Air Traffic Controllers
Discussion
Hello,
I have applied to be a Air Traffic Controllers through NATS as I thought the career looked really interesting and I have had a long standing interest in all things flying.
I have passed both sets of online tests and have now been invited to an assessment day in Southampton sometime in September.
What should I be expecting on the day, interviews, tests? Is it hard?
Also, what is it like after the test day of you pass? I'm talking from the college part right through to being fully qualified and having a career.
Many thanks,
Bob
I have applied to be a Air Traffic Controllers through NATS as I thought the career looked really interesting and I have had a long standing interest in all things flying.
I have passed both sets of online tests and have now been invited to an assessment day in Southampton sometime in September.
What should I be expecting on the day, interviews, tests? Is it hard?
Also, what is it like after the test day of you pass? I'm talking from the college part right through to being fully qualified and having a career.
Many thanks,
Bob
It's really easy, you just clear aircraft to land and take off and go direct to some place where the next air traffic controller takes over your mess. If you make a mistake it's the pilots that get the blame anyway. If you're really dedicated you might learn how to say good morning/evening/afternoon in some different languages.
There's ATC guys on here (all the time) they're clearly just sitting at work posting about cars and chicks and how boring it must be being a pilot all day.
There's ATC guys on here (all the time) they're clearly just sitting at work posting about cars and chicks and how boring it must be being a pilot all day.
http://www.pprune.org/atc-issues-18/
I'm not sure if you've seen this forum you might find some useful info, other than the useful info i've posted earlier, in there.
I'm not sure if you've seen this forum you might find some useful info, other than the useful info i've posted earlier, in there.
I am far too old to become an air traffic controller but how does it work?
For example Gatwich, Heathrow, Stnstead etc all have ATC, and I believe many smaller airfields like Blackbushe do. Do you need the same qualifications for each? Do you start at a small airfiled and work up to a major airport or do you opt out of the rat race and drop down to small airfield when had enough of the stress of a large airport?
Oh and what abot Swanick?
For example Gatwich, Heathrow, Stnstead etc all have ATC, and I believe many smaller airfields like Blackbushe do. Do you need the same qualifications for each? Do you start at a small airfiled and work up to a major airport or do you opt out of the rat race and drop down to small airfield when had enough of the stress of a large airport?
Oh and what abot Swanick?
kapiteinlangzaam said:
wot he sed ^^^^^
I consider myself one step up from a trained monkey
In all seriousness, I cant help much with the specific NATS side of things, as they failed me on the 1st assessment - I am now an area controller with Eurocontrol @ MUAC - your better paid and far sexier colleagues on the 'wrong' side of the water
If you have any general area control questions, id be happy to help out. One of the primary differences with NATS of course is that you might end up being a TWR or APP controller, I cant help much with that - its all gibberish to me.
El Stovey is correct in saying that a controller judges him/herself purely upon how many languages they can say good morning in.
You can also look forwards to pilots calling you 'SIR' - yes indeedy!
I'm currently in a flight operations/air traffic assistant role but looking out for a new job. What skills/background are eurocontrol generally after?I consider myself one step up from a trained monkey
In all seriousness, I cant help much with the specific NATS side of things, as they failed me on the 1st assessment - I am now an area controller with Eurocontrol @ MUAC - your better paid and far sexier colleagues on the 'wrong' side of the water
If you have any general area control questions, id be happy to help out. One of the primary differences with NATS of course is that you might end up being a TWR or APP controller, I cant help much with that - its all gibberish to me.
El Stovey is correct in saying that a controller judges him/herself purely upon how many languages they can say good morning in.
You can also look forwards to pilots calling you 'SIR' - yes indeedy!
Chrisgr31 said:
I am far too old to become an air traffic controller but how does it work?
For example Gatwich, Heathrow, Stnstead etc all have ATC, and I believe many smaller airfields like Blackbushe do. Do you need the same qualifications for each? Do you start at a small airfiled and work up to a major airport or do you opt out of the rat race and drop down to small airfield when had enough of the stress of a large airport?
Oh and what abot Swanick?
It's just a bloke in a shed at Headcorn. I think his name is Roger, as that's what everyone says to him. He sometimes pretends he can see out of his window when he's not drinking his tea, which is nice.For example Gatwich, Heathrow, Stnstead etc all have ATC, and I believe many smaller airfields like Blackbushe do. Do you need the same qualifications for each? Do you start at a small airfiled and work up to a major airport or do you opt out of the rat race and drop down to small airfield when had enough of the stress of a large airport?
Oh and what abot Swanick?
mattdaniels said:
It's just a bloke in a shed at Headcorn. I think his name is Roger, as that's what everyone says to him. He sometimes pretends he can see out of his window when he's not drinking his tea, which is nice.
In the old days (1990s ;-)) I think a chap called Chris Freeman ran the place and I was night stopping in a nearby pub. On landing and wanting to make an early getaway the following morning I enquired on the R/T about the opening time to which the immediate response came back "depends on the size of the bottle". A legend.This is creepy, I was just thinking about the same thing today and after finding the NATS website myself, was going to ask the same thing.
