Trying to answer multiple questions in one post... look out for your name!
Marco888: There should always be some dates on the system for Stage 3, but not for all locations. I was in a hurry to have my Stage 3 since I'd already been offered other jobs, so went to Manchester instead of waiting for a Glasgow date 4-6 weeks later. NATS are ok with this, and you can claim expenses wherever you choose to go.
Abz217:
http://natscareers.co.uk/docs/test_materials.doc is what you're looking for.
Dave Z: Sorry to hear you didn't make it. Have you had any feedback from HR? I understand it's usually pretty helpful.
Jacka27: I know it might seem that you wasted a lot of time on the aircraft info for Stage 1, but questions get more specific as you go on and it's easier to learn this stuff over time rather than cramming (for me anyway). And if you make it, you'll need to know this stuff anyway. If you feel confident how you've done, the next stage is to start learning what the aircraft look like - useful for Stage 3 although included in Stage 2 pack.
As for other ways to become an air traffic controller, read this thread:
http://www.pprune.org/atc-issues/361...ough-nats.html. Your profile seems to indicate that you're over 24, so unfortunately Eurocontrol is out. For going into the RAF, I don't think selection is any easier and you are an officer first, ATC second, so no guarantee you'll spend all your time controlling. See
http://www.pprune.org/atc-issues/361...ing-civil.html and
http://www.pprune.org/atc-issues/362...g-raf-atc.html for more info and lifestyle stuff etc. And I think you need to go to the NATS college even after being an RAF controller if moving from military to civil, but I'm sure someone else can confirm that.
Gingerpaul: I can't honestly remember if there's always a black triangle, but there is always one shape that is the 'marker' - ie. your reference point. It might change shape, but there is always one there that helps you the same way the black triangle does.
And finally....DaleyDFC: Expenses are a funny thing with NATS since if you progress further, you'll discover the expense form is the same at each stage but the emails often contradict it! Basically, whatever you spend on travel, you must pay the first £50 (or all of it if your claim is less than £50). As far as I know (from HR) the limit is around £150 return for flights/trains/etc, and £50 for overnight accommodation. HR recommend the Premier Inn Fareham (£64 a night) so essentially the 'excess' above the £50 limit (£14) is paid by your compulsory £50 contribution. Confusing, but that's how it works. If you get through to medical and travel for all your stages (and it costs more than £50), expect your application to cost £150..... I always called HR out of courtesy to check they'd be ok with me staying overnight (it was always unavoidable as I live in the middle of nowhere) and they were always fine about it.
Sorry for mammoth post!