The vast majority of controllers recruited for Hong Kong in the late 1990s were over 40,and all checked out.I was 37 at the time,and validated in the Tower at an airport the size of Gatwick,and thereafter Heathrow in about 5 weeks,after the course.
When returning to my old unit(Aberdeen) after 3 years it took a lot longer to validate at the unit,where I had most experience.
The reason was that the P.C. police had installed a new training regime,which was totally geared to cadets.There was no way that you could start at the 180 hours level.You had to go through all the hoops,which was a complete waste of time and rather insulting.
Still validated in the quickest time for the new nanny scheme,at the age of 41.
I have heard that certain NATS units used to take a dim view if you are over 40.Might still be the case.
