Visiting a control tower,

[Freddles]

Hi, I'm sure this has been asked before so apologies if it has. I've got to the stage 3 assessment for NATS and I think a visit to a tower or 2 would help massively, however I'm having a nightmare actually contacting any towers to try and organise visits.

I've emailed the SATCO at Leeds Bradford (closest to me) but she hasn't replied to me and I'm not sure if she will. I've also been looking at all the NATS towers (Heathrow, Manchester etc.) but the websites say for ATC inquiries to contact NATS directly, but I emailed NATS and they said to contact the towers directly! :ugh:

I've been looking around even more and can't find any contact information (Phone numbersor email addresses) to even speak to the towers let alone arrange anything!

Does anybody have any information on how to contact individual towers or how to arrange visits? Has anybody been in this boat before? This is really irritating me and I think it'd be really interesting for me to visit a few towers.

Cheers.

[Scott C]

I'll have a look to see if I can find the contact details of one of the Watch Managers at BHX.

I've been lucky enough to get a trip up East Midlands tower and Birmingham's old tower. I'd love to have a look in their new tower, but haven't managed it yet.

[LadyL2013]

Can you only access the tower if your in training or can you visit if your just an enthusiast?

[Crazy Voyager]

Depends on unit restrictions, I think for most units anyone can visit as long as you're over 18, however you need someone to show you around which means that in practice you can only visit if you either know somebody working there, or have contacts that can find you someone working there willing to show you around (and accept responsibility for you during the visit).

[Richjonesy]

I used to know someone at ljl and got into their tower when he was working there as an engineer. Spent the whole day with various atco's and learnt a lot.

I emailed someone at a customer service desk at manchester who put me in touch with the relevant person in the tower but they wouldn't allow me to visit.

[Squawk 7500]

A 'few' units? Seriously, if you're simply going through the TATC application then stick to a max of one unit. You're not gonna gain anything by visiting multiple towers and just take up people's time. As for contacts - all ATC admin numbers are listed in the AIP. Take your pick :ok:

[Freddles]

@Squawk 7500

Maybe a stupid question, what's the AIP?
Also I don't agree that It'll be best visiting one tower, if you visit more surely you'll learn more and it shows more commitment.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

AIP... Aeronautical Information Publication. It's on-line..

You could smply bell the airfield and ask to speak to the SATCO or Watch Supervisor/Manager. Security problems make it very difficult to visit some ATC facilities. E.g. Heathrow Tower is airside and can take half a day to get to!

Good Luck

[ZOOKER]

Freddies,
Historically, Manchester have always been good for this sort of thing, hopefully they still are.
Don't forget the new tower is not at the airport terminal complex.
All the very best.

[lamix1w]

In my humble opinion, Leeds are an extremely friendly and flexible ATC unit and well worth a visit if you tee one up through the proper chanels.:-)

[BARKINGMAD]

Post 9/11 they're probably afraid you'll hijack the tower VCR or the approach room and therefore...............

Far fewer ATCs seen in flight decks these days and prob vice versa, so the exchange of info dries up, to the detriment of all of us.

Thank you Transec and DfT for being so anal in your rules and regulations.

Al Q etc will be laughing all the way to heaven...........:suspect:

[whitelighter]

If you dont know what the AIP is, pehaps you should worry yourself about reading round the subject in preparation for your interview

[Scrotchidson]

Most Units in the UK are very welcoming in having visits for those coming through the selection process. You're better off choosing a Unit which has a Tower landslide to avoid having to go through the security process.

In reference to the above and knowing what the AIP is about, don't worry, the final interview is purely competency based and has no technical questions (unless it has changed since I went through it in 2010). It's probably worth having a quick online but nothing more.

What you will probably get asked is whether or not you have gone for a visit (so 100% organise one) and they'll ask you a few questions about what you saw and understood so don't be afraid to ask lots of questions when you're upstairs when they're not busy! :ok:

[The Many Tentacles]

If you dont know what the AIP is, pehaps you should worry yourself about reading round the subject in preparation for your interview

Why?

I had no idea what the AIP, had never heard of the ANO or MATS and knew nothing about air traffic beyond what was in the stuff they sent out and still passed.

