Greece

Panhellenic Telecommunications Civil Employees Association (H.U.TE.O)

In the year 1948, the Panhellenic Telecommunications Civil Employees Association (H.U.TE.O), of the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (H.C.A.A.), was founded.
Its headquarters was in Athens and its members, the telecommunications civil servants that staffed all Greek Airports, ensured unobstructed communication and flight safety using the telecommunications technology of that era. Wireless transmitters and receivers, Morse code and code [Q] were the tools used by telecommunication Officers for the safe take-off and landing of all types of aircraft at Greek Airports.
The rapid and frenzied growth in air-transportation, the development in telecommunications, the enormous growth of commuters and cargo and the establishment of new airports in our country, has created the need for specialization in the field, in the training and in the qualification of employees.
T/Officers have adapted excellently to the new conditions and today, with over 220 members, interspersed in airports throughout Athinai FIR, they provide their services, planning and advantageously operating aeronautical telecommunications 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Nowdays, the members of H.U.TE.O are the only certified personnel, to provide AFIS in 15 airports within ATHINAI FIR and ensure that flights are successfully carried out with safety, even in the most remote areas of Greece.

Services provided by H.U.TE.O members

• Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS)
• ATS Reporting Office (ARO)
• NOTAM Office (LGGG)
• AMHS/AFTN/CIDIN Operators
• Athinai Radio (122.850 MHz), Air-Ground and Ground-Ground Operators (5637/2989 KHz)

Training and requirements for Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer

All PE3/TE3 category Telecommunication Officers/AFIS Officers, hold a University or Techical Institute degree with additional:

• Two (2) months of basic training at the H.C.A.A. Certified Training Centre and successful completion of written examination process on the following components:
  • Basic ATS
  • Air Navigation Services
  • Aeronautical Communications
  • Basic Meteorology
  • Aviation Law and Procedures
  • Airport Operations, Management and Ground Procedures
  • Aviation English
• Successful completion of written examination for a Radio Operators Certificate issued by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks
• Hold a valid Class C Medical Certificate
• At least 120 hours On the Job Training (OJT) in Aerodrome location

Services provided by H.U.TE.O AFIS Officers

The main duty of Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer is the provision of aerodrome advisory services to traffic operating within, and in the vicinity of the Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ) for the scope of the safe and efficient conduct of aerodrome traffic. These services are delivered via voice communications and include the provision of the following information:

• Runway information and status
• Wind direction and speed
• Weather conditions and Altimeter settings (METAR) provided by local Met Office
• Air and ground traffic for aircraft inbound to, outbound from, transiting, or in the vicinity of the aerodrome.
• Clearances for departing IFR Flights obtained by ATS Sector
• Aerodrome conditions
• Other information such as hazardous situations, wildlife and bird activity, laser operations, etc.

Furthermore, an AFIS Officer is responsible for the following Aerodrome Services:

• ATS Reporting Office (ARO) Services
• Communication Services (AFTN Messages, Flight Plan Filing etc.)
• Aerodrome Alerting Services (Military, sanitary flights)
• Initiate NOTAM Proposals on Aerodrome Status/Facilities/Systems