Eurocontrol - Any questions, please ask!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: uk
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Lon More
I've been following this thread, and similar ones, for some time and think youre heading the wrong way. It's all about your suitability to train as an controller, not just pass the tests.
These just weed out the totally unsuitable. Those who might do well go through to the next stage and interviews.
But even if you succeed, and are offered a place at IANS, that's only the beginning.
There is a lot of classroom theory to digest - failure to make progress can lead to termination. As can poor performance in the simulator.
But this is only the beginning. At Maastricht we sometimes had the feeling that unsuitable candidates were being pushed through just to keep the numbers up.
Again you will go into the simulator, this time simulating the sector group you will train in. This time not just with instructors, but also actual controllers ne of the things that will be watched very closely is your ability to function as a member of a team It's very much a question of how you fit in. It may seem harsh, but don't forget, you have to function with some ofthese people for the rest of your career.
Now, hould you have come this far, the really difficult phase begins. Working with live traffic. Real aircraft containing live people. Some trainees just can't get round this responsibility and crash out now.
Throughout your training you will be subjected to constant monitoring, monthly written reports, by your Trainer and Training Officer, at Maastricht will be made - hopefully not too many unsolvable problems will be discovered here. However, if there are, again the recommendation can be made to terminate training.
I hope I haven't rained too much on your parade but, as was earlier pointed out, I haven't just got the T shirt, I probably designed it as well. I was one of the original Ab Initio 1 trainees, before we even moved to Maastricht, and eventually retired a couple of years ago as a supervisor.
With a bit of luck you will get through, and despite recent happenings, it is still a very rewarding and interesting career. It's a damn sight better than having to work for a living. Good luck
These just weed out the totally unsuitable. Those who might do well go through to the next stage and interviews.
But even if you succeed, and are offered a place at IANS, that's only the beginning.
There is a lot of classroom theory to digest - failure to make progress can lead to termination. As can poor performance in the simulator.
But this is only the beginning. At Maastricht we sometimes had the feeling that unsuitable candidates were being pushed through just to keep the numbers up.
Again you will go into the simulator, this time simulating the sector group you will train in. This time not just with instructors, but also actual controllers ne of the things that will be watched very closely is your ability to function as a member of a team It's very much a question of how you fit in. It may seem harsh, but don't forget, you have to function with some ofthese people for the rest of your career.
Now, hould you have come this far, the really difficult phase begins. Working with live traffic. Real aircraft containing live people. Some trainees just can't get round this responsibility and crash out now.
Throughout your training you will be subjected to constant monitoring, monthly written reports, by your Trainer and Training Officer, at Maastricht will be made - hopefully not too many unsolvable problems will be discovered here. However, if there are, again the recommendation can be made to terminate training.
I hope I haven't rained too much on your parade but, as was earlier pointed out, I haven't just got the T shirt, I probably designed it as well. I was one of the original Ab Initio 1 trainees, before we even moved to Maastricht, and eventually retired a couple of years ago as a supervisor.
With a bit of luck you will get through, and despite recent happenings, it is still a very rewarding and interesting career. It's a damn sight better than having to work for a living. Good luck
It is really interesting to hear from someone who has 'been there and done that'.
I hope you dont think that I was suggesting that the selection tests are the 'be all and end all' of everything, because of course they are not, but nevertheless they are the first important hurdle to overcome!
I heard from the HR section @ MUAC that the failure rate during training is around 40%, which speaks volumes for how hard it must be! But im a glass half full person, im committed to giving this opportunity my best shot and cant wait to start pushing some tin!
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: The World
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nothing I hate more than people using the expression 'pushing tin' - it sounds so.......naff!
I remember a student on my course at Hurn who, post-run shouted "wow, I really pushed tin there" - what a fool!
I remember a student on my course at Hurn who, post-run shouted "wow, I really pushed tin there" - what a fool!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: uk
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Number2
Nothing I hate more than people using the expression 'pushing tin' - it sounds so.......naff!
I remember a student on my course at Hurn who, post-run shouted "wow, I really pushed tin there" - what a fool!
I remember a student on my course at Hurn who, post-run shouted "wow, I really pushed tin there" - what a fool!
Any other amazing insights you wish to bestow upon us
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Italy
Age: 42
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As I read on the eurocontrol.int web site, there will be a course beginning in July and another one in November 2006 but the exact day isn't specified.
