This article describes how SkyRadar’s FreeScopes Basic III and IV align with EASA Easy Access Rules for ATM, supporting ATSEP qualification in COM, NAV, and SUR at taxonomy level III and beyond.
As Europe moves to strengthen its air traffic management capabilities, training for Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel (ATSEP) remains a cornerstone of operational safety and system reliability. The EASA Easy Access Rules for ATM/ANS set out clear learning objectives to ensure that ATSEP personnel are equipped with the theoretical and practical knowledge required for operational readiness across Communication (COM), Navigation (NAV), and Surveillance (SUR) domains.
SkyRadar’s FreeScopes Basic III and IV modules provide a direct, structured path to fulfilling these EASA training goals — not only aligning with regulatory requirements but also delivering hands-on training that reaches and surpasses taxonomy level III, and in parts, level IV.
Aligning FreeScopes with EASA Learning Taxonomy
The EASA Easy Access Rules for ATM/ANS define learning outcomes along a taxonomy of knowledge levels. Level III demands a conceptual understanding and the ability to apply and analyze, while level IV implies higher-order thinking such as evaluation and synthesis in complex environments.
FreeScopes Basic III and IV were developed to meet these exact demands. They deliver structured content and hands-on experimentation in signal processing and radio frequency theory — core competences for ATSEP professionals in the COM, NAV, and SUR domains.
FreeScopes Basic III: Mastering Signal Fundamentals
Basic III focuses on time- and frequency-domain concepts essential for understanding the behavior of communication and radar signals. It aligns with the NAV and SUR technical domains and directly supports the learning outcomes listed under ATSEP initial and unit training:
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Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF) and Pulse Width: Key for understanding primary radar operation (SUR).
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Time continuous and discrete signals: Foundational for digital communication systems (COM).
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Sampling, Quantization, and Signal Resolution: Critical for analyzing radar echo processing (SUR) and digital voice/data in COM.
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Modulation Techniques (AM, FM, PAM, QAM, QPSK): These are fundamental for both NAV and COM systems, including ILS, VOR, and data-link communications.
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Spectral Analysis: Tools like Spectrograms, Squared Spectral Magnitude, and Eye Diagrams allow deep investigation into signal integrity and bandwidth — fostering taxonomy level IV insights.
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Noise and Filtering: Understanding interference and how to mitigate it aligns with NAV/SUR qualification.
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Interactive visualizations: dB scale plots, constellation diagrams, and signal overlaps enhance learning by encouraging experimentation and hypothesis testing (taxonomy level IV).
This suite not only supports knowledge acquisition but also allows ATSEP students to apply theory, interpret graphical data, and diagnose complex signal issues — clearly fulfilling taxonomy level III and enabling level IV competencies.
FreeScopes Basic IV: Radio Frequency Mastery
Building on Basic III, FreeScopes Basic IV dives deeper into RF theory and antenna systems, vital for ATSEP professionals working in NAV, COM, and SUR:
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Antenna Types, Gain, Polar Plots, and Polarization: Core to understanding ILS, VOR, and radar systems.
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Impedance Matching, SWR, S-parameters, Smith Charts: These concepts are critical in ensuring minimal transmission losses in COM and SUR environments.
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Attenuation, Link Budget, and Path Loss Models (like breakpoint or d^-n): Required for planning robust communication and surveillance systems.
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Propagation Delay and Multipath: Key for understanding errors in GNSS (NAV) and surveillance systems.
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Frequency Diversity & High Dynamic Range: Concepts necessary for resilient system design under real-world interference conditions.
Combined with FreeScopes’ visual modeling and experimental simulations, learners can design, simulate, and optimize RF systems, empowering them to move beyond theoretical learning into analytical and evaluative practices.
Enabling Full Qualification in COM, NAV, and SUR
SkyRadar’s FreeScopes Basic III and IV provide a comprehensive practical learning framework that supports:
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Initial Training – Establishing foundational knowledge of signals and RF systems.
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Qualification Training – Meeting domain-specific learning goals in COM, NAV, and SUR.
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Continuation and Conversion Training – Allowing professionals to deepen or adapt their expertise with interactive simulations and measurements.
This corresponds directly with the EASA-mandated requirements and allows training centers to document progression through taxonomy levels — from knowledge and comprehension (I-II) through to application, analysis, and evaluation (III-IV).
Turning Regulation into Competence
In a regulatory environment that emphasizes safety, competence, and readiness, FreeScopes Basic III and IV serve as powerful tools to align ATSEP training with the EASA Easy Access Rules for ATM/ANS. Their high-fidelity simulations, modular structure, and direct mapping to COM, NAV, and SUR technical areas make them an ideal choice for achieving taxonomy level III and beyond, turning trainees into proficient professionals ready to meet the challenges of modern air traffic management.
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