Tower/Approach in Germany?

[ATCSinFL]

Hello. I was just wondering about the prospects of working in Germany as an ATCS. I've been a controller in the states for over ten years. My wife is German and is missing it there. Has anybody heard of any US controllers getting hired over there for Tower/Approach?

[Spitoon]

I think it's Austrocontrol you need to speak to. Strange I know, but I think they have the contract for many of the airports in Germany.

I've no idea what their recruitment policy is I'm afraid but your problem might be that you'll need to have a European licence - and getting one of those is no easy matter these days!

[pdcta]

Have a look here:

http://www.dfs.de/dfs/internet_2008/...owerlotsen.pdf

DFS is looking for experienced controlloer all over the world. German is mandatory for Tower or to manage Lower Airspaces.

[RobertK]

I think it's Austrocontrol you need to speak to. Strange I know, but I think they have the contract for many of the airports in Germany.

Some of the small regional airports, none of the (16) international ones.
The 16 international towers are all staffed by DFS, 9 of the regional towers are staffed by a subsidiary, The Tower Company.

Regards,

Robert

[ATCSinFL]

European license?

Where would I find information on these? Do you know if it a series of exams or is it a whole, long, drawn out course as if I am somebody new to the job? I know things go differently over there and that I would obviously need to learn the different standards. But aside from that, being a controller is being a controller.

[Alivebas]

License etc..

Hi ATCSinFL,

I recently applied for a job as an ATCO with DFS. It involved testing at their facility in Germany, Bremen in my case. They want to see if you fit the profile.

I completed my tests succesfully, and I now need to take up ATC training for about 15 months, starting with a 4 + 1 months theoretical + sim training in the DFS campus in Langen. After that I go for another 10 months to the facility I got assigned to.

DFS is responsoble for the 16 international airfields in Germany, and that's where the tower controllers are stationed. Approach and Low Level Area controllers will work in their centers (like a Tracon actually) in Langen, Munchen or Bremen. The area controllers for the High Level Area are working in Karlsruhe.

It's a must to perform this conversion, as the German airspace is one of the most complex airspaces in the world. I live and work in Belgium, and will start my course in september.

Hope this helps you a bit. You can also do a search on this forum for "DFS", or "Deutsche Flugsicherung", where you will come up with some answers to the questions you might have.

If you need further information, please PM me.

[Spitoon]

But aside from that, being a controller is being a controller.

Being But a controller is being a controller. Getting a European license is something else these days!

The UK CAA published a document that describes the process - CAP 744. The document is based on the process that is supposed to be applied across the EU so I guess it will be similar in Germany.

[Z.Wierzak]

The Tower Company GmbH? Austro Control?

Hear ye! Hear ye!
I would like to revive this thread and somewhat expand it.

I am a Polish ATCO working in EPBY (TWR/APP), 5 years experience, fluent German, planning to move to Germany and continue my work there, preferably regional airport. Can anyone share their experience concerning Direct Entry in The Tower Company GmbH or Austro Control? Some of the things I'd like to know:

1) Does the process also involve theoretical and sim training in Langen as mentioned by Alivebas?
2) What are average monthly salaries with these two companies?
3) Which airports have "self-certified" tower like Hamburg Finkenwerder?
4) Anything else that can help...?

Of course you can PM me, if you don't feel like sharing the info with general public

PS Alivebas, ATCSinFL - how did it go, guys?!