Iran CAO ATCO Theory study plan
Iran CAO ATCO Theory · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Air Traffic Management & Air Traffic Control Equipment and Systems
Define separation minima (longitudinal, lateral, vertical) and list the conditions for applying each in en-route and approach control.
Explain the principles of radar, primary/secondary surveillance, and transponder modes (A/C/S) and their operational use.
Identify the components of a typical ATM system (flight data processing, surveillance data processing, controller working position) and their functions.
Describe the differences between procedural and radar control and the associated equipment requirements.
List the ICAO documents (Doc 4444, Doc 7030) that specify separation and equipment standards.
Your checkpoint
Create a one-page separation minima cheat sheet with vertical, lateral, and longitudinal minima and the conditions for each, plus a table of surveillance equipment (PSR, SSR, Mode S) with key parameters.
Air Traffic Management & Operational Procedures and Emergency Handling
Apply sequencing and spacing techniques (speed control, vectoring, holding) to arrival and departure flows in a simulated scenario.
Outline the actions for handling an aircraft emergency (radio failure, medical emergency, unlawful interference) according to ICAO procedures.
Describe the process for establishing and maintaining separation during an emergency descent.
Explain the purpose and content of an ATS incident report and the difference between an incident and an accident.
List the priority order for handling different types of emergencies (distress, urgency, etc.).
Your checkpoint
Write a 1-page emergency checklist covering radio failure, medical emergency, and unlawful interference, including initial actions, communications, and coordination with adjacent units.
Air Law and ICAO Regulatory Framework & Aviation English and Phraseology
Summarize the key provisions of the Chicago Convention, including annexes relevant to ATM (Annex 2, 11, 10).
Explain the roles of ICAO, national authorities (e.g., CAO Iran), and service providers in regulation and oversight.
Demonstrate standard radiotelephony phraseology for routine clearances, read-back, and position reporting.
Identify common phraseology errors and correct them using ICAO standard phraseology.
Describe the licensing and rating requirements for air traffic controllers under Annex 1.
Your checkpoint
Record a 5-minute simulated radiotelephony exchange (clearance delivery, ground, tower) using standard phraseology, and self-assess against a checklist of 10 phraseology items.
Meteorology & Navigation
Interpret METAR and TAF reports, including decoding abbreviations and identifying significant weather phenomena.
Explain the formation and hazards of thunderstorms, icing, and turbulence, and their impact on ATC operations.
Describe the types of navigation aids (VOR, DME, NDB, ILS, GNSS) and their principles of operation.
Interpret aeronautical charts (en-route, approach) and extract relevant navigation information.
Calculate basic navigation parameters (heading, track, wind correction angle) using the triangle of velocities.
Your checkpoint
Complete a 10-item weather and navigation exercise: decode 3 METARs and 2 TAFs, identify hazards, and solve 5 navigation problems (e.g., wind correction, GS calculation). Score at least 80%.
Aircraft General Knowledge & Communications and Radio Telephony
Describe aircraft categories (wake turbulence categories) and their impact on separation minima.
Explain the effects of wake turbulence and strategies to avoid it (e.g., spacing, altitude separation).
Identify aircraft performance characteristics (climb/descent rates, speeds) relevant to ATC sequencing.
List the frequencies and frequency bands used in ATC communications (VHF, UHF, HF) and their propagation characteristics.
Explain the purpose of SELCAL and emergency frequency (121.5 MHz).
Your checkpoint
Produce a table of wake turbulence separation minima (in nautical miles) for arrivals and departures for all aircraft category pairs (Heavy, Medium, Light) as per ICAO Doc 4444, and a short note on frequency usage.
Human Factors and Performance & Operational Procedures and Emergency Handling
Explain the SHELL model and its application to ATC human factors.
Identify common human errors in ATC (e.g., memory lapses, communication failures) and mitigation strategies (e.g., read-back, checklists).
Describe the effects of fatigue, stress, and workload on controller performance and countermeasures.
Apply situational awareness and decision-making models to a case study of an ATC incident.
Outline the components of an SMS (Safety Management System) and just culture principles.
Your checkpoint
Write a 300-word analysis of a real or hypothetical ATC incident, identifying human factors (SHELL) and proposing preventive measures. Include at least three references to human performance concepts.
Air Traffic Control Equipment and Systems & Communications and Radio Telephony
Describe the operation and limitations of primary and secondary radar, including range, accuracy, and update rates.
Explain the purpose and function of Mode S, ADS-B, and multilateration in modern ATM.
Identify the components of a voice communication system (VCS) and backup systems.
Demonstrate proper radio discipline and emergency communication procedures (distress, urgency, radio failure).
Explain the impact of equipment failure on ATC operations and degraded modes.
Your checkpoint
Create a system diagram of a typical ATC surveillance and communication chain from radar/ADS-B to controller display, labeling each component and its failure modes. Include a 1-page summary of backup procedures.
Air Law and ICAO Regulatory Framework & Air Traffic Management & Meteorology & Navigation & Aircraft General Knowledge & Human Factors and Performance & Communications and Radio Telephony & Air Traffic Control Equipment and Systems & Operational Procedures and Emergency Handling & Aviation English and Phraseology
Review and consolidate all domains through practice questions and scenario-based exercises.
Complete a full-length mock examination under timed conditions.
Identify weak areas from the mock exam and create a targeted revision plan.
Revisit key regulations, separation minima, and emergency procedures.
Practice radiotelephony phraseology in a simulated exam environment.
Your checkpoint
Achieve a score of at least 75% on a 100-question mock exam covering all domains, and produce a list of top 5 weak areas with specific revision actions.
Milestones
Week 2: Complete a 20-question quiz on separation minima and emergency procedures with at least 80% accuracy.
Week 4: Score at least 80% on the weather and navigation exercise and correctly decode all METARs/TAFs.
Week 6: Submit the human factors incident analysis and demonstrate understanding of SHELL model in a 10-minute verbal explanation.
Week 8: Pass the mock exam with 75% or higher and complete the weak-area revision plan.