Civilian ATC at Military airfields
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Civilian ATC at Military airfields
Hi all,
Does anyone know if any of the civilian contractors that provide ATC services at Military Aerodromes are recruiting licenced and previously valid ATCO's, but are just not advertising?
I'm looking to do something different from "sausage machine" ops!
Cheers!
Does anyone know if any of the civilian contractors that provide ATC services at Military Aerodromes are recruiting licenced and previously valid ATCO's, but are just not advertising?
I'm looking to do something different from "sausage machine" ops!
Cheers!
niknak
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Serco do ATC at Wattisham and Middle Wallop. The money is good, and I know that at Wattisham, when the army go on holiday, so does ATC, so the time off is pretty good. As to recruiting, I don't know about current vacancies, but it's always worth registering your interest if that's what you really want.
I've know idea where you work now, but if you're bored with civil op's, the military airfields offer no more variation, in fact Wattisham and Middle Wallop are less exciting than grass growing or paint drying.
Why not try a regional airport, where you get to "mix it" properly? or is that too scary for you to contemplate...?
I've know idea where you work now, but if you're bored with civil op's, the military airfields offer no more variation, in fact Wattisham and Middle Wallop are less exciting than grass growing or paint drying.
Why not try a regional airport, where you get to "mix it" properly? or is that too scary for you to contemplate...?
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Niknak,
You cheeky swine!
What-a-shame's plenty busy thanks. At least you didn't say as boring as Sudoku though 
, that would have been a real insult. It's great fun mixing Apaches, Alberts and SAR scrambles with the odd FJ PD thrown in for good measure. Come visit sometime!
Best Regards,
LXGB
"Tora Tora Tora!"
You cheeky swine!
What-a-shame's plenty busy thanks. At least you didn't say as boring as Sudoku though , that would have been a real insult. It's great fun mixing Apaches, Alberts and SAR scrambles with the odd FJ PD thrown in for good measure. Come visit sometime! Best Regards,
LXGB
"Tora Tora Tora!"
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Boscombe Down remains an RAF ATC unit; BAe Warton (staffed by civil controllers) is the next best thing. There's also the JEFTS at Barkston Heath.
One of the best things about working at a military unit as a civilian controller is that you don't have to salute anybody!!!
One of the best things about working at a military unit as a civilian controller is that you don't have to salute anybody!!!
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Ops and Mops,
Don't know what your background or expectations are, but Gibraltar is very short right now. NATS take over from SERCO on 1 January (despite threats from Gisajob
). Pay is good, but traffic levels are very low, and 80% of that is civilian. Have a word with NATS if you're interested.
Don't know what your background or expectations are, but Gibraltar is very short right now. NATS take over from SERCO on 1 January (despite threats from Gisajob
). Pay is good, but traffic levels are very low, and 80% of that is civilian. Have a word with NATS if you're interested.
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Hi all.
Thanks for your replies.
At the moment I work at a pretty busy Regional/International Airport but am looking for a change of emphasis. Although I still enjoy my job, working at a military airfield is more my kind of "thing" having been in the RAF (although not as a controller!)
The ideal scenario for me would be somewhere like Warton, but I believe it is very much "dead mans shoes" to get in there.
Before I put pen to paper, does having both civvy Tower and Approach Radar Tickets (Sorry ADI and APS!) but no Approach Procedural affect my options?
radarman
Gib sounds very nice, however just how low are the traffic levels now?
niknak
Been there, done that, got the T-shirt, book and DVD. Time to stretch the old horizons a bit!
Cheers!
Thanks for your replies.
At the moment I work at a pretty busy Regional/International Airport but am looking for a change of emphasis. Although I still enjoy my job, working at a military airfield is more my kind of "thing" having been in the RAF (although not as a controller!)
The ideal scenario for me would be somewhere like Warton, but I believe it is very much "dead mans shoes" to get in there.
