NATS ATC Unit visits (Towers and Centres)
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NATS ATC Unit visits (Towers and Centres)
Hi,
I am 15 years old, studying towards my GCSEs and I would like to ask how I would attempt to arrange a visit to a NATS unit preferably a London airport (I live near EGKK).
I have been to Gatwick, but would like to possibly visit Heathrow and/or Stansted. I have a strong ambition to be an ATCO and from my first visit learnt quite a lot about airfield ops etc.
As I am under 15, would I be 'allowed' a visit and who should I contact as I have no contacts to organise a visit.
Feel free to PM (probably more appropriate)
Cheers
I am 15 years old, studying towards my GCSEs and I would like to ask how I would attempt to arrange a visit to a NATS unit preferably a London airport (I live near EGKK).
I have been to Gatwick, but would like to possibly visit Heathrow and/or Stansted. I have a strong ambition to be an ATCO and from my first visit learnt quite a lot about airfield ops etc.
As I am under 15, would I be 'allowed' a visit and who should I contact as I have no contacts to organise a visit.
Feel free to PM (probably more appropriate)
Cheers
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is there not a locked door policy in the tower..
why is it possible for any one to visit the tower at critical phases of flight....
should the door be locked and only authorised persons permitted to enter..
is the tower not as a secure envonment as the cockpit.
I would think it is easier to engineer a good accident from the tower as it is the cockpit.
Bumz
should the door be locked and only authorised persons permitted to enter..
is the tower not as a secure envonment as the cockpit.
I would think it is easier to engineer a good accident from the tower as it is the cockpit.
Bumz
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How I pray for the day that my swipe card won't allow me access to the tower car park, the entrance door and then the door to the operational area itself!
A day off for me and a safer day for aviation!
A day off for me and a safer day for aviation!
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It appears that everyone invited for an interview for a job as an ATCO with NATS are strongly advised to visit an ATC Unit. I have entertained 3 in the past 2 weeks. All your average terrorist has to do is apply to NATS then ring up his local ATCU for a visit because NATS have told him to do so. 
(I bet NATS units don't allow such visits
)
(I bet NATS units don't allow such visits
)
I would hope that people with the enthusiasm to follow an ATC career would have already visited some ATC Units, without having to be prompted by NATS. It demonstrates a degree of initiative and motivation, rather than just 'ticks in the box'.
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Ah, the old terrorist card being played. Another success in knee jerking for Bin Laden and his cronies 
The locked door policy was in place on board US aircraft and didn't prevent September 11th, peoples perception of how the terrorist would behave was different back then, and this formed how pilots behaved in such situations. The world is a different place now with respect to the flight deck and how crews will deal with things. Its relevance and comparison to ATC visits is tenous at best.
The ATC facility is a totally different kettle of fish and it's wrong try and assert it is an easy way to manufacture another terrorist atrocity using aircraft. It's Sun journo wishful thinking. There are other independent parts of the whole aviation system which mean that the pilot does not rely 100% on the ATC system for his safety and that of others. He has SOPs, equipment on board his and other aircraft, and other crew members, all of which are barriers to some terrorist setting something up using ATC which is going to cause a crew to kill lots of innocent people. ATC can't directly control the profile of the aircraft if the pilot has doubts about what instructions are being issued or if collision avoidance equipment is warning him of something dangerous. Quite simply, and without spilling in to the precise details, there is ample opportunity and safeguarding for pilots to smell a rat if someone is trying to manufacture a collision, either with another aircraft or terrain.
Visits by prospective staff members serve a useful purpose and there is no reason to hide behind any perceived and unquantifiable threat to try and stifle them. There is just as big a risk of a colleague, a delivery man, a cleaner, a contractor, a visiting pilot popping in to pay their landing fee, etc, etc, being a terrorist as any visitor who has gone through the same kind of 'security' processes to gain access. If the threat was actually a high and real risk, then I have no doubt that the authorities would advise relevant managements not only of the threat, but also about restrictions which the Government would wish to place upon access.
In spite of SATCO Biggins assertions (which deserve a return 
), NATS units up and down the country do allow visits. It is not necessarily an easy process of course, and some methods (such as getting someone you know in ATC to do the arranging) are of course quicker and more pain free than others (NATS HR route !!), but nevertheless they do take place and many of us take the time to look after people, show them around, and try to answer their questions and fears.
Only today I noticed a young lass in our ATC facility who I remember showing around a year or so back, and who is now obviously coming through the NATS training system. So not only does the process of visiting possibly benefit them, it provides those of us who take the time to remove the secrecy and aura of mystery of ATC life with the knowledge that what we do is worthwhile and can perhaps make the difference to someones career aspirations.
