Originally Posted by HEATHROW DIRECTOR
Just curious - are AFISOs subject to regular assessment like ATCOs?
Yes - revlaidation every two years with either SRG or Local Examiner. Unit competency check at least once a year.
I think the big problem with attracting 'new blood' is that once you're a FISO there are limited opportunities for progression - by definition GA airfields won't have a massive career ladder to climb unlike NATS (
), so younger staff may leave to pusure other options.
It is a shame that CAA do not offer any method for FISOs to progress to ATCO without having to do the full course - there are a lot of similarities to an Aerodrome Visual Rating - there's a shortage of ATCOs, so why not encourage people to become FISOs, remain validated for say two years to gain experience and then offer self study / abridged college couse for ADV
As for pay - put it this way, better than a Trainee ATCO for NATS at college!
