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NATS v Eurocontrol

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Old 27th Jul 2004, 22:20
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NATS v Eurocontrol

Having applied for and passed NATS selection (but failed interview) I have Phase 1 selection for Eurocontrol coming up.

Anyone know if it's a similar test set up or is it a totally different process? Got info from Eurocontrol website and some older stuff from here, but was wondering if anyone had any other advice they'd care to share?

Cheers,
K
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Old 11th Aug 2004, 11:14
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hoping they'll stump up for a full fare flight from Edinburgh and I'll take a nice wee holiday in Belgium! :-)
Nice to know you're applying for all the right reasons, then
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Old 12th Aug 2004, 08:56
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Great..... nice comment 433..... it's a shame heh? it's certainly the only reason they apply now..... and they'll be the ones turning up late for work!
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Old 12th Aug 2004, 14:58
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I also hope they realise that Maastricht is in The Netherlands!!
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Old 12th Aug 2004, 16:13
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Devil

Nope, Maastricht is in Limbabwe
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Old 12th Aug 2004, 22:28
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Sorry to give the wrong impression guys, am certainly dedicated and was extremely dissapointed after was turned down by NATS.

Going through the (year long) process made me even more keen, I visited the tower at Edinburgh which really made me want it even more so when NATS knocked me back was gutted. Especially when I called them and asked what happened and they wouldn't tell me anything, although I was speaking to the chap who did the HR interview and he from memory advised that everyone that failed that day should reapply in 1 year.

I've applied to Eurocontrol and am being realistic about my chances, with NATS they were recruiting from a much smaller pool (the UK) and I didn't make it, think my chances at Eurocontrol are slim to say the least but I'm still going to give it my best. Also if I'm going to be moving to Europe I think a small orientation while I'm over there in the form of seeing some of the country would be a good thing (plus allow me to practice a bit of the languages incase they grill me in a foreign tongue).

Not ripping them off, just spending some more time there than absolutely essential for the tests to have a look round - nothing wrong with that and some would say is a good thing to see where I may be ending up living !!

When I had my NATS interview I did spend an extra couple of hours in Glasgow but that certainly wasn't my motivation for applying.

As for turning up to work on time, well am sure the buses on the continent can't be any worse than here during the ed festival !

Kes.

In fact have thing i\'ve even caught the bug - at the moment I\'m temping in an office below the approach to EDI and I have a wee look out the window with every plane then bore my colleagues with some snippet of info.

Surprisingly they weren\'t that excited when a Globespan went around the other day....
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Old 13th Aug 2004, 08:06
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I wonder how many applicants are expected to arrive from Edinburgh in week 39 who have told the world wide ATC forum that they like bending the rules with regard to payments for necessary expenses.

Perhaps it is too easy to see where interview questions would probe then (should an interview be given)!



Regards,

DFC
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Old 13th Aug 2004, 21:44
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Very good point DFC, one which I had already thought of !! As always the case with the internet something that I would say to someone else who knows me wouldn't see it as me trying to scam my way with the old expenses, however to the wider world it looks like i'm

A: wasting resources being tested when i'm not really interested
B:Wasting limited recruitment budget on overspent expenses
C: taking the

Neither of which are the case and I've already spent close to fifty pounds getting the 'non standard' eye tests done for the application, which I was happy to foot the bill for, and would be happy to not be reimbursed for expenses at all.

As it turns out the timings didn't allow a return back after the selections by Air, so I've booked myself on the train instead which shall be one mammoth journey but get me back in time for work the next day (thanks to Eurostar and that old institution the Scotrail Sleeper!), all for a very reasonable price - in economy I may add and saving the cost of an extra hotel room.

Now I'm going to try not to dig anymore holes by saying things which are likely to be misinterpreted.

BTW anyone able to answer Kiora's original post ?

My main concern with Eurocontrol over NATS is the moving overseas, how easy has it been for anyone who has moved to settle in ? That is one thing which they have given in their literature as the reason for a high dropout rate on the training.

Cheers,

Kes
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Old 18th Aug 2004, 21:54
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Well, it seems to have gone a little off track here!

I can assure anyone who asks that I am doing this for all the right reasons and would really appreciate a little help from those who are more in the know than I am. Perhaps it's just because NATS sent out sample tests and a booklet I could expect to be questioned on, but I feel I was much more prepared for those tests than I am going into the Eurocontrol process.

If there is anyone out there who could give me a bit of advice (and I believe with the wonders of the World Wide Web that there may be one or two people!) I would be incredibly appreciative.

