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Airservices Australia Psychometric Testing

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Airservices Australia Psychometric Testing

Old 10th Sep 2012, 06:32
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Fatty 182 and intransit:

I missed the start of your thread but mentioning tax and accountants, is this in relation to ATCs claiming flying against tax? I've been claiming since the 1970's.
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Old 11th Sep 2012, 06:59
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It's been said by those involved in the testing that it stands out like the proverbial when an applicant has been briefed and prepared. Not looked on favourably so you may very well damage your chances.
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Old 11th Sep 2012, 10:15
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assessment day

I agree with the fact that if you get briefed, it would probably be obvious... everything on the day, other than the behavioural interview and the repeat of the online tests was a complete surprise to me and glad it was.. Probably would've stressed out and panicked even more if I knew what was coming and tried to prepare for it...

Go in blind and have fun with it... That's what I did... Now I sit back and wait to find out if I made it or not...

They also don't give you any indication on how you went!
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Old 11th Sep 2012, 21:44
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Fujii: I had stated originally that ATCs can claim the cost of learning to fly on their tax returns, up to the PPL level which was what my housemate accountant/turned ATC said. Intransit said it was up to CPL.
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Old 12th Sep 2012, 03:09
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Just wanting to gauge how peoples' experiences with CASA have been. I had my DAME appointment on Friday and DAO on Monday. Both were all fine, so I'm not expecting any hiccups when the paperwork arrives at CASA (assuming it does!).
Mine went smoothly with no hiccups to report. I received my class 3 cert approx 3 weeks after my visit to the DAME/DAO. I harassed them every two days on the status of my application which I think helps (or at least did in my case).

The only area where you may experience some delay (assuming your med stats are all fine) is with processing payment. I was under the assumption that ASA would pay for the application straight away but, its much easier to just pay by credit card and then get reimbursed from ASA. That way, your application doesn't get held up with CASA accounting.

If you are on the January course you have plenty of time anyway.
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Old 12th Sep 2012, 05:10
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Fatty182

You can keep claiming long after you have your licence.
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Old 12th Sep 2012, 06:56
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Hi All,

Apologies if this has been written before, but can anyone provide feedback on the key differences between ATC within Air Services and RAAF?

I understand the systems used are different (ADATS and TAAATS), but was more interested in the training standards (which is better, and why) and the lifestyle differences (for those who've done both)?
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Old 12th Sep 2012, 09:00
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Oh my goodness, Airservices certainly don't spare anything when it comes to accommodation!

Five days and counting til D-Day and we're lodged at Quest Apartments - living the life!
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Old 13th Sep 2012, 10:38
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Yeah, that'll all go downhill soon :P Enjoy it while it lasts!
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Old 13th Sep 2012, 12:24
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Friends in ASA are just finishing booking their rec leave for 2015. That's right - not next year, or the year after, but the year after that.

Just a heads-up.

ap
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Old 13th Sep 2012, 14:41
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Haha Fatty182 - that sounds just like joining the AF as aircrew!

"oooh, this movie Top Gun looks kinda cool, I might give that a go..."

Not once did I see Ice or Mav. Not once.
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Old 14th Sep 2012, 08:55
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ATC app Stuff

Hi Guys,

I'm working on an app for ATC at the moment and I'm glad I found this forum! With regards to the education requirements, I noticed that they want passes in year 12 with maths... I completed year 12 in NSW with General Maths and I'm wondering if anyone knows if this is considered acceptable? I'm guessing not: they are usually referring to 2 unit maths with these kind of requirements.

Thanks!
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Old 14th Sep 2012, 20:46
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Hi Partridge42,

I am on the Jan 7th tower course, check your inbox.

Shaz
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Old 15th Sep 2012, 06:44
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Aluminium_persuader, where are your friends working? Brisbane Centre seems to work on booking leave only up to 18 months in advance, which is still pretty poor, but not the 3 years you quote. Just wondering who has it worse :P
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Old 15th Sep 2012, 08:44
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Impressions

Hi Kiwi Chick,

Congratulations on making it. I have just completed my assessment day & am currently undergoing the same torture as others...waiting to see if I am accepted or not.

Either way I was wondering that as you start your course on Monday would you be kind enough to post first impressions of your week and the course itself. I know from previous posts the first week will be busy as, as will no doubt the entire course, but from us out here waiting to know our fate a quick post from someone who made it will help out our wait.

Again congratulations and all the best over the next year and a half.

jcr737
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Old 15th Sep 2012, 10:47
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Sure thing jcr737, you're not the first one to ask me that

Given the nature of what I might be writing, and the wide audience of Pprune, I will probably do it via my blog... might be safer that way

And just keep with the mantra "no news is good news" otherwise the wait will drive you crazy!