SoontobeATCO, if u have time, could you kindly answer my questions I posted this morning so you can solve my last doubts before I'll go for the adventure in a few days??
thanx
SoontobeATCO, if u have time, could you kindly answer my questions I posted this morning so you can solve my last doubts before I'll go for the adventure in a few days??
thanx
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: uk
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by fabrifx
soontobeATCO, your help is very useful...
tell me if i'm right..when you're doing the number /shape sorting, it's easy at the beginning cause you just have to follow one statmenet... as u go ahead, they give u more statements and u have to remember all of them, not just the last one, right?
in your case, to make it even harder, did they put two different categories, for example numbers and shapes together, on the same screen so that as you proceeded with the exercise, you were given one new statement for the numbers and a new statement for the shapes?? After a bit, it should drive you nuts
Last question, there isn't even one exercise on number series, or shape series or some diagramming?? What do u do in there for 4 hours!??!
p.s about the spatial reasoning test, do u have an open cube and 4 possible closed cubes or u have one closed cube and 4 possible opened ones??
tell me if i'm right..when you're doing the number /shape sorting, it's easy at the beginning cause you just have to follow one statmenet... as u go ahead, they give u more statements and u have to remember all of them, not just the last one, right?
in your case, to make it even harder, did they put two different categories, for example numbers and shapes together, on the same screen so that as you proceeded with the exercise, you were given one new statement for the numbers and a new statement for the shapes?? After a bit, it should drive you nuts
Last question, there isn't even one exercise on number series, or shape series or some diagramming?? What do u do in there for 4 hours!??!
p.s about the spatial reasoning test, do u have an open cube and 4 possible closed cubes or u have one closed cube and 4 possible opened ones??
For the cubes there is one closed cube and 4 or 5 open ones.
Just to re-iterate there is really not much you can do to prepare, i didnt do any prep for the tests apart from getting good nights sleep. Go in with an open mind and ready to perform.
I think I remember them saying that you are awarded 'points' for each section of the tests and it is your final point score that determines your success, so if you do badly in one section you can make up for it in the next. I feel certain that I performed poorly in the cubes test, but then again I suppose I cant have done terribly.
good luck!
niknak
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 2,335
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
STB ATCO
Whilst your exuberance is perfectly understandable, this isn't Hollywood or a computer simualtion.
Prior to "pushing tin" you will have to work harder than you ever done in your life just to maintain the required level of competency throughout the course, then, if you have qualified, you have the small matter of validating and maintaining that competency.
I can assure that if you do make it, use of the phrase "pushing tin" or any similar expressions will earn you "dork status" amongst all your colleagues.
I wish you the best of luck, but calm down, keep your head down and gob shut.
Whilst your exuberance is perfectly understandable, this isn't Hollywood or a computer simualtion.
Prior to "pushing tin" you will have to work harder than you ever done in your life just to maintain the required level of competency throughout the course, then, if you have qualified, you have the small matter of validating and maintaining that competency.
I can assure that if you do make it, use of the phrase "pushing tin" or any similar expressions will earn you "dork status" amongst all your colleagues.
I wish you the best of luck, but calm down, keep your head down and gob shut.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: uk
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by niknak
STB ATCO
Whilst your exuberance is perfectly understandable, this isn't Hollywood or a computer simualtion.
Prior to "pushing tin" you will have to work harder than you ever done in your life just to maintain the required level of competency throughout the course, then, if you have qualified, you have the small matter of validating and maintaining that competency.
I can assure that if you do make it, use of the phrase "pushing tin" or any similar expressions will earn you "dork status" amongst all your colleagues.
I wish you the best of luck, but calm down, keep your head down and gob shut.
Whilst your exuberance is perfectly understandable, this isn't Hollywood or a computer simualtion.
Prior to "pushing tin" you will have to work harder than you ever done in your life just to maintain the required level of competency throughout the course, then, if you have qualified, you have the small matter of validating and maintaining that competency.
I can assure that if you do make it, use of the phrase "pushing tin" or any similar expressions will earn you "dork status" amongst all your colleagues.
I wish you the best of luck, but calm down, keep your head down and gob shut.