Knowlege without context is a dangerous thing

[Gingerbread Man]

Jez, the AIP is not the best reading around to recommend - it's a pretty inaccessible document for someone who isn't looking for specific information.

[Squawk 7500]

But it's perfect for looking for contact information. It amazes me that after I suggested the AIP, the OP didn't just type 'AIP' into google and click the first link.

[reportyourlevel]

Maybe he did and is still wondering why an Asian online market research organisation is of any relevance.

[Squawk 7500]

Strange. You must be suffering from some of Google's targetted advertising. The first link on mine is 'NATS - AIS'.

[phiggsbroadband]

Perhaps the OP should try a local GA field first, to see ATC in the raw. If he was to ask at the GA Office Desk he would most likely be allowed to sit in with the A/G radio operator. (and bring him up a cup of tea.)


There he could ask about the Aldis lamp, the LITAS system, and why the runway is called by two different names, and all the other basic stuff before diving into the complicated depths of Heathrow Traffic.


Nearest to Harrogate are Full Sutton and Sherburn in Elmet. Don't go on a wet day as there won't be any GA activity at all, try on a clear sunny day on a weekend.


Freddles.... Have you found the AIP yet? (It has the telephone numbers you require.)

[chevvron]

'LITAS' phiggs? Visual approach systems nowadays are mostly PAPI or APAPI, occasionally HAPI/PLASI.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

If the chap is applying to NATS then, if succesful, he will end up as an ATCO. Sitting with an A/G op at a tiny airfield will not be of much benefit.

I've never heard of LITAS!

[chevvron]

Low Intensity Two colour Approach System Bren, showed green for 'on GP' and red for 'below GP'.
We were taught about it on our aerodrome course (it was still in the 'Air Pilot' too as far as I recall) back in '72, and told the last ones had just been withdrawn. I think it was used as a cheap system on smaller airfields prior to VASIs, which were in turn replaced by PAPIs.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Ahh.. many thanks T.

[055166k]

Ask about Snowsods.....they're about the right vintage from last century....or perhaps FIDO?...even older.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Paper flight progress strips... felt-tip pens....

[ZOOKER]

The Tapley Meter.

[chevvron]

Same vintage as LITAS was AAI (Angle of Approach Indicator) but even I can't remember how that worked, although I did see one on Peter Cadbury's airfield at Preston Candover (now long gone)!
OK then, from the 'Manual of Air Traffic Control' (no not 'MATS Part 1), define 'slush'.

[ZOOKER]

Without even looking..
SLUSH. - A water-saturated snow, which with a heel-and-toe slap down action with the foot against the ground, will be displaced with a splatter.
Sorry Chevvron, that's MATS Pt1.
……Dashes upstairs to consult MATC Pt.1, (which also contains some Preston procedures too). :ok:

[ZOOKER]

Sadly, the SI dealing with Reporting Of Snow And Ice is missing.
The last amendment was 1973.

[phiggsbroadband]

From the days when you needed a good 'Radio Voice'....
Or Morse Code at 25wpm.


Position report 1950s style - video (http://www.airwaysmuseum.com/Position%20report%20clip%20download.htm)

[chevvron]

Don't have access to MATS Pt1 as I'm not at work, but doesn't it say 'displaced sideways with a splatter'?

[Talkdownman]

Don't have access to MATS Pt1 as I'm not at work
Why would you need MATS Pt1 at an AFIS unit? Everything you would need is in CAP797...

[ZOOKER]

chevvron,
Just checked out the latest CAP493, and the 'direction of splatter' is not specified.
Still never found the ICAO definition of 'a splatter' though.

P.S. The EGCC Tapley Meter is right here, in my kitchen. Oh, and Mr. Tapley still makes them…….And they look the same.

Freddies, ignore all this banter. It won't be part of your assessment.

[chevvron]

TDM: mystery to me too but after a CAA inspection a few years back it was 'required'.

[Crazy Voyager]

The numbers in the AIP should be to either an assistant or a supervisor, the operational positions normally don't have published numbers.

That being said, should you call somebody who is too busy they will tell you so, in other words I wouldn't worry about it.

[Vulcan Lover]

I still have my chinagraph pencil for writing on the radar screen !!