UK ATC Initial Training

[DustyFlightBag]

Hello all,

I'm looking into a new career in ATC, I have basically discounted the NATS route due to their requirements for being geographically flexible. I have a family and cannot just live anywhere.

I have been in touch with Global ATS, can anyone offer any tips for me or offer some preparation ideas to get me ready for the self funding route. I've got a couple of years before I can commit to training...


Thanks

[DustyFlightBag]

Thanks, so I'd still need my initial training right?

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

DFB -how old are you. I would not like to start a career in ATC half way through life, unless you find somewhere quiet to start. Good luck.

[alfaman]

Hello all, I'm looking into a new career in ATC, I have basically discounted the NATS route due to their requirements for being geographically flexible. I have a family and cannot just live anywhere. I have been in touch with Global ATS, can anyone offer any tips for me or offer some preparation ideas to get me ready for the self funding route. I've got a couple of years before I can commit to training...

Thanks I would suggest talking to the airport nearest you, first, even if NATS. You may find they are locally recruiting for support staff which would get you a foot in the door. At least you'd then know whether a home move would be necessary. Global will no doubt train you, but without a position lined up ahead, you're in the same position as with NATS, you'll be chasing the work (as ultimately, most of do ;) ).

The "just live anywhere" I appreciate is a throw away description, but, the limiting factor is whether there's an ATC unit near you, really: if you're fixed on a tight geographical radius, that's going to be the issue. There are many people in your position, family ties etc, progressing through NATS training, it really depends how locked in you are to where you are. I can think of comparatively few people over the years who haven't relocated at some point anyway, whether for a personal or professional reasons. Best of luck in whatever you choose.

[DustyFlightBag]

Thanks for your replies.

I am 37, wife and two kids. I’ve had a PPL for 6 or so years and I’ve got an Air/Ground bit of paper, so I’m not a complete stranger to aviation. I will be based very close to Oxford after my training. They have recently had a couple of job openings. Sadly the timing was not right for me.

They don’t seem to be, or rather the contact I have is not keen on any tower visits or work experience in the mean time by virtue of no replies to emails.

I’ve got another 25 years or so working so it’s now or never for a career change !

HD, can you expand on your comment please? Am I over the hill already!

Thanks

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

No, you are not over the hill but the older one is, the more difficult it becomes to learn. new tasks. I was married with two children when I joined NATS, or whatever it was then., I started at Heathrow when I was 28, having worked in ATC abroad and in the UK. Just be ready for a lot of work and I wish you good luck. It's the best job in the world once you are validated..

[DustyFlightBag]

That's basically what I wanted to hear HD! I'm looking for the best job in the world !

I managed to get through an Open University Degree recently whilst dealing with the family, kids and work etc. so I'm not afraid of a bit of hard work, I do expect this to be harder though... .

I've not really got anywhere left to go in my current career so I'm actually looking for a new mental challenge. I have a theory about our brains, if you don't use it you loose it !

[DustyFlightBag]

So, any tips from you ATC gurus about how I can prepare for the initial training?

I've been hammering the practice aptitude tests...anything else like simulators etc?

Thanks

DFB

[no slots]

Age has nothing to do with getting through the courses. Commitment and desire will almost certainly carry you through. I was 42 when I went through the NATS course at Bournemouth and today I am an Assessor and OJTI.
It's not really a job but a vocation. Be prepared for lots of hard work as the learning curve is very steep. If you want it enough you will get through.
At the moment there is a huge shortage of controllers. You may even be approached by an airport whilst you are on the course, offering you a job on completion. It has happened.
Good luck, but don't leave it too long.

[DustyFlightBag]

Thanks very much !

I'm going to dive in !

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Oh yes DFB.... there is the initial medical. However, if you're in good shape and don't nee4d glasses (or a hearing aid!) you should be OK!

[Packer27L]

What’s wrong with having glasses? I passed my medical a few months back wearing mine, have the rules changed since?

[ex82watcher]

It's fine to require spec's, and unlike the situation with pilots,you wont be required to carry a spare pair.You will though,after the initial medical,have to pass it again each year.

[DustyFlightBag]

Looks like it's ok (pardon the pun), there's pictures of NATS controllers with glasses on their website ! I have a class 2 medical so I'm confident despite needing glasses for flying and when I'm tired!

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Another thing DFB, have you downloaded the CAP on ATC Licensing? It contains a lot of essential information.

Sorry about the sight bit. When I started you had to pass the CME without use of glasses but I presume standards have been reduced now.

[chevvron]

We had a trainee at Farnborough in his '50s; transferred in from a larger NATS unit. We had some difficulty training him until someone noticed he took more notice if the mentor sat one side of him rather than the other.
Then we twigged; he was deaf in one ear, yet still passed his medical!