Good luck, look forward to hearing how you got on!

Finch - I'm not sure what level of maths it is that you've gained, but my opinion for what it's worth: I'm real maths geek - very strong with numbers, figures and calculations off the top of my head (my partner calls me "Rainman"... ) and I found the maths test kept me on my toes.

Hey... maybe it's because I'm old, who knows? But I'd say if you're not confident with your maths skills, or if maths doesn't come naturally to you, you might find it a real challenge.

Anyone else's thoughts?

Last edited by kiwi chick; 15th Sep 2012 at 10:53. Reason: Forgot to say something :)
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Old 15th Sep 2012, 11:16
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jcr737,

The first week is all corporate induction and is dead set boring. If you've ever worked for a big company, it's same old, same old, but stretched out for a week.

Make the most of it, because then you get to week two.

On the first day you get examined on the pre-study stuff you've been stressing out about for the past few weeks, assuming you got the thumb-drive in time for you to even have a look at it. Then you get stuck into the theory. Then you can forget about having a break, not even on the weekends, because you'll be studying for at least one exam during each upcoming week, possibly two.

After two or three months of that, you're just hanging out to get into the sims to get away from the theory. A couple of weeks into the sims you're wishing you were back doing theory...

But seriously, if you put in the hard work and you have a head for what they're teaching you, you'll get through the theory. A very high percentage of my intake have university backgrounds and/or are pilots so the theory was not too bad. A lot of the subjects rely on you rote learning stuff to pass the exams, but there's also subjects that just rely on you understanding how things work, principles of flight and meteorology for example.

Once you get past the theory, after two or three months, depending on your stream, that's when you find out if you're actually cut out for the job, you start in the sims.

Imagine downloading a new computer game. You just start to get the hang of what key does what, etc, then the next day you go to play it and you find easy mode is blocked and you can only play intermediate mode. That's what the pace is like, at least on the tower stream.

As I said, a lot of people when they get into the sims, wish they were back doing theory.

The training is damned hard, way harder than the science degree I finished last year. Depending on when you start, don't expect a decent break until Christmas comes up, if it comes up during your training. At least in the military they get a break half way through their recruit course.

Don't get me wrong, a lot of my course mates are doing really well, but everyone of us has found it really hard. No-one will just breeze through it. Some people will slip through the selection process that are just not suited to the job as well.

I don't know a controller that doesn't reckon it's the best job in aviation, despite what they might say about the management.

Just make sure you go in with your eyes open, especially if, like me, you have to spend a lot of money to relocate for the job. As a trainee you're the absolute bottom of the food chain as far as Airservice sare concerned, despite the fact that controllers are core business. You'll get the best support ever from your instructors and local managers, but apart from that you're just another annoying expense to the bean counters in Canberra. If you have to relocate to Melbourne they'll pay you fuel expenses and put you up in the Quest at Flemington for a week. The ARFF trainees not only get their accommodation paid for during their training, they get free transport to and from work while they're down here.

Anyway, <rant off>. I'm not trying to put you off applying, just giving you an idea of what it's like realistically as a trainee. Also trying to say to those that have followed this thread for a while and were unsuccessful last time they tried to get in, maybe it was for the best
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Old 15th Sep 2012, 11:32
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Um OK thanks Steve I'm totally kacking myself now.


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Old 15th Sep 2012, 12:05
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Hang in there!

Hi Steve,

Well all I can say is hang in there.... It sounds exactly like my training was in Canada.. Except in Canada, you don't get paid while you're at the academy... oh and you have to pay either 1000$, 2500$ or 3500$ depending on your stream.. Not sure if the $ amounts are correct for today, but I remember paying my $1000 to do my flight service specialist course.

I also remember being housed at the training institute where we had a bed and meals supplied. Nowadays, that training institute is closed and you still pay your money, earn 0$ and have to study your a$$ off in order to avoid being cease trained.. Or CT'd as we called it.

No doubt in the world the training and studying is 24/7! It's how I did it... I maybe had 1 weekend off and that was the last one of the course where all the exams were done and the last 2 days were postings, admin stuff and graduation.

I applied because I too believe ATC or air traffic services is the best job in the world. And I will be quite crushed if I didn't pass the assessment day.

That being said, I wish everyone good luck in the selection process and with the training.. But, if you don't truly want this... don't do it, because you won't survive the basic training.
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Old 15th Sep 2012, 12:18
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Canadiangal, so are you a Canadian qualified controller? If so why do you have to apply to train again, can't you just apply for a job?

In New Zealand, you don't get paid while training, you pay FOR the training, and it's around $12,000 - that's why Kiwis are jumping the ditch to do it over here.

Well, that, and I like the weather and cheap food too.
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