Before I put pen to paper, does having both civvy Tower and Approach Radar Tickets (Sorry ADI and APS!) but no Approach Procedural affect my options?
radarman
Gib sounds very nice, however just how low are the traffic levels now?
niknak
Why not try a regional airport, where you get to "mix it" properly? or is that too scary for you to contemplate...?
Cheers!
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...does having both civvy Tower and Approach Radar Tickets (Sorry ADI and APS!) but no Approach Procedural affect my options?
Some of them still even provide QGHs!!!
Forgot previously, also to mention Wyton, which is another military unit staffed by civil ATCOs.
Easiest way to find out is to write to the SATCOs or ATS Managers at the units concerned.
If you're so keen, why not apply to the RAF for one of their 'aviation officer' posts which are advertised in Flight from time to time; may even be in RAF News, available at most newsagents. You get commisioned as Flt Lt RAFRO and as far as I know, you hold an RAF C of C rather than CAA Licence, but prior military experience is not required.
I did 20 odd years military ATC on a civil licence, and can verify that most of the time it's more exciting; the problem with standard RAF airfields is just that; they aim to be as standard as possible between units so that when you're posted, you take the minimum time to go solo.
By the way niknak, I thought SERCo had lost Wattisham just as they lost Gibraltar (but not to the same provider) and what about Netheravon?.
radarman; I'd be interested to know where you get your info about Gib; as far as I know there's a queue of NATS controllers champing at the bit to go there!
I did 20 odd years military ATC on a civil licence, and can verify that most of the time it's more exciting; the problem with standard RAF airfields is just that; they aim to be as standard as possible between units so that when you're posted, you take the minimum time to go solo.
By the way niknak, I thought SERCo had lost Wattisham just as they lost Gibraltar (but not to the same provider) and what about Netheravon?.
radarman; I'd be interested to know where you get your info about Gib; as far as I know there's a queue of NATS controllers champing at the bit to go there!
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Re: Civilian ATC at Military airfields
Just to bump this back up again and to confirm the current contractors for addressing letters, can anyone confirm or deny the following?
Barkston Heath : VT Aerospace
Wattisham: Serco or VT Aerospace now?
Wyton: VT Aerospace
Middle Wallop: Serco
Warton: BAe Systems
Woodvale: VT Aerospace
Also any "inside info" (via PM if you so wish) as to who may be looking for controllers would be a bonus!
Barkston Heath : VT Aerospace
Wattisham: Serco or VT Aerospace now?
Wyton: VT Aerospace
Middle Wallop: Serco
Warton: BAe Systems
Woodvale: VT Aerospace
Also any "inside info" (via PM if you so wish) as to who may be looking for controllers would be a bonus!
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Re: Civilian ATC at Military airfields
How about one the other way around... ATC at Newquay Cornwall Airport (a.k.a. RAF St Mawgan) is provided by the military
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Re: Civilian ATC at Military airfields
Originally Posted by chevvron
I did 20 odd years military ATC on a civil licence, and can verify that most of the time it's more exciting;
You have made a military controller very happy with your comment, I am off to cry in a dark corner of the Approach Room following such kind words from a civil controller.
We love you all too! (Heathrow Director excepted, if he is still alive.)
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Re: Civilian ATC at Military airfields
Latest List
Barkston Heath : Babcock (Aerodrome ratings only)
Wattisham: Serco
Wyton: VT Aerospace
Middle Wallop: Serco
Warton: BAe Systems (prefer ex-mil ATCOs)
Woodvale: VT Aerospace but they subcontract to Serco
Netheravon: VT Aerospace
Gibraltar: NATS
Llanbedr: Serco
Barkston Heath : Babcock (Aerodrome ratings only)
Wattisham: Serco
Wyton: VT Aerospace
Middle Wallop: Serco
Warton: BAe Systems (prefer ex-mil ATCOs)
Woodvale: VT Aerospace but they subcontract to Serco
Netheravon: VT Aerospace
Gibraltar: NATS
Llanbedr: Serco