I've always wanted to be a pilot, but at 24, I think I've realised that, realistically, it's never going to happen.
I started a part-time physics degree earlier this year and I've been wondering about what it could lead to career wise, and air traffic controller was one thing I had in mind.
However, I have a family to support and I couldn't really leave my job, without going into another paid position. From what it sounds like, the NATS program (if you pass all the criteria) involves going to a college where, of course, you won't be paid?
I suppose if a decision was made, we could cope on my partners wage, but then the website also doesn't mention anything about paying for the college course. Does it cost anything and if so, how much?
Finally, if the answer to all the above is yes, are there any types of graduate programs, where after a getting a degree, you're paid whilst in training?
I've always wanted to be a pilot, but at 24, I think I've realised that, realistically, it's never going to happen.
I started a part-time physics degree earlier this year and I've been wondering about what it could lead to career wise, and air traffic controller was one thing I had in mind.
However, I have a family to support and I couldn't really leave my job, without going into another paid position. From what it sounds like, the NATS program (if you pass all the criteria) involves going to a college where, of course, you won't be paid?
I suppose if a decision was made, we could cope on my partners wage, but then the website also doesn't mention anything about paying for the college course. Does it cost anything and if so, how much?
Finally, if the answer to all the above is yes, are there any types of graduate programs, where after a getting a degree, you're paid whilst in training?
TheTurbonator said:
This is creepy, I was just thinking about the same thing today and after finding the NATS website myself, was going to ask the same thing.
I've always wanted to be a pilot, but at 24, I think I've realised that, realistically, it's never going to happen.
I started a part-time physics degree earlier this year and I've been wondering about what it could lead to career wise, and air traffic controller was one thing I had in mind.
However, I have a family to support and I couldn't really leave my job, without going into another paid position. From what it sounds like, the NATS program (if you pass all the criteria) involves going to a college where, of course, you won't be paid?
I suppose if a decision was made, we could cope on my partners wage, but then the website also doesn't mention anything about paying for the college course. Does it cost anything and if so, how much?
Finally, if the answer to all the above is yes, are there any types of graduate programs, where after a getting a degree, you're paid whilst in training?
You are paid around 10k a year whilst at college. I also desperately want(ed) to be a pilot but it can't happen. This sounded really interesting.I've always wanted to be a pilot, but at 24, I think I've realised that, realistically, it's never going to happen.
I started a part-time physics degree earlier this year and I've been wondering about what it could lead to career wise, and air traffic controller was one thing I had in mind.
However, I have a family to support and I couldn't really leave my job, without going into another paid position. From what it sounds like, the NATS program (if you pass all the criteria) involves going to a college where, of course, you won't be paid?
I suppose if a decision was made, we could cope on my partners wage, but then the website also doesn't mention anything about paying for the college course. Does it cost anything and if so, how much?
Finally, if the answer to all the above is yes, are there any types of graduate programs, where after a getting a degree, you're paid whilst in training?
All I want to know now is what to expect of the evaluation day.
You may as well try it though mate.
kapiteinlangzaam said:
It doesn't really matter at the moment anyway as Eurocontrol have a temporary recruitment hiatus 
Also, flying in the face of all European legislation regarding age discrimination, Eurocontrol still enforce a strict upper age limit of 25yrs on commencement of training. Im still not sure how they get away with it.
Also, flying in the face of all European legislation regarding age discrimination, Eurocontrol still enforce a strict upper age limit of 25yrs on commencement of training. Im still not sure how they get away with it.kapiteinlangzaam said:
TheTurbonator said:
What are the hours and shift patterns like during training and after you're fully qualified?
Basic training is often 9-5 mon-fri. Advanced training is 'hands on' so follows the shift pattern of your coach.The standard shift pattern for us is 4 on, 2 off - working gross 180 shifts per year. Leave days depend on age etc, but its about 42 days per year.
A normal shift is 7.5hrs long, with a max 5.5hrs actually working on position (2hrs max at a time). The earliest morning shifts are slightly shorter at 6.5 and 7hrs long. A night shift counts for two day shifts and is 23.00-07.30. We also get about 5 stand by at home duties per year.
During quiet periods you dont have to do a full shift, being granted late comes or early goes, depending on the traffic situations.
Actual working time (bum on seat, talking to a plane) is about 18-20hrs per week, being at work in total for between 23-25hrs - so not half bad!
It can take its toll (oh, poor us :hehe) if you finish a busy shift at 23.00 its often 2am before you can sleep, before potentially getting up again at 8 am to go do it again. Repeat that over a few weeks work in busy traffic and you can soon turn in to a grumpy, stressed git!
You can also have custom and part-time rosters to suit your family needs. We have plenty of people commuting in from Scandinavia, Spain and E. Europe - and even one nutcase who flies in from Australia!
The best thing about the job is that its bloody good fun, and doesnt feel like working at all
Would you reccomend I finish my physics degree before applying or try applying now without it?
kapiteinlangzaam said:
Basic training is often 9-5 mon-fri. Advanced training is 'hands on' so follows the shift pattern of your coach.
