area or approach?

[alfie1999]

I'm going through the ATCO application process at the moment and i'm looking for some input from both sides of the ATCO fence.

I'm open minded about which way I go (how much influence have students got?) but what are the relative benefits/downsides to each specialisation? In particular i'm thinking of the skills required, usual shift patterns, mobility required, renumeration etc etc. I'm sure the NATS HR department will give me truthful answers when I ask but still....

Oh, and i'm not trying to start a row!

Cheers

[aluminium persuader]

I took the approach side when I was given the choice. Call me old fashioned,but working in avaition I like to see the occaisional a/c. At my current post (mainland Europe), if I keep them high enough downwind right for 24 (& left the other way, obviously!) I can even wave at them as they go past the apr room window :p

It also makes it easier to establish contacts with folk whose a/c I might want to "borrow"!

:ok:

[Standard Noise]

alfie, unless things have radically changed, you won't get a choice. In the past, Nats has always allocated staff where the need is greatest. Although the crappy days of asking a student what he or she wants and doing the exact opposite may have gone, you never know!:ok:

In saying that, I'd have to go for Approach.

[niknak]

I don't think you'll get the choice, but I would highly recommend aerodrome and approach control.

Outside NATS, approach control is done from the airports themselves, which means you'll be doing aerodrome control as well.
With the approach rating (and aerodrome), at least you'll get the opportunity to work at an airport and see the aircraft you're speaking to, (although within NATS there is an increasing trend in centralising the approach control function at area centres, and just leaving aerodrome atcos at airports).

Area control is largely done from centres, and once you've embarked on this route, even though you do the aerodrome rating as part of the area course, it would be highly unlikely that you'd ever work at an airport once you've validated on area.

To me, area control, is a dark art, practiced by strange looking individuals who are only let out into daylight once a week, and then only for 30 minutes at a time - just in case they get a taste for it. :p
That said, it's as equally challenging as any other aspect of ATC, and it must be OK, 'cos lots of people do it! ;)

[tigtog]

Alf,

You def. won't get a choice noe form NATS and unfortunately most trainees go to area centres now. Approach rsdar trainig is very hard to get as there is really no demand for new controllers in that division at the moment whereas area are desperate.

pay is the same in London for both however area guys get paid more than airports elsewhere.

Hope this helps

[Bern Oulli]

I wouldn't bet on an aerodrome rating being part of the deal in future - unless you are destined for an aerodrome.

[Muppit]

Bern Oulli is quite right.

Students will join NATS, go to DAT&S and do a 15(ish) week basic foundation course (law, met etc)

They'll then be streamlined, based on staffing needs and Instructor recommendation into Area or A'drome. (If an airport's UTP says that the first endorsement (validation) is on radar, then they'll be streamlined onto an Approach course)

After completing the Area or A'drome course, they'll be sent to the units for validation. (OJT will stop, so the first time a Trainee talks to an aircraft, it'll be as part of their endorsement training.)

At Tower and Approach units, after you validate in one endorsement, you then go back to DAT&S for the other rating.......

[radar707]

If you want the money then area control is the way to go, if you're destined for approach then you'll initially do the aerodrome rating, go to a unit, validate and consolidate, then back to the college of knowledge for an approach radar course.

I was fortunate and got what I asked for (Aerodrome / approach) and whilst I prefer working radar, I love being able to drive out of the airport, look at the aeroplanes and get a certain amount of job satisfaction knowing that I got them all down safely.

[niknak]

Hey Radar!
Do get an extra increment for getting them down safely by yourself? :E or do the flight crew, who had nothing to do with it, just give you a split of their wages...... :p ;)