The locked door policy was in place on board US aircraft and didn't prevent September 11th, peoples perception of how the terrorist would behave was different back then, and this formed how pilots behaved in such situations. The world is a different place now with respect to the flight deck and how crews will deal with things. Its relevance and comparison to ATC visits is tenous at best.
The ATC facility is a totally different kettle of fish and it's wrong try and assert it is an easy way to manufacture another terrorist atrocity using aircraft. It's Sun journo wishful thinking. There are other independent parts of the whole aviation system which mean that the pilot does not rely 100% on the ATC system for his safety and that of others. He has SOPs, equipment on board his and other aircraft, and other crew members, all of which are barriers to some terrorist setting something up using ATC which is going to cause a crew to kill lots of innocent people. ATC can't directly control the profile of the aircraft if the pilot has doubts about what instructions are being issued or if collision avoidance equipment is warning him of something dangerous. Quite simply, and without spilling in to the precise details, there is ample opportunity and safeguarding for pilots to smell a rat if someone is trying to manufacture a collision, either with another aircraft or terrain.
Visits by prospective staff members serve a useful purpose and there is no reason to hide behind any perceived and unquantifiable threat to try and stifle them. There is just as big a risk of a colleague, a delivery man, a cleaner, a contractor, a visiting pilot popping in to pay their landing fee, etc, etc, being a terrorist as any visitor who has gone through the same kind of 'security' processes to gain access. If the threat was actually a high and real risk, then I have no doubt that the authorities would advise relevant managements not only of the threat, but also about restrictions which the Government would wish to place upon access.
In spite of SATCO Biggins assertions (which deserve a return
), NATS units up and down the country do allow visits. It is not necessarily an easy process of course, and some methods (such as getting someone you know in ATC to do the arranging) are of course quicker and more pain free than others (NATS HR route !!), but nevertheless they do take place and many of us take the time to look after people, show them around, and try to answer their questions and fears. Only today I noticed a young lass in our ATC facility who I remember showing around a year or so back, and who is now obviously coming through the NATS training system. So not only does the process of visiting possibly benefit them, it provides those of us who take the time to remove the secrecy and aura of mystery of ATC life with the knowledge that what we do is worthwhile and can perhaps make the difference to someones career aspirations.
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well said Mr Radar.
I am interested to hear what measures SATCO Biggin employed in his counter-terrorist measures during his hosting of NATS potential recruits.
(Maybe his kind hosting is payback for the amount of ex NATS staff he employs.........)
I am interested to hear what measures SATCO Biggin employed in his counter-terrorist measures during his hosting of NATS potential recruits.
(Maybe his kind hosting is payback for the amount of ex NATS staff he employs.........)
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In the example of Biggin Hill, any Bin Laden could fly in and land and then turn up at the tower to pay fees or whatever and kaboom! Once you are inside the airport and airside there's nothing to stop you so why would a Bin Laden go through the lengthy process of getting accepted by NATS!
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I am interested to hear what measures SATCO Biggin employed in his counter-terrorist measures during his hosting of NATS potential recruits.
, hidden pits, machine gun nests, anti personnel mines etc. But have you seen our Cafe Bar staff? They are really scary. Got to rush, I am expecting another NATS recruit to arrive soon.
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Originally Posted by SATCO Biggin
Obviously I cannot disclose all the counter measures we have in place, hidden pits, machine gun nests, anti personnel mines etc.
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However, like the Wig-Wags and Stop Bars, they are u/s! We're waiting for the new Tels Engineer to start so that they get fixed
I will get Basil the Police dog to chew your ankles next time you are in.
Oh, and what are you doing on Sunday afternoon?
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Originally Posted by SATCO Biggin
You are not allowed to divulge that information
I will get Basil the Police dog to chew your ankles next time you are in.
Oh, and what are you doing on Sunday afternoon?
I will get Basil the Police dog to chew your ankles next time you are in.
Oh, and what are you doing on Sunday afternoon?
Are you asking me out for Sunday lunch SATCO B?! Sorry but I've had a better offer!
My afternoon function has been changed to an all day function....rumour has it there will be cheese and copious amounts of Champagne
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Don't you Biggin types ever just simply talk to each other? .
My afternoon function has been changed to an all day function....
Shall I tell the PPruners about your Julie Andrews fetish.
But we digress from the main thread......
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Originally Posted by SATCO Biggin
So no possibility of you working overtime then?
Shall I tell the PPruners about your Julie Andrews fetish.
But we digress from the main thread......