The standard shift pattern for us is 4 on, 2 off - working gross 180 shifts per year. Leave days depend on age etc, but its about 42 days per year.
A normal shift is 7.5hrs long, with a max 5.5hrs actually working on position (2hrs max at a time). The earliest morning shifts are slightly shorter at 6.5 and 7hrs long. A night shift counts for two day shifts and is 23.00-07.30. We also get about 5 stand by at home duties per year.
During quiet periods you dont have to do a full shift, being granted late comes or early goes, depending on the traffic situations.
Actual working time (bum on seat, talking to a plane) is about 18-20hrs per week, being at work in total for between 23-25hrs - so not half bad!
It can take its toll (oh, poor us) if you finish a busy shift at 23.00 its often 2am before you can sleep, before potentially getting up again at 8 am to go do it again. Repeat that over a few weeks work in busy traffic and you can soon turn in to a grumpy, stressed git!
You can also have custom and part-time rosters to suit your family needs. We have plenty of people commuting in from Scandinavia, Spain and E. Europe - and even one nutcase who flies in from Australia!
The best thing about the job is that its bloody good fun, and doesnt feel like working at all
And I thought we had it easy! The standard shift pattern for us is 4 on, 2 off - working gross 180 shifts per year. Leave days depend on age etc, but its about 42 days per year.
A normal shift is 7.5hrs long, with a max 5.5hrs actually working on position (2hrs max at a time). The earliest morning shifts are slightly shorter at 6.5 and 7hrs long. A night shift counts for two day shifts and is 23.00-07.30. We also get about 5 stand by at home duties per year.
During quiet periods you dont have to do a full shift, being granted late comes or early goes, depending on the traffic situations.
Actual working time (bum on seat, talking to a plane) is about 18-20hrs per week, being at work in total for between 23-25hrs - so not half bad!
It can take its toll (oh, poor us
) if you finish a busy shift at 23.00 its often 2am before you can sleep, before potentially getting up again at 8 am to go do it again. Repeat that over a few weeks work in busy traffic and you can soon turn in to a grumpy, stressed git!You can also have custom and part-time rosters to suit your family needs. We have plenty of people commuting in from Scandinavia, Spain and E. Europe - and even one nutcase who flies in from Australia!
The best thing about the job is that its bloody good fun, and doesnt feel like working at all
I knew you lot only worked an a couple of hours in the seat but that sounds like a great lifestyle. With regard to finishing late and starting relatively early, do you have a 'minimum rest' requirement like we do? I just wouldn't turn up to work if I got some shut eye at 2 am to go in for 8.Never heard an Oz accent on the RT, think I've heard you talking but trying to decide if it's a Yorkshire accent is too difficult, you sure you've not been 'assimilated'
About to have a play
http://www.nats.co.uk/careers/atc/games/
Trouble is I'm 50 so way too old, by the sound of it.
http://www.nats.co.uk/careers/atc/games/
Trouble is I'm 50 so way too old, by the sound of it.
kapiteinlangzaam said:
Working on NET salary, I believe NATS is around 1/2 the salary of Eurocontrol.
Like I mentioned earlier, Eurocontrol pay the equivalent of about £60k gross during the later stages of training with no qualifications.....!
Id guesstimate the av. gross salary for a NATS Swanwick ACC controller is about £60-70k (it will vary a lot depending on time served etc), (although I could easily be wrong about that)! - I believe NATS controllers top out at about £100-120k gross after 20yrs or so.
Depending on exchange rates and exact tax situations etc etc you earn more than £100k gross from day dot at EC - after 20yrs service with a wife/kids etc £200-250k+ gross is easily possible here. You get some nice touches like school fees paid for too.
Apart from the responsibility aspect yada, yada - the high salary also compensates for the fact that there is almost zero job portability within ATC. If EC ever goes tits up, I am in a lot of trouble! Its not like you can walk out of one ATC centre and get a job at another - its a HUGE thing to try and change centres, even during good times.
Sorry if I'm nagging a bit, but I'm finding your posts very interesting and informative. Would you mind explaining further why changing centres is difficult? Would it not be possible to say to get trained by NATS and then after qualifying, change over to EC?Like I mentioned earlier, Eurocontrol pay the equivalent of about £60k gross during the later stages of training with no qualifications.....!
Id guesstimate the av. gross salary for a NATS Swanwick ACC controller is about £60-70k (it will vary a lot depending on time served etc), (although I could easily be wrong about that)! - I believe NATS controllers top out at about £100-120k gross after 20yrs or so.
Depending on exchange rates and exact tax situations etc etc you earn more than £100k gross from day dot at EC - after 20yrs service with a wife/kids etc £200-250k+ gross is easily possible here. You get some nice touches like school fees paid for too.
Apart from the responsibility aspect yada, yada - the high salary also compensates for the fact that there is almost zero job portability within ATC. If EC ever goes tits up, I am in a lot of trouble! Its not like you can walk out of one ATC centre and get a job at another - its a HUGE thing to try and change centres, even during good times.
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