Thanks!
Yours,
K
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Old 20th Aug 2004, 07:23
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I thought this was an invitation..

..to rumble or somfing...

...pooh...

you know ATC UFC or the like

NATS V MAASTRICHT
LAST MAN (or woman) STANDING
Ultimate Fighting Controllers
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Old 20th Aug 2004, 17:17
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No you have to go to the Maastricht fight club for that!
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Old 20th Aug 2004, 21:42
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And how does one join the Maastricht fight club?

Or is that breaking the first rule of fight club...
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Old 20th Aug 2004, 22:41
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You can't really prepare for the tests, as they will test your skills and basic understanding of things like physics... but those are basic questions, nothing like formula's or other complicated stuff...

Short term memory will be tested, as ability to concentrate for a longer period of time while doing visual and an auditive test. Don't worry if you miss things, because you will...

there's an interview in the end in which they try to analyse you psychologically...

Just go with the flow... if you're right material in the panels view, then you'll make it, if you're not, you won't. Can't really prepare for that...

Good luck, in any case...when do you have to be there ?
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Old 20th Aug 2004, 22:45
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My son has applied to Eurocontrol and been accepted for interview. He has adopted the attitude that it is best to wait and see what takes place at interview, because you can ask around on here but everyone will have a different story, plus the interviewers are not going to adopt the same line of questioning with each applicant.
Your question may have been better directed to the ATC Forum.
Good luck
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Old 21st Aug 2004, 16:08
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I can only give you the details for the selection of trainees at Eurocontrol as I never applied to NATS. Aged 18 I was lucky enough to be accepted in Maastricht.

The process starts with an application form requiring the usual type of information along with answers to several essay type questions. Additionally you will have to provide copies of your educational certificates, pilots’ license if you have one and an opticians report.

Providing you pass this stage you will be invited to phase one of selection. This will take place at MUAC and lasts for the whole day. It consists of a battery of questions on mathematics, physics, English, perception, etc. all of which will be testing your long and short term memory including mental processes. However I think these days they are using a different program called FEAST, which is a kind of ATC strip simulation exercise.

To qualify for phase two of testing you will have to attain a suitable score in phase one of testing. This second phase lasts 2 days and again takes place at MUAC.

Day one involves several group exercises including flight planning, presentations and some decision making exercises. You will also have to describe a technical drawing so that another candidate can draw it, using only your description and vice versa.

Day two involves an interview with a member of the training section, an ATCO and a psychiatrist. This lasts for up to 2 hours. You will also be required to take a medical at the local aviation hospital which takes approximately 3 hours.

After all of this you will find out whether or not you have been successful in your application. You will receive a letter informing you that you have been placed on one of three lists, a definite, a reserve, or a non accepted list.

Do you know when is your testing is yet?

I can confirm that you will get you return journey paid for by Eurocontrol, at least that was the way it was done when I applied. I traveled from Humberside to Amsterdam to Maastricht return for both phases.

Sam.

p.s. If you need any more info just post it on here so that it can help out others in your situation. Best of luck!

Last edited by SamHanley; 22nd Aug 2004 at 20:46.
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Old 21st Aug 2004, 17:20
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Lucky for you, Sam, that spelling and grammar didn't feature in those tests then
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Old 21st Aug 2004, 20:29
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Angel LOL

.....another one for the Brussels sectors then Avman......
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Old 22nd Aug 2004, 12:18
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Don't just visit your local tower, any applicant should visit the an Area Control Centre as well. Most controllers end up there anyway and, whilst you need to appreciate the WHOLE ATC picture, that's where the REAL work is done! One applicant, who'd spent some time working in ATC, completely threw away an interview because they didn't know how aeroplanes navigated across the oceans! There are several good books on ATC; read them!
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Old 22nd Aug 2004, 19:31
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Ok so it was done in a rush - luckily we work in a totaly stripless environment, as my handwriting's no better!

In addition there's nothing wrong with the Brussels sectors, they are the best bunch in the Ops room!
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Old 23rd Aug 2004, 21:53
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Thanks for the useful info Sam.

The form that I've received does mention FEAST so seems that's what they are still using.

One thing that appears to be different from NATS selection tests is that there isn't an ATC general knowledge test. NATS send out a booklet on ATC and ask some multiple choice questions on it's content. Some of which would have been more difficult to answer without reading the booklet, regardless of what had been picked up from elsewhere.

Shall wait and see what happens, but I'll brush up on the ATC stuff beforehand just in case there is something new, lurking in these forums though has helped in picking up a lot more than whats available elsewhere.

Kes.
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