACFTB 6.1 — Flight instruments | |||||
| BASIC ACFTB 6.1.1 | Explain the basic operating principles and interpretation of the information displayed by flight instruments. | 2 | Altimeter, air speed indicator, vertical speed indicator, turn and bank indicator, artificial horizon, gyrosyn compass | ||
| BASIC ACFTB 6.1.2 | Explain the impact of errors and abnormal indications of flight instruments on aircraft operations. | 2 | Optional content: pitot-static failures, unreliable gyro source | ||
| Subtopic ACFTB 6.2 — Navigational instruments | |||||
| BASIC ACFTB 6.2.1 | Describe the basic on-board operating principles and interpretation of the information displayed by navigational instruments/systems. | 2 | Optional content: ADF, VOR (TACAN), DME, ILS, inertial reference system, satellite-based systems | ||
| Subtopic ACFTB 6.3 — Engine instruments | |||||
| BASIC ACFTB 6.3.1 | List the vital engine monitoring parameters and their associated instruments. | 1 | Optional content: oil pressure and temperature, engine temperature, rpm, fuel state and flow | ||
| Subtopic ACFTB 6.4 — Aircraft systems | |||||
| BASIC ACFTB 6.4.1 | Explain the use of the most common aircraft systems. | 2 | SSR transponder, GPWS, EFIS, flight director, autopilot, FMS, ice protection systems Optional content: ADS capability, head-up display, wind shear indicator, weather radar, hydraulic system, electrical system, environmental system | ||
| BASIC ACFTB 6.4.2 | Explain the impact of degradation/failure of the most common aircraft systems on aircraft operations. | 2 | Engine failure Optional content: hydraulic failure, electrical failure, environmental system failure, degradation of aircraft position source data | ||
[applicable until 3 August 2024 - ED Decision 2019/023/R]
| TOPIC ACFTB 6 — AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS AND INSTRUMENTS | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subtopic ACFTB 6.1 — Flight instruments | |||||
| BASIC ACFTB 6.1.1 | Explain the basic operating principles and interpretation of the information displayed by flight instruments. | 2 | Altimeter, air speed indicator, vertical speed indicator, turn and bank indicator, artificial horizon, gyrosyn compass | ||
| BASIC ACFTB 6.1.2 | Explain the impact of errors and abnormal indications of flight instruments on aircraft operations. | 2 | Optional content: pitot-static failures, unreliable gyro source | ||
| Subtopic ACFTB 6.2 — Navigational instruments | |||||
| BASIC ACFTB 6.2.1 | Describe the basic on-board operating principles and interpretation of the information displayed by navigational instruments/systems. | 2 | Optional content: ADF, VOR (TACAN), DME, ILS, inertial reference system, satellite-based systems | ||
| Subtopic ACFTB 6.3 — Engine instruments | |||||
| BASIC ACFTB 6.3.1 | List the vital engine monitoring parameters and their associated instruments. | 1 | Optional content: oil pressure and temperature, engine temperature, rpm, fuel state and flow, battery resource | ||
| Subtopic ACFTB 6.4 — Aircraft elements and systems | |||||
| BASIC ACFTB 6.4.1 | Explain the use of the most common aircraft systems. | 2 | SSR transponder, GPWS, EFIS, flight director, autopilot, FMS, ice protection, cabin pressurisation, fire detection and extinguishing, emergency oxygen supply systems Optional content: ADS capability, head-up display, wind shear indicator, weather radar, hydraulic system, electrical system, environmental system | ||
| BASIC ACFTB 6.4.2 | Explain the impact of degradation/failure of the most common aircraft systems on aircraft operations. | 2 | Engine failure Optional content: hydraulic failure, electrical failure, environmental system failure, degradation of aircraft position source data | ||
| BASIC ACFTB 6.4.3 | Explain common aircraft elements and their functions. | 2 | Aircraft cabin, flight deck, galley, doors, cargo compartments | ||
[applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R]
| TOPIC ACFTB 7 — FACTORS AFFECTING AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subtopic ACFTB 7.1 — Take-off factors | ||||
| BASIC ACFTB 7.1.1 | Explain the factors affecting aircraft during take-off. | 2 | Runway conditions, runway slope, wind, temperature, aerodrome elevation, aircraft mass | |
| Subtopic ACFTB 7.2 — Climb factors | ||||
| BASIC ACFTB 7.2.1 | Explain the factors affecting aircraft during climb. | 2 | Speed, mass, wind, wind shear, temperature, cabin pressurisation, air density | |
| Subtopic ACFTB 7.3 — Cruise factors | ||||
| BASIC ACFTB 7.3.1 | Explain the factors affecting aircraft during cruise. | 2 | Level, cruising speed, wind, mass, cabin pressurisation | |
| Subtopic ACFTB 7.4 — Descent and initial approach factors | ||||
| BASIC ACFTB 7.4.1 | Explain the factors affecting aircraft during descent. | 2 | Wind, speed, rate of descent, aircraft configuration, cabin pressurisation | |
| BASIC ACFTB 7.4.2 | Explain the factors affecting an aircraft in a holding pattern. | 2 | Speed, level, turbulence, icing | |
| BASIC ACFTB 7.4.3 | Explain the benefits of continuous descent operations. | 2 | ||
| Subtopic ACFTB 7.5 — Final approach and landing factors | ||||
| BASIC ACFTB 7.5.1 | Explain the factors affecting aircraft during final approach and landing. | 2 | Aircraft configuration, mass, wind, wind shear, aerodrome elevation, runway conditions, runway slope | |
| Subtopic ACFTB 7.6 — Economic factors | ||||
| BASIC ACFTB 7.6.1 | Explain the economic consequences of ATC changes on the flight profile of an aircraft. | 2 | Routing, flight level, speed, rates of climb or descent, continuous descent operations (CDO), continuous climb operations (CCO) | |
| Subtopic ACFTB 7.7 — Environmental factors | ||||
| BASIC ACFTB 7.7.1 | Explain performance restrictions due to environmental considerations. | 2 | Optional content: continuous descent operations (CDO), continuous climb operations (CCO), fuel-dumping, noise-abatement procedures, minimum flight levels | |
AMC · AMC1 ATCO.D.010(a)(1) — Regulation (EU) 2015/340 · ED Decision 2023/011/R · ATCO Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 14 Jun 2024