Too old to become an ATCO?

[littlehobo75]

I'm 32 and in a completly unrelated career, but have always wanted to go into ATC. Seriously though, have I left it too late?!?!

I'm going to do the stage 1 selection anyway, although I am slightly put off by the poor wages during training, as I have a wife and baby in tow!

[Spitoon]

If you have the ability - and not everyone does by any means - then no. But even if you can make it, it won't be easy. The low pay during training is just one challenge but, hey, for many jobs you don't get paid anything during training and even have to pay for the tuition!

Not trying to be negative but that's the way it is.

[Skyjuggler]

Hey Littlehobo...

I'm pretty certain that this varies from country to country but here there is an age restriction (at least there was) of 28. Sad to say that anyone over that age is not elligable to go on stage I.

In my opinion it's a little distressing. We always seem to be battling with staff shortages and in addition, I'd love to have new staff who are clearly passionate about the career on board, regardless of their age.

Not sure if this has any relevence to you where you are, but may be worth it to check it out...

Best of luck to you...:ok:

[joe99]

It's not all good! But then again it's a long term investment. Our pilot friends spend at least 3-4 months/years getting out of their serious training debt!! Seriously, if the initial hit is bearable it is all worthwhile. Invest and reao baby!!! Sorry to be so positive but it is all good, as long as you keep your eyes open and never stop fighting!

[Aviator_IT]

My classmate was 38 and was damn good. Go for it.

[Tordan]

Littlehobo, if it helps I´m 38 and applying. No age rules in Sweden fortunately.
32, you´re just a kid :ok:

I´ve got a wellpaid job, loving wife and a kid at 1,5 years plus one more coming. Not being entirely happy with my current job I´m giving this a shot mainly since our kid(s) are still young and I feel very motivated. That and full support from the wifey makes it feel doable. A couple of years with a (very) lean budget, but if I make it I´m absolutely convinced that the work makes the effort well worth it. I´d hate to find myself an old(er) fart cursing myself for not trying!

[NeoDude]

I believe the age limit for NATS is 36. I'm 31 with a wife, 3 kids and a mortgage. I start at the college in 3 weeks :ok:

[brownwings]

I started when I was 30

[GunkyTom]

We currently have 2 trainees going through training, one of whom is 32. We are, however,not NATS although money is the same

[Aviator_IT]

Forgot to mention, I know another fellow who has the area rating and he is 38 I recon, and got his training some 9 months ago. Good guy.

[niknak]

If you really want to do the jobs and if you are good enough to get through the selection procedure, there's no reason why you shouldn't succeed and the very best of luck to you.

With regard to the salary, there' no doubt that it's a lot less than it used to be but bear in mind that your potential employer is going to spend many £1000s on your training, (in real terms around £40 to 50K), in any other industry you'd get a lot less as "an apprentice", many of us got our licences by paying for our own courses or taking up offers from Serco et al, and living on no wage.
Never assume you deserve the top rate from day one, you won't get it anyway.

It really depends on how seriously you take the profession, you have to be on top of the situation all of the time and be able to make right call every time, during and after your training.
It's not a career you can take lightly, you can either do the job or you can't, if you are determined, you'll get through, if it's just another whim, forget it.

That's the reallity of the job, good luck anyway.

[jumpuFOKKERjump]

I rated at 36, the guy who beat me for top of the course was a few years older! Still having fun 13 years later.

[ATCNetwork]

If you see the latest Press release from IFATCA 30,000 shortage of ATCO's worldwide....

http://www.atc-network.com/NewsItem-25133.aspx

I think age is not an issue as much as it used to be so go for it.

[Quintilian]

There are two women of 30-35 doing the ATC-education in my class. Damn clever girls!

[littlehobo75]

Thanks for all the encouragement, had stage 1 of the testing last week so fingers crossed! Were a couple of people in my age group as well as some people who looked like they had yet to start puberty!

[TamedBill]

Says on the NATS website 36 is cut off age.

[360BakTrak]

Didn't think you could be age-ist these days?!:E

[floydie]

One is never too old to become an air traffic controller ;)

[45 before POL]

Age??? I always look on it as old as the woman you feel:E got mine at 37.......colleague got his(same course as me) at age 41.......so it shows you got it you can get it.:ok:

[threemiles]

Age limits are not permitted under EU anti-discriminative ruling.

[Zodiac_Matt]

I'm 50 and would like a career change. I've been considering ATC training at NATS. Again, am I too old ?

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

They would probably find a way not to have you! Have you been into a busy ATC unit to see what is involved? And there is also the medical to consider at your age.

[chevvron]

I'm 50 and would like a career change. I've been considering ATC training at NATS. Again, am I too old ?
As HD says, NATS would be unlikely to accept you for their rigorous training regime, however if you have the money, why not self finance through an ATC college like the one at Gloucester? Alternatively, you could study for and take the exams for a Flight Information Service Officer and get a part time job to see if you have the aptitude. You'll need to obtain a Radio Operators Certificate of Competence to start training if you take this route.
Whatever you choose, I strongly recommend you visit both and ATC and a FISO unit to see what is involved.

[no slots]

I attended NATS college at 42 as a private sponsored student and got through. Went on to complete a procedural and radar course and am now an OJTI and an assessor. Any thing is possible if you really want it.

[Farrell]

From what I have seen over here in the sandpit - the learning curve for the average person starting out tends to get very steep once they hit the mid-30s mark.
We find that where the vast majority of the older folks fall down is in the application of the knowledge gleaned during the theory parts of the course.
A lot who do really well in the written exams go to pieces when they get to the sim.
(Then comes the somewhat arduous process of trying to explain that to a student who thought they were world-class with their 95% in the written.)

Try to arrange a visit to a unit and if you like what you see, look at doing some kind of assessment test like "Sure Select".
Dreams are great, but if the tests tell you that ATC is probably not the wisest of career choices for you, they are usually correct.

That being said….Good luck!

Farrell