07900 - Air Traffic Control

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has acquired the knowledge of the fundamental processes of the Air Navigation Services and is able to apply them within air traffic control simulations. The student also acquires familiarization with the instrumentation and with the management of simple normal and emergency operating situations both in the Control Tower and with the approach and area radar

Course contents

The study programme will explore the following topics:

1.Air Traffic Control
1.1. Organisation of a Service Provider
1.2. The model of High Reliability Organisations
1.3. Technologies supporting air navigation services activities and future developments
1.4. Basic techniques used by air traffic controllers in service provision and the relevant regulations
1.5. Organisation of air navigation services, airspace, and future developments
1.6. Air navigation assistance service units and future developments
1.7. The relationship between air navigation services and aircraft performance

2.Equipment & Systems
2.1. Technologies supporting air navigation assistance activities
2.2. Communication systems used in the aeronautical field
2.3. Main radionavigation systems in the ATC field
2.4. Main surveillance systems in the ATC field

3.Meteorology
3.1. General principles of meteorology
3.2. General circulation of the atmosphere
3.3. Phenomena hazardous to flight
3.4. Organisation of aeronautical meteorology

4.Performance and analysis of a generic flight profile

5.Air Traffic Flow and Capacity Management in Europe

Readings/Bibliography

The study material will consist of handouts made available on Virtuale by the professors.

Teaching methods

Lectures, Case study

Assessment methods

The final examination consists of:
• Entry test
• Oral examination

Entry test. This is the test required for admission to the oral examination and consists of a written test with 35 multiple-choice questions, each with 3 options. The test covers all the topics addressed during the course. Correct answers are worth 1 point, while incorrect or unanswered questions are worth 0 points. The test is considered passed if the student achieves a minimum score of 31/35. The time allowed is 40 minutes, and the test does not contribute to the determination of the final examination grade. During the test, the use of notes, textbooks, or any other type of support material is not permitted.

Oral examination. The examination focuses exclusively on the subjects of Air Traffic Control, Equipment & Systems, and Meteorology, and is intended to assess the student’s ability to apply their knowledge and make the necessary logical-deductive connections. The maximum score obtainable for each subject is 15/30 for Air Traffic Control, 12/30 for Equipment & Systems, and 6/30 for Meteorology. The final grade will be the sum of the three separate assessments.

The examination is considered passed with a minimum grade of 18/30, while the maximum score obtainable by providing all correct answers is 30 cum laude.

With regard to the assessment of learning, the use of AI is prohibited. Any use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Students with SLDs or temporary or permanent disabilities are advised to contact the relevant University office in good time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ). The office will propose any appropriate accommodations to the students concerned; these must in any case be submitted to the lecturer for approval at least 15 days in advance. The lecturer will assess their suitability also in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

video, power point, pdf

Office hours

See the website of Alberto Lorenzoni

See the website of Claudia Faccani