petedavis

Is there a certain number of years return service with NATS after passing the college course? Surely there must be otherwise people who didn't get a posting they wanted would just disappear after validation. Or am I wrong?

timelapse

Nope there's no bonding at all..

smellysnelly2004

On the Area side of things there really isn't much of an issue with bonding (provided people are planning on staying in the UK) as you would have to work for NATS regardless.
For airports/aerodromes then yes, I suppose you could argue that you get posted somewhere you didn't like and bugger off - but if you were training with NATS then presumably your preferred posting was at a NATS airport who are unlikely to take you after walking out on another NATS unit.

Gonzo

Also bear in mind that if you leave before validating, then technically you don't even have a rating to be able to sell yourself with. I think you need the have started an SRG approved unit training plan within one year of finishing the course.

petedavis

Gonzo, I've noticed reading this thread that you conduct stage 3 interviews? Is this something you still do and if so, at which locations? Also are you open to bribes?

Gonzo

• I do
• I can be anywhere
• Yes.

Two of the above are true.

petedavis

Well the third was a joke!
Any tips on what you look for in the interviews?

Gonzo

Well, I have written at length throughout this thread on things I like to see....preparation being a good starting point.

To be honest, the other areas we look for are characteristics that you either have or you don't have.

I don't think that the interviews we run are any different to any other, so the sort of things every interview candidate should be doing before an interview will stand you in good stead......doesn't mean you'll be successful of course, I could be faced with the best prepared candidate in the world but (s)he might not get through because of other factors.

timelapse

Just to update something Gonzo said.. it's 6 months now - between completing a rating course and starting a unit training plan.. otherwise you have to do an APC (a few days back at the college to remind you/prove to instructor that you can still do it all!) before you can begin the training at a later date...and that's provided that your student licence hasn't expired! (2 years).

So yeah, you'd want to be getting valid!

timhan0

I'm potentially applying in 2009, been following this thread recently.

One aspect I'd like someone to elaborate upon is the 1st stage tests where I have read people explaining about questions such as:

aircraft is 'xx' miles/km from an airport, travelling at 'xx' knots descending 'xx' feet etc will it make it to the airport?

I understand the DST triangle formula will be involved but could anyone here please provide a clear example (or two!).

timelapse

Aircraft 40 nautical miles away, at 30,000 ft descending at 3000ft per minute and travelling at 240 knots.. can it make it?


240 knots = 4 miles per minute, which means 10 minutes to get the 40 miles to the airport.

3000 feet per minute for 10 minutes means a descent of 30,000 feet.

So in this scenario - depending on the wind, the phase of the moon, etcetc and how much luck the pilot had, and if his callsign was BAW038 or not.. he might just make the runway. Just.

For example :P

fabrifx

I'd like to ask a question to you all, maybe Gonzo might be the most suitable person to answer but any information would be greatly appreciated..
I'd like to know whether european citizens can participate in the NATS selection or not. I already tried Eurocontrol and I passed all the tests, group tests but unfortunately I wasn't successful at the interview..I am currently undergoing an ATC selection here in Italy but the process is very very slow as it could take as much as one year and a half from the first test to the medical tests so I was thinking of applying for NATS too..Does anybody know if it's possible? Thanx!

Gonzo

As it says on the NATS careers website, as long as you have the right to live and work in the EU, you'll be fine.

fabrifx

Thank you for the quick reply Gonzo! I asked the question because the NATS website isn't completly compatible with my browser(Firefox on a Linux operating system) so I can't find all the information I need..I guess I'll have to install Explorer..
So I'm going to start making a search on the net to know what it takes to obtain a work permit in UK! Thanx again and good luck to everyone!

timelapse

I might be wrong but I think as a resident of a country subscribed to the EU, you can live&work in any EU country as you please.. Standing by to be corrected though.

shanemoloney

can any one help me? i am due to take the inital test for nats soon and just want to know other than spaial awareness, what other things are in it i.e. algebra etc

stu_h

Shane,

Worth a read through the thread as there are posts with alot more detail, but in brief:

All sections are multiple choice.

1 - Numerical and Alphabetical checking.
Depends on how your brain is wired, but personally I liked these as a bit of a warm-up. Basic test to find the answer that matches. For example, you may be given :AGHN and the choices could be:
AGNH, ANGH, AGHN, ANHG

Starts out with 4 or 5 letters, working up to I think it's 9?
Repeat the exercise again, except for numbers. 5 mins to do each section.

2 - Spacial awareness. 3 sets of cubes and too little time!
The first cube isn't too bad, the next slightly worse, the third is just evil

3 - Diagrammatic Checking.
You'll start with a stack of 4 symbols. Next to each is an instruction (eg, reverse the shape, swap it with the one below etc). You'll then be presented with options as to how the shape should look. For example:






If the instructions next to the top three smileys above said swap with the one below, you would eventually get:






(That better be right!)

50 of these, again against the clock, and they get alot more complicated than the example above.

Think that about covers it. Good luck!

hatemyjob

1 day to go until my first test day.



I have a horrible feeling I've not prepared enough.

1967kev

Hi everyone,

Just a quick note to say that I had a visit to Glasgow tower today and it was excellent, extremely helpful. Combined with my visit to "Scottish" last week, I now feel confident and almost ready for my final interview.

I would strongly recommend visiting a tower or control centre or both. The guys there are excelent and willing to answer any questions you have, which is obviously a massive help when your final interview is looming. If anyone is in the Glasgow area and are looking to visit either Glasgow tower or Prestwick, you can PM me and I'll give you the details of contacts.

Kevin

petedavis

Hmmm I'm in a bit of a situation here. Had a visit booked at prestwick but it has been cancelled due to manning shortages. With such a short time until my final interview and no scope for any extra time off work, I am worried this will have a negative impact on the 'preparation' side of my interview. I currently work in a RAF control tower, and have visited 3 others, but no area centre. Any advice? Is an ACC visit a must?