French ATC opportunities

[Lissart]

Mornin'

I hold a CAA ADI rating, unfortunately unvalidated as yet, although I have had live operational experience. I live in France (near Toulouse) and have decidede not to return to the UK for a job. I want to convert over to the French system. Does anyone out there have any experience of this? I understand that Directive 27 of EASA will become a fact 17/5/08 meaning that all European member states must recognise training that took place in another member state. But realistically, I feel there is a tiny chance of actually securing a post. Therefore, I would like to know what other jobs might be out there for someone with ATC training/experience. Do the French have ATSA's for example and how can one apply?

I would appreciate your thoughts......

[mana]

check your pm :ok:

[JonG]

As I understand it you have to hold a European license, which you get by validating after the change comes into place, or you receive one after your yearly check. I may be wrong though.

[Lissart]

According to my source at the CAA, after 17/5/08 it is simply a case of asking to be issued with the European version of whatever licence one holds. So someone with a UK non-validated student licence will be issued with a European student ticket. Fully rated will receive the equivalent European ratings. No doubt there will be the usual fee business just to issue it........

[PPRuNe Radar]

Do you have a full licence or a student one ?? Just beware the expiry times for commencing training if it's a student one.

The CAA Student licence is valid for 2 years, with a further extension of 2 years if you have commenced unit training. You also need to have commenced unit training within 6 months of completing the rating course.

[andrijander]

And don't forget that the fact that you hold, in this case and after all the red tape, a french license doesn't mean that their ansp will hire you. All the best though but don't get your hopes too high (to avoid a high fall that is).

Good luck,
A.

[Lissart]

Thanks for the previous two posts.....
As regards actual jobs, as I understand it all Fr ATCOs and associated support staff are Civil Servants. This means all the assistants, services, flight plan folk etc as well as actual controllers. Being quite realistic about an actual contoller's post (about 2% chance I should think...) I am tending to focus on the related jobs side. Does anyone know if there are non-civil service posts out there where an ATCO ticket + a bit of experience could be of use? Any leads appreciated.....

[Supertoad]

Hi,

As posted, all french ATCO's are civil servant. They all go through an exam where only 10% go through. Once through they either become ENR or ADI/APP controllers. They also get the title of engineer (ICNA, ingenieur de controle de la navigation aerienne). If you only have ADI you will be a TSEEAC, which seems to be of a lower importance. The french have a priviledged system and do not seem to be open to foreign validated licences, let alone student ones. Through european licencing they should be forced to open up but, they can always strike to stuff everyone. I sounds harsh but I enquired and honestly, they seem to be very inflexible:ugh:. Most ICNAs want to protect their status of engineer/ cadre superieur de la fonction publique which possibly give them a higher status in the french society:yuk:. Check the forum on the ENAC website. There are a few posts regarding foreign licences and some replies by current ICNAs are, let's say, confirming what I am stating. The people to call are the DGAC in Athis Mons, service de recrtutement. Good luck, the Swiss with Skyguide seem more enthusiastic to recruit and I know Eurocontrol definetely recruit student licence depending on your age.