I want to be an ATCO!

[rachael.dibb]

Hi!

I'm 17 years of age, 18 next week and I want to be an air traffic controller more than anything in the world.

I just want to know if anyone has any tips on getting into ATC?

Is there any way I can get some kind of information pack sent to me?

Trying to keep up to date with NATS website, but I find it pretty restricted.

Would be really grateful if anyone can give me some advice.

Thanks!
Rachael.:)

[JonG]

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=265195 this may help you with the selection process.

[Me Me Me Me]

I'd suggest contacting Swanwick centre and asking to arrange a visit there. I'm based up north but I've been down there a few times and been given the proper guided tour.. and the guys that do it are excellent.

There are some tired, grumpy & cynical old buggers amongst the ATCOs (no, really!!) but there are also plenty with a genuine enthusiasm and pride about what they do - if you can find one of those to talk to then I'm sure any questions you have will be answered.

The thread above is pretty long but good stuff if you want to go ahead with applying to NATS.

Good luck.

[macker]

Hello Rachael

If you fancy moving west to wetter, windier climes, there will be significant recruitment in Ireland for the next three or four years.

http://www.iaa.ie/comm_trn/trn_scp.asp

Don't worry about what's said regarding the IAA elsewhere on these forums. They're not the worst.

And they'll be even better once we finish sorting them out! :}

Hope it works out for you wherever you decide to go.

[Dances with Boffins]

Try work-experience at the NATS College over in Bournemouth...01202 472358 and speak to Mr Andi MacNish. He's a thoroughly nice bloke.:ok:

[rachael.dibb]

thanks everyone!!
I have been to Swanwick a couple of times before and I loved it there, so I'm planning to arrange a visit again at some point.

Thanks for the info about ireland and the contact number too!
:)

[WhatMeanPullUp]

Hi Rachel,

The best of luck to you in your quest to become an Air Traffic Controller, apart from NATS you can also try Eurocontrol, this is based in Maastricht in the Netherlands. Check out their website and go to vacancies for more information. www.eurocontrol.int (http://www.eurocontrol.int) :ok: