On PPL flying for ATCOs.....
As I have said before in this thread, NATS ATCOs who have been posted to work at an airfield, or have done the Approach Radar rating and will will at a Terminal Control unit, do still get the 15 hours of flying.
Those who do the area course now spend an extended visit to the BA simulator facility at Cranebank, learning how multi engine jet a/c fly.
Some pilots on this thread appear to think that all UK ATCOs used to receive PPL training. Incorrect, only those employed by NATS. The majority of ATCOs who work at non-NATS units will not have done any PPL training as part of their ATCO training, unless they are ex-NATS.