Hi
I'm a (part time) Aerodrome FISO, having previously been an A/G operator.
Firstly, do not get confused by the statement about FISOs being a 'step up' from A/G operators. FISOs provide a different service to A/G operators - the level of service provided at each airfield is normally fixed and not determined by the qualification of the member of staff sat in the chair at any given time.
There is a licensing requirement for A/G operators - you need an A/G certificate of competence - this is only granted following exemination by an R/T examiner - see the links in earlier posts.
Therefore if the airfield you want to work at is A/G then you need an A/G certificate of competence. FISO training is more involved, so you would be expending effort studying for the FISO licence when you could be doing your degree/ partying (!) at uni. (That said a validated FISO (or ATCO) licence will allow grant of an A/G Certificate of Competence by exemption from the exam)
A medical declaration for A/G Operators is, as I understand it, not required. FISOs require either a medical declaration or a Class 2 medical.
After obtaining the A/G qualification it's a case of training 'on the job' with an existing A/G Operator, until the licensee decicdes your competent and signs your certificate - this is unlike FISOs and ATCOs, both of which require formal validation and revalidations.
Hope this helps
