ATC IssuesA place where pilots may enter the 'lions den' that is Air Traffic Control in complete safety and find out the answers to all those obscure topics which you always wanted to know the answer to but were afraid to ask.
Not sure exactly how long it takes, but there are current and recent Student ATCO's lurking on here who will be able to tell you, but from application, to aptitude tests, to interview (assuming you pass the aptitude tests!) to starting your course will certainly take a good few months.
Apart from NATS (College of ATC, Bournemouth), there is Bailbrook College near Bath, which is privately owned, but you will probably have to fork out a five-figure sum to pay for your training if you wish to train there. (there may be other training establishments but I don't know of them)
Good luck!
------------------ Work is the curse of the drinking classes!
[This message has been edited by Der Sim-Meister (edited 09 September 2000).]
One thing to bear in mind is that you must be 21 to hold certain ATC licences, so NATS time the start of your college course so you are old enough at the end of it (18 months or so down the line). When I did it many years ago the period between applying to job offer was about 11 months, with a further year to wait for a course - not sure how that compares to today.
One question - why the angry smillie? You only use that after you've been in the job a few years! (along with and )
Good luck - it's a very rewarding and worthwhile career.
I applied about June last year, and started in April this year, but don't base anything on that. Depends on how soon they will have a recruitment sesh near you - where tons of people turn up at a local hotel or whatever to take the initial tests (personality quiz, arithmetic, motivation paper etc). Some people I know took less time, some longer so it's hard to say.
Re. the age thing, I don't know what the restriction is that has to be met, I know it has something to do with the radar license, but there are a few school leavers at the college, some late 18's and early 19's. It's explained in the recruitment bumph as I recall anyway and they don't let you apply if you're too young, so don't worry.
I applied back in March/April this year - I took my initial aptitude tests back in August, and having passed through these I have my interviews in October. I belive that, if I get through the rest of the process, I should be on target for starting in the first half of next year - but, as people have said above me, this can change, so it's difficult to say!
Hope this is of some help... Good luck!
Jas.
[This message has been edited by Jas (edited 09 September 2000).]
Hey Bright-ling - at the risk of being labelled a hypocrite - don't pick on the puppy! The posts in the other thread were in good fun but that sounds a little vindictive.
If you get through the paper sift of applications you'll be invited for aptitude tests. You'll get the results within 10 working days.
If successful you'll be invited to interview a few weeks later. Interviewed by experienced ATCO then by personnel. Again results in 10 days or so.
CATC courses start 4 times a year in Jan, April, July & Oct. Due to age problem & radar rating you can't start a course until you are 18 yrs and 8 months old. If successful during selection you'll be given a start date to coincide with that age.
Just Starting Out as ATC! H E L P! 
smillie? You only use that after you've been in the job a few years! (along with 
and 
)
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