Preparation for college
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 77
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From: southampton
Preparation for college
I have recently found out that I have been successful at interview, and am expecting to start at the college in June or October next year (hopefully!).
I wanted to ask for advice how best to prepare beforehand, for example what I could learn in advance of the course. I thought that perhaps such things as learning aircraft recognition and characteristics, or an overview of meteorology would help. Obviousely I already know a bit about ATC from a layman's perspective from books and visits/work experience and I suppose I don't want to learn things which are wrong, but I don't want to waste my time before I start doing nothing if I'll be really pushed to manage the workload at the time! If there is anything which people feel isn't taught as much as is ideal at the college then this could be something worthwhile to swat up on.
Thanks in advance.
I wanted to ask for advice how best to prepare beforehand, for example what I could learn in advance of the course. I thought that perhaps such things as learning aircraft recognition and characteristics, or an overview of meteorology would help. Obviousely I already know a bit about ATC from a layman's perspective from books and visits/work experience and I suppose I don't want to learn things which are wrong, but I don't want to waste my time before I start doing nothing if I'll be really pushed to manage the workload at the time! If there is anything which people feel isn't taught as much as is ideal at the college then this could be something worthwhile to swat up on.
Thanks in advance.
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 107
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From: NAV Canada
Teach yourself to learn the art of inactivity and RELAX !!!
I promise theres nothing you need to know before you get there. Everything you need to know is either passed over in the Manuals or given at lectures..... the info will get you thru the all vital exams, oh if youve a photographic memory this helps NO END as the writtens are somewhat parrot fashion orientated.
The college has certain ways and expects certain things the "real world" aint too keen on but youve an 18 month game to play and to pass nod your head and do EXACTLY how your told and you WILL pass!
I went in knowing nothing.... and hey these years later I still know nothing but getting paid for it!
Enjoy your last year of freedom!
Congrats on gettin thru and good luck.
I promise theres nothing you need to know before you get there. Everything you need to know is either passed over in the Manuals or given at lectures..... the info will get you thru the all vital exams, oh if youve a photographic memory this helps NO END as the writtens are somewhat parrot fashion orientated.
The college has certain ways and expects certain things the "real world" aint too keen on but youve an 18 month game to play and to pass nod your head and do EXACTLY how your told and you WILL pass!
I went in knowing nothing.... and hey these years later I still know nothing but getting paid for it!
Enjoy your last year of freedom!
Congrats on gettin thru and good luck.
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Manchester
Well done!!
First of all congratulations!!! I have an interview coming up v v soon and i am getting nervous now. Just wondered if you could give me any tips...so hopefully ill be joining u there. (hopefully!!!)
Luvverley!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 259
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From: --
First of all, I agree with Fidgell - relax!
But if you are really keen to get some kind of experience/knowledge beforehand, why not approach a local airfield or two and enquire about work experience? If the unit is full ATC so much the better. I see from your post you live in the Southampton area, so Shoreham may be worth a bet.
I started my ATC career at a small local airfield and found the experience invaluable.
That's my tip.
Good luck in your chosen career. You'll have a ball!
Foxy.
But if you are really keen to get some kind of experience/knowledge beforehand, why not approach a local airfield or two and enquire about work experience? If the unit is full ATC so much the better. I see from your post you live in the Southampton area, so Shoreham may be worth a bet.
I started my ATC career at a small local airfield and found the experience invaluable.
That's my tip.
Good luck in your chosen career. You'll have a ball!
Foxy.
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 0
From: Apa, apo ndi kulikonse!
Start practicing NOW.
Walk in to your local spit & sawdust pub (let's call it "The Seagull" just for fun)
Order 4 pitchers of beer in the 5-7pm happy hrs on Friday
Get sh1tfaced
Forget to learn the stuff you should
Go back to School Monday morning and say the budgie eat yr Written assessment prep.
Worked for me.................!
Walk in to your local spit & sawdust pub (let's call it "The Seagull" just for fun)
Order 4 pitchers of beer in the 5-7pm happy hrs on Friday
Get sh1tfaced
Forget to learn the stuff you should
Go back to School Monday morning and say the budgie eat yr Written assessment prep.
Worked for me.................!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: nr SAM
Whilst I agree you should not try to learn everything before you arrive, it certainly doesn't hurt to start reading a little bit when you are bored.
I would suggest that Aviation Law is the subject that quite a few of us have found hardest to learn, so perhaps if you have access to Trevor Thom's Air law book for PPL students it might give you a running start.
However, you WILL be given everything you need at the college, and the exams are now multiple choice up to Area. This means you have to understand the subject rather than just learn parrot fashion, but most of us preferred this type of examination.
Anyway, I would say just do a little bit of background reading here and there, but mostly spend the time looking forward to the start!
I would suggest that Aviation Law is the subject that quite a few of us have found hardest to learn, so perhaps if you have access to Trevor Thom's Air law book for PPL students it might give you a running start.
However, you WILL be given everything you need at the college, and the exams are now multiple choice up to Area. This means you have to understand the subject rather than just learn parrot fashion, but most of us preferred this type of examination.
Anyway, I would say just do a little bit of background reading here and there, but mostly spend the time looking forward to the start!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 107
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From: NAV Canada
AVIATION LAW..... 
ME!!!
Thatll get ya nowhere, personally I agree with the post above....
The Seagull needs more preparation than the college believe me, but it puts you in great stead for the heavy drinking that follows!
Oh, and General Knowledge is ALWAYS useful....
Because the Seagull has twice weekly Pub Quizs and the locals in Boscombe never give yer average college team any challenge!
Prizes used to hit the dizzy heights of £32.20!!!
READ IT AND WEEP AVIATION LAW BUFF!!!
Seriously, the book work in advance aint worth it, but love the idea of work experience if theres a chance near you.... just dont get any bad habits!!!
ME!!!Thatll get ya nowhere, personally I agree with the post above....
The Seagull needs more preparation than the college believe me, but it puts you in great stead for the heavy drinking that follows!
Oh, and General Knowledge is ALWAYS useful....
Because the Seagull has twice weekly Pub Quizs and the locals in Boscombe never give yer average college team any challenge!
Prizes used to hit the dizzy heights of £32.20!!!
READ IT AND WEEP AVIATION LAW BUFF!!!
Seriously, the book work in advance aint worth it, but love the idea of work experience if theres a chance near you.... just dont get any bad habits!!!
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Poole
Unfortunately, according to the local newspaper a couple of weeks ago, the Seagull is to be demolished and replaced by a block of flats.
I remember many happy nights there back in the late 60's & early 70's.
Reg
(15 course)
I remember many happy nights there back in the late 60's & early 70's.
Reg
(15 course)
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Middle England, UK
Agreed.
Long live the seagull...
I'll be there with the best of us (albeit now ex NATS) ATCOs.
£32.50!!! In my day it never reached that "golden number". All we had we T-shirts and chocolate, and we were glad of it!!!
lmao.
Long live the seagull...
I'll be there with the best of us (albeit now ex NATS) ATCOs.
£32.50!!! In my day it never reached that "golden number". All we had we T-shirts and chocolate, and we were glad of it!!!
lmao.
