Air traffic safety electronics personnel
Air traffic safety electronics personnel is an International Civil Aviation Organization term for the electronic engineers involved with the creation and support of the ground-based electronic hardware and software systems used to support air navigation and air traffic management.
Often employed by Air Navigation Service Providers, ATSEP are mainly engineers, technocrats, hardware and software specialists who are responsible for the specification, procurement, installation, integration, calibration, maintenance, safety assurance and monitoring of these systems. The equipment ranges from discrete specialist electronic systems to commercial off-the-shelf computer hardware running specialist software designed and maintained to provide a safety-of-life service to aircraft. The systems provide communication and navigation services for aircraft, surveillance, flight data processing and the brain behind air traffic control system.
The specialisms practised by ATSEP are heavily influenced by systems engineering and safety Engineering. In many English-speaking countries, ATSEP are simply referred to as "engineers", even though the discipline encompasses a spectrum of professional engineers and highly trained technicians.
The International Federation of Air Traffic Safety Electronics Associations is the global organisation for the representation of ATSEPs on professional matters.
The International Federation of Air Traffic Safety Electronics Associations declared 12 November as International ATSEP day.
IFATSEA was in existence for more than 48 years.
