Interviews
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NATS Interviews - your experiences
I had my final selection day this week. Has anyone else had interviews recently? I'd be interested to hear how it all went, how people feel about them.
My personal feelings are that it was all fine except for the technical interview. I was not expecting it to be how it was at all! I don't know what was wrong with me that day but I kept saying the wrong things! E.g. naming Northolt as an airport serviced by NATS when I know darn well it isn't! I suspect the lack of a hearty breakfast may be my downfall this time around and I'm not holding my breath.
I notice from other posts that some people have received results the day after by email, and some receive pass/fail letters after three weeks! Does anyone know how the assessment works? Do you have to pass each interview/test individually to pass, or are you given a total score?
Also, if you had to kill either the Queen and the US President, OR 800 members of the public, what would you do???
I'm still not sure what I should have done here. Ended up saving the majority.
I'd love to hear other peoples experiences!
A
My personal feelings are that it was all fine except for the technical interview. I was not expecting it to be how it was at all! I don't know what was wrong with me that day but I kept saying the wrong things! E.g. naming Northolt as an airport serviced by NATS when I know darn well it isn't! I suspect the lack of a hearty breakfast may be my downfall this time around and I'm not holding my breath.
I notice from other posts that some people have received results the day after by email, and some receive pass/fail letters after three weeks! Does anyone know how the assessment works? Do you have to pass each interview/test individually to pass, or are you given a total score?
Also, if you had to kill either the Queen and the US President, OR 800 members of the public, what would you do???
I'm still not sure what I should have done here. Ended up saving the majority.I'd love to hear other peoples experiences!
A
Last edited by AlphaSierra; 7th Oct 2004 at 13:38.
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Yes I was.. In context of course.
I had the Queens' and Presidents' planes on a confliction course, and two other planes each with 400 on board on a seperate confliction course. I only had time to talk to one aircraft before they all collided.
Ah well,
Just received the email.
12 months now seems like a very long time.
I had the Queens' and Presidents' planes on a confliction course, and two other planes each with 400 on board on a seperate confliction course. I only had time to talk to one aircraft before they all collided.
Ah well,
Just received the email.
12 months now seems like a very long time.
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I had the Queens' and Presidents' planes on a confliction course, and two other planes each with 400 on board on a seperate confliction course. I only had time to talk to one aircraft before they all collided.
It is how you present your reasoning to the interviewer that counts.
Possible answers would be along the lines of
"whichever conflict I spotted first"
"I don't know how I would react until I was in the situation"
"800 lives more important than 2 (plus crews)"
"Avoiding action to any aircraft without an american pilot" (say, London was that for us?)
"Avoiding Action - All aircraft turn right NOW!"
my tuppence worth
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Vectorline,
Thanks for the ideas. It's definate food for thought! I will be putting you on my "phone-a-friend" list next year!
Another answer might be "I quit!"
..Joking of course
Thanks for the ideas. It's definate food for thought! I will be putting you on my "phone-a-friend" list next year!
Another answer might be "I quit!"
..Joking of course
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Alpha sierra...i presume from the quote "just recieved the email, 12 months seems like a very long time" means u werent successful. If So...join the club! I was absolutly gutted when i found out..but im slowly getting over it and waiting to reapply in July! All the best mate!
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Re-Application Date
MM,
Thanks. Gutted doesnt' describe it does it?! How are your other applications coming on? Are you planning to go for Eurocontrol or ATSA posts? I've just printed off the Eurocontrol application form, but before reading some of your other stuff, I didn't know much about ATSAs'. All very interesting stuff which has got me thinking!
For anyone who was wondering, I emailed NATS to ask about a re-application date (As they say they can only run tests once a year - not particularly clear eh!). They said that unsuccessful applicants can re-apply 12 months from the failure letter/email, not from the initial application/tests. Another disapointment!
AS
Thanks. Gutted doesnt' describe it does it?! How are your other applications coming on? Are you planning to go for Eurocontrol or ATSA posts? I've just printed off the Eurocontrol application form, but before reading some of your other stuff, I didn't know much about ATSAs'. All very interesting stuff which has got me thinking!
For anyone who was wondering, I emailed NATS to ask about a re-application date (As they say they can only run tests once a year - not particularly clear eh!). They said that unsuccessful applicants can re-apply 12 months from the failure letter/email, not from the initial application/tests. Another disapointment!
AS
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2nd selection interviews
Can anyone shed some light on the documents needed for 2nd stage selection? I believe NATS send a 50 page booklet to read and learn but I could be completely wrong!
