WX Man
23rd Mar 2002, 14:09
It's not just NATS that recruits Ab Initio ATCers, Eurocontrol does too, and here's what their selection process entails.. .. .You can download an application form from <a href="http://www.eurocontrol.int/jobs/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.eurocontrol.int/jobs/index.html</a> . You will need to send in the application form with a certificate of visual performance, so you'll need to book an appointment with an optician. Also look at this to see if you meet the basic requirements (like age etc).. .. .You will, if you meet all the basic requirements, be invited to Maastricht UAC for aptitude testing. No other selection takes place at this time. They will reimburse your ticket (in cash, in Eurobucks), so no worries there. They will also put you up hotel next to the airport, and send a taxi to collect you and take you to Eurocontrol if you want.. .. .The aptitude tests are entirely computer based. There's not a lot you can do to prepare for them, other than get a good night's sleep the night before. You could probably improve your mental arithmetic by just not being lazy and using a calculator whenever you need to work something out, or even by doing a lot of Dist/Spd/Time calculations and addition and subtraction.. .. .As for the spatial perception and awareness, the ability to work under pressure and the short term memory testing, there probably isn't a lot you can do to prepare. You can either do it or you can't.. .. .Once you've done the aptitude tests, you get a score. You need to get above a certain level to pass, and then you need to be in the top 12 scores that month to get invited back for phase 2 selection. However, if you're not in the top 12, you get put on a 'reserve list'. If anyone declines to go to phase 2 selection, or if they don't have enough people who pass in a subsequent month, you will get invited back.. .. .At the phase 2 selection, they test things like your ability to communicate and work in a group. This is actually quite good fun. They give you some basic info about these when they write to you to invite you back for selection. I won't describe them here as they are more likely to be the most reliable source!. .. .You also have a visit to the Ops room (pay attention), an interview, and a medical. In the interview, they will obviously be assessing your motivation for the career. So if you're really motivated, you'll know how to prepare for it won't you?. .. .The chap who handles the recruitment will, at the end of the phase, tell you when you can expect to know by. They recruit 20 people to train at the Institute of Air Navigation Services (IANS) in Luxembourg about every 6 months. There are 12 every month that get to phase 2 selection, and between 40 and 60 who get to phase 1 selection (note: these figures are what I was quoted, they could change from month to month as EC's requirements vary).. .. .So the selection's over, and you've got a nice letter from Maastricht UAC telling you that you are going to Luxembourg. You may or may not get a start date then, so don't chuck in your day job just yet! You may have to wait a while, or it may be very short notice. They will send you a list of accomodation. There is not very much on their list in Lux. city, but there are one or two in Kirchberg, near IANS. There's a few a little further out (10-15 mins drive), and more towards the German border. The European Parliament also have a [longer] list that may be of some use to the soon-to-be student ATCO.. .. .However, finding accomodation in Luxembourg is not easy. If you are REALLY short of time, then the Youth Hostel is about 25 mins walk from IANS, and this costs about 18 Eurobucks a night. You can stay here whilst looking for something else, and you probably won't be the only one at the YHA doing that! You do need to book fairly well in advance for that, though, so a cheap hotel might be your option (find one in a Lonely Planet guide to Belgium and Luxembourg).. .. .Flatshares are not very easy to come by, unless you speak German (look in the Luxemburger Wort). You may find something in the Luxembourg News, the local English Language news magazine. Also look in Sparky's, the internet cafe just off the main city centre square. There are LOADS of Brits and Irish in Luxembourg, so just ask around in their local hangouts like Liquid (down in the Grund) and The Tube (near the Palace).. .. .The training itself is by no means a walk in the park. Once the selection process is over, the hard work really starts! There is a lot to learn, especially for someone who doesn't have an aviation background. You need to work hard... I reckon I do at least 3 hours a day on top of actual taught material.. .. .The teaching is very good indeed. The content, unlike the JAR ATPL, seems to be relavent to the job. All the instructors are very committed to sending you to Maastricht UAC with a very good basis to start your 'On Job Training'. Your fellow students and the other students at IANS will also help you feel at home, and are universally a great bunch!. .. .Everyone at IANS who 'prunes' has probably got me figured out by now. Maybe that's not such a bad thing. If you're reading this with a view to applying, then good luck and you'll know who to buy a beer when you get to Luxembourg/Maastricht!