The APC route is open to you to undertake from the moment you begin your spell of resettlement/terminal leave etc. Obviously it pays to apply for a course and up to date details well in advance thereby having some say in when you start the course
NATS are generally good in that they will make a deal whereby you pay for your Aerodrome course, then they will sponsor you through the Approach Radar or Area course, dpending on what you want to do. You will normally be able to state a preference as to where you would like to be posted, and if you accept, this will be written into the 'contract' and you will be one of the only students to know where they are to be posted for sure! Your NATS employment doesn't actually start until you arrive at your unit after completing CATC, so try and arrange to do as much of your training during resettlement/terminal leave!
Unfortunately, Aberdeen is a big bug bear at CATC just now as they have one of the biggest requirements for controllers. However they can only take so many TATC's at any one time, and NATS are open to a reasonable amount of negotiation. *Waits for influx of backlash*
The best guy to contact to get more info I guess would be
Student Liasion Officer
National Air Traffic Services Ltd
College of Air Traffic Control
Bournemouth International Airport
CHRISTCHURCH
Dorset
BH23 6DF
Tel 01202 472323
He should have most of the up to date details on costs and availability.
As for work to prepare yourself...apart from day to day work, there is not a lot you can do as "Seaton International" is a law unto itself and tends to be a little unrealistic in order to get the training objectives in!. Perhaps find a copy of Manual Of Air Traffic Services Pt 1 or the CAA RT Handbook just to get used to the civvy phraseology. This is one of the biggest hurdles to overcome as an ex military controller. Civil phraseology seems quite verbose by comparison.
Hope this helps
[This message has been edited by Dunx (edited 10 November 2000).]