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The second set of notes was handed out during the test day. This seems to vary though. The few others I've spoken to don't seem to have received them!
Try emailing
[email protected]
I've emailed them with queries a couple of times and have always got a reply within a couple of days.
AS
Try emailing
[email protected]
I've emailed them with queries a couple of times and have always got a reply within a couple of days.
AS
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Alpha Sierra
Are you planning to go for Eurocontrol or ATSA posts? I've just printed off the Eurocontrol application form, but before reading some of your other stuff, I didn't know much about ATSAs'. All very interesting stuff which has got me thinking!
Alpha Sierra, I think an application for Eurocontrol should be a first option before any thoughts of applying for an ATSA position.
Now before the ATSA's have a real go at me, I will try to explain my thoughts as best I can.
Firstly, the ATSA position, in many countries, notice I don't say in the UK, but in many countries, is becoming a redundant position. This is mainly due to the automation of ATC. I don't know a lot about the way the UK use their ATSA's but I have seen in several ATC organisations that this positon is now either redundant or becoming redundant with new systems and higher ATC automation.
In these countries, the ATSA's ( Flight Data's ) whatever you will call them, are offered a multitude of options from redundancy, to a new posting of say Systems expert and on some occassions retraining as an ATC. Now, currently I think ATSA experience would give you an above average knowledge to successfully complete an ATC course, with the new positions, I have increasing doubts. You will be more a system monitorer than an ATC Assistant.
Here is point in the question, do you get in as an ATSA, wait a couple of years and apply for an ATC course, hoping that ATC automation won't catch up with you prior to this grand plan eventuating ie. ATSA's are offered redundancy and they take a last on first off basis for this reduction, you are then in the same boat you are now ??
Apply to Eurocontrol and progress through an ATC course, to obtain ratings that may ( Noticed I said "MAY" ) one day let you work back in your homeland, but in the meantime will allow you to do something you have only dreamt about ie. ATC ( not sleeping with blond haired Dutch chicks, although that would be an added bonus)
Apply as an ATSA, hoping that ATC Automation catches up whilst you are there, additionally hope that those ATSA's within the system ( being you ) will be offered an ATC Course or even better an abbreviated ATC course.
There are several decisions to ponder, but myself, I would take the option that will give you what you ultimately want, that is to work as an ATC.
Alpha Sierra, I think an application for Eurocontrol should be a first option before any thoughts of applying for an ATSA position.
Now before the ATSA's have a real go at me, I will try to explain my thoughts as best I can.
Firstly, the ATSA position, in many countries, notice I don't say in the UK, but in many countries, is becoming a redundant position. This is mainly due to the automation of ATC. I don't know a lot about the way the UK use their ATSA's but I have seen in several ATC organisations that this positon is now either redundant or becoming redundant with new systems and higher ATC automation.
In these countries, the ATSA's ( Flight Data's ) whatever you will call them, are offered a multitude of options from redundancy, to a new posting of say Systems expert and on some occassions retraining as an ATC. Now, currently I think ATSA experience would give you an above average knowledge to successfully complete an ATC course, with the new positions, I have increasing doubts. You will be more a system monitorer than an ATC Assistant.
Here is point in the question, do you get in as an ATSA, wait a couple of years and apply for an ATC course, hoping that ATC automation won't catch up with you prior to this grand plan eventuating ie. ATSA's are offered redundancy and they take a last on first off basis for this reduction, you are then in the same boat you are now ??
Apply to Eurocontrol and progress through an ATC course, to obtain ratings that may ( Noticed I said "MAY" ) one day let you work back in your homeland, but in the meantime will allow you to do something you have only dreamt about ie. ATC ( not sleeping with blond haired Dutch chicks, although that would be an added bonus)
Apply as an ATSA, hoping that ATC Automation catches up whilst you are there, additionally hope that those ATSA's within the system ( being you ) will be offered an ATC Course or even better an abbreviated ATC course.
There are several decisions to ponder, but myself, I would take the option that will give you what you ultimately want, that is to work as an ATC.
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aircraft?!?!
Does anyone know of any good sites where I can test my knowledge on different aircraft? I have not got a clue!!!
Reluctant to buy any books as they all seem so out of date!
Thanks!
Reluctant to buy any books as they all seem so out of date!
Thanks!
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steffi_kel
You could try this site:
http://ls2.ians.lu/acftrec
Nice game to practice, IF you already have some knowledge of aircraft types. Unfortunately it does not feature a studying part.
You could try this site:
http://ls2.ians.lu/acftrec
Nice game to practice, IF you already have some knowledge of aircraft types. Unfortunately it does not feature a studying part.
