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.
A quick question for those at the academy (and apologies if this has been answered) - what is the scheduling like for the course? Is it similar to, say, a school term with ten weeks on, one off etc?
I think that's actually a new question for a change
I'm in my 10th week now (I think, I've lost count). The enroute guys (and girl) have started their sim stuff, we tower guys have another week of theory at the academy, then almost a week at the BoM training school. After that, I know not what, but it won't be a break. It'll most likely be in the sim.
Pretty much the only breaks you will get will be public holidays and the week between Christmas and new year while you're training. Once you start, don't plan on going on holidays until after you rate.
Once you start, don't plan on going on holidays until after you rate.
And ideally not for at least several months after that to allow consolidation. Assuming you can even get leave. After rating you get checked again at 3 months and at 6 months, with no allowance really possible for any time away. It's a long hard slog that's for sure, particularly if things don't go smoothly.
Just wait it out - took a bit over three weeks from my phone interview to receive an invite to an assessment centre. In the interim, my status said the same thing... Best of luck!
I'm starting on the 17th September on the Melbourne Enroute course (72), JaeJae looks like we might be course mates.
Re the timing of everything, Skyflyz pretty much told my story!
I did the Assessment Centre in Sydney on the 6th March, and I was told I was successful on the 29th May (I remember the phone call very vividly!).
I too had been told on the assessment day that I should hear within three weeks, so it was a little disconcerting but I remained positive and figured "no news is good news".
I received my memory stick in yesterday's mail and I'm slightly panicked by the sheer volume of stuff. But, hey... one page at a time right?
Would like to hear from anyone else on my course, and JaeJae... were you by chance at my assessment day? Cos I think I know who you are
Last edited by kiwi chick; 18th Aug 2012 at 04:20.
Reason: sp mistake
Kiwichick, dont stress too much about the sheer volume of stuff. Just concentrate on the areas it lists in the study guide which is on your usb as well. If you can get a handle on that stuff you will be fine. You will do a test at the end of your first week on the content, but its pretty easy, all multiple choice and doesnt actually count for anything anyway, its just designed to see where your at! To put it in perspective on the course I am on one guy didnt start studying until the week we actually started because he was too busy trying to move house and he still did really well with the exam at the end of the first week
Thanks Cadetkid! I must admit it's a little less daunting when I break it down chapter-by-chapter, rather than look at the 2,168 pages as a whole, lol.
How many people are generally on each course, is there a rough average?
How many people are generally on each course, is there a rough average?
Enroute, there are usually 8-10, anymore than that the sims start to get a bit full. One of the current courses got split into two for that reason. Tower is usually four people. You'll probably start off with a combined enroute and tower group, then split after about 10 weeks.
Hi kiwi chick and stevep64, good to hear its not impossible to make it now that Supa Oldies tournaments are my remaining age group for sports...
I did my assessment day in Brisbane earlier this year and was offered a place in MEL in Aug-Sept. However, I had to decline that offer and wait for the next course in Brisbane - supposed to start in May next year. Hope it does, I'm too old to wait much longer !
Is anyone else waiting for the Brisbane course yet? Someone wrote recently having been told over the phone there are no courses planned for Brisbane....?? Hope that's a misunderstanding