[Talkdownman]

It's the best job in the world
I'll go along with the sentiment. It can be somewhat addictive. This is my fifty-third year doing it.

have you downloaded the CAP on ATC Licensing? It contains a lot of essential information

http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP1251(FORMATTED)20DEC18.pdf

We had a trainee at Farnborough in his '50s; transferred in from a larger NATS unit. We had some difficulty training him until someone noticed he took more notice if the mentor sat one side of him rather than the other.
Then we twigged; he was deaf in one ear, yet still passed his medical!
Pardon me? Two mentors?

[alfaman]

It's fine to require spec's, and unlike the situation with pilots,you wont be required to carry a spare pair.You will though,after the initial medical,have to pass it again each year.
That's a huge generalisation: I definitely have to carry a spare pair, it's in my licence, as do many other spectacle wearing ATCOs I know.

[ex82watcher]

alfaman,It may be a generalisation,but I was merely commenting based on my own experience.In my medical certificate for my PPL,there was always a phrase stating that second pair of spec's must be carried.The class 1 which related to my ATCO licence never had this provision.
It's quite a while since I held either licence or medical certificate,so things may have changed,and I bow to your more current experience.

[chevvron]

That's a huge generalisation: I definitely have to carry a spare pair, it's in my licence, as do many other spectacle wearing ATCOs I know.
I used to have that endorsement for a few years, then I retired and did FISO work so no longer looking at radar screens. I found my 'long' vision improved to the extent the requiement to wear glasses was removed from my medical after a couple of years.

[alfaman]

alfaman,It may be a generalisation,but I was merely commenting based on my own experience.In my medical certificate for my PPL,there was always a phrase stating that second pair of spec's must be carried.The class 1 which related to my ATCO licence never had this provision.
It's quite a while since I held either licence or medical certificate,so things may have changed,and I bow to your more current experience.
Sure, your experience, but unfortunately it read as fact: SARG take a dim view of people who don't fully comply with that requirement, I know a couple who've learned that the hard way.

[Gonzo]

Likewise. During an audit I’ve had to show SRG, as was, my spare pair in my locker at work.

[ex82watcher]

alfaman,I remember when on one of the early courses at CATC,either the initial course,or more likely the licence course,one of the instructors specifically referring to this issue,and saying the reason why there was no stamp on med,certs requiring a 2nd pair of spec's to be carried was because the CAA,would have been required to stump up for the cost of a second pair (remember,they were also our employers in those days,as well as the regulators ) and they had ,or would have ,baulked at this.As I said,I never had such a stamp on my class 1 med cert,though always did on my class 3 for my PPL,and which was issued at the same time,by the same doctor that carried out my annual ATC medical.I always complied with this stipulation ( and of course,in those 'good old days',the CAA used to subsidise our flying ! ).
I never lost or broke my spec's when at work,and presumably anyone having the 'stamp' having done so,would not be able to continue working until they had obtained another 2nd pair 'in order to comply with the privileges of their licence'.I did however, once have a dental-crown,which had been fitted the day before,fall out on to the polehill radar screen,but I managed to work through that,though probably with a bit of a whistle included in my transmissions.



PS,just managed to find my licence,and the med.cert relating thereto..On the back,under conditions is a stamp: VALID ONLY WHILE WEARING CORRECTING SPECTACLES FOR ATCO LICENCE.
No mention of a second pair,but as I alluded to earlier, your knowledge is more current,and requirements are likely to change over time.

[alfaman]

alfaman,I remember when on one of the early courses at CATC,either the initial course,or more likely the licence course,one of the instructors specifically referring to this issue,and saying the reason why there was no stamp on med,certs requiring a 2nd pair of spec's to be carried was because the CAA,would have been required to stump up for the cost of a second pair (remember,they were also our employers in those days,as well as the regulators ) and they had ,or would have ,baulked at this.As I said,I never had such a stamp on my class 1 med cert,though always did on my class 3 for my PPL,and which was issued at the same time,by the same doctor that carried out my annual ATC medical.I always complied with this stipulation ( and of course,in those 'good old days',the CAA used to subsidise our flying ! ).
I never lost or broke my spec's when at work,and presumably anyone having the 'stamp' having done so,would not be able to continue working until they had obtained another 2nd pair 'in order to comply with the privileges of their licence'.I did however, once have a dental-crown,which had been fitted the day before,fall out on to the polehill radar screen,but I managed to work through that,though probably with a bit of a whistle included in my transmissions.



PS,just managed to find my licence,and the med.cert relating thereto..On the back,under conditions is a stamp: VALID ONLY WHILE WEARING CORRECTING SPECTACLES FOR ATCO LICENCE.
No mention of a second pair,but as I alluded to earlier, your knowledge is more current,and requirements are likely to change over time.
We may well have listened to the same guy, however, that's not normally the case now - it may well be a function of the break between regulator & provider, I wouldn't know, but makes sense. I'm keen to make sure none of our younger readers take it as gospel, & leave with the wrong idea. As you've ably demonstrated, that wrong idea can persist for a considerable period of time after the rules change :)