Originally Posted by Angrel
actually, 'normal' FOA's can go the controller route if they have the apptitude but it takes about twice as long as FOA's (ATC).
Hhhhmmmm, I just had a discussion with a couple of FOA's at work to confirm my understanding. As of last year it is highly unlikely that an FOA could become a controller. None of them will have done the aptitude test (unless they're already annotated Q-ATC) and there should be no reason for the RAF to explore their capabilities when they already have FOA(ATC) ready to do the JATCC.
Looks like the RAF will rename the FOA(ATC) next year to ATCA (Air Traffic Control Assistant?), although FOA's can still work in towers. From Scan's post they appear to have been renamed already, although the guys at the coal face aren't aware of it yet, awaiting a visit from the trade sponsor.
I think they should go full circle and make them AATC's again, like what I was when I joined up
BD