Whilst I appreciate that your post is (probably) well intentioned id like to point out I do not think that this will be a walk in the park! Im quite aware of the fact that this is going to be a bloody hard slog and theres a significant chance I wont make it.
I really dont want to sound like a miserable sod, but I just get the impression that you think im some sort of spotty teenage geek fresh out of school with no idea of what lies ahead of me, this is definately not the case!
The point of this thread was to try and give some hints and tips to anyone who might be taking the tests in the future, in the same way the NATS thread has done.
cheers
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Italy
Age: 42
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by soontobeATCO
With the sorting test, yes they combine different colours and shapes, and also with specific statements telling you what to do. They start easy and get harder! Its the same with the numbers test.
For the cubes there is one closed cube and 4 or 5 open ones.
Just to re-iterate there is really not much you can do to prepare, i didnt do any prep for the tests apart from getting good nights sleep. Go in with an open mind and ready to perform.
I think I remember them saying that you are awarded 'points' for each section of the tests and it is your final point score that determines your success, so if you do badly in one section you can make up for it in the next. I feel certain that I performed poorly in the cubes test, but then again I suppose I cant have done terribly.
good luck!
For the cubes there is one closed cube and 4 or 5 open ones.
Just to re-iterate there is really not much you can do to prepare, i didnt do any prep for the tests apart from getting good nights sleep. Go in with an open mind and ready to perform.
I think I remember them saying that you are awarded 'points' for each section of the tests and it is your final point score that determines your success, so if you do badly in one section you can make up for it in the next. I feel certain that I performed poorly in the cubes test, but then again I suppose I cant have done terribly.
good luck!
As to the others who posted in this forum, I'd like to remember that the reason of this thread was to help out and give advice to people like me who still have to undergo the selection process.. I don't understand what's the use talkin about how hard the course will be or how difficult it will be to become an atc when we still don't know if we'll get in.. one step at a time!I don't really care about the course at this moment,if it's difficult or not. I just wanna concentrate on the tests. Soontobeatco is a helping person who wants to share his test experience with us and I thank him for that....
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Spain
Age: 42
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by fabrifx
thanx soontobeatco, very clear like always!
As to the others who posted in this forum, I'd like to remember that the reason of this thread was to help out and give advice to people like me who still have to undergo the selection process.. I don't understand what's the use talkin about how hard the course will be or how difficult it will be to become an atc when we still don't know if we'll get in.. one step at a time!I don't really care about the course at this moment,if it's difficult or not. I just wanna concentrate on the tests. Soontobeatco is a helping person who wants to share his test experience with us and I thank him for that....
As to the others who posted in this forum, I'd like to remember that the reason of this thread was to help out and give advice to people like me who still have to undergo the selection process.. I don't understand what's the use talkin about how hard the course will be or how difficult it will be to become an atc when we still don't know if we'll get in.. one step at a time!I don't really care about the course at this moment,if it's difficult or not. I just wanna concentrate on the tests. Soontobeatco is a helping person who wants to share his test experience with us and I thank him for that....
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: belgium
Age: 37
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by rafacans
Hi fabrifx, I'm also going to Maastricht the 13th June, so if u want we could meet up at the mercure hotel that day. I'm quite lost about this, but thanks to soontobeatco and some others, i know something more about the tests.
Last edited by flyingsystem; 11th Jun 2006 at 19:15.
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Italy
Age: 42
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by rafacans
Hi fabrifx, I'm also going to Maastricht the 13th June, so if u want we could meet up at the mercure hotel that day. I'm quite lost about this, but thanks to soontobeatco and some others, i know something more about the tests.
however i'm getting my plane the 14th so I'll be in Maastricht(Mercure hotel) the 14th,15th and then I'm leaving the 16th.. if u also have the tests these days, we can meet up wednesday afternoon at the hotel!Let me know..
C ya!
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Spain
Age: 42
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by flyingsystem
On 13th June? Is it not on 15th June? Anyway I think you made a small mistake, So we will be three for this test (I mean from this forum)! Hope we will meet...and pass the test!
laters
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Maasmechelen, Belgium
Age: 51
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by fabrifx
I don't understand what's the use talkin about how hard the course will be or how difficult it will be to become an atc when we still don't know if we'll get in.. one step at a time!I don't really care about the course at this moment,if it's difficult or not.
difficult, you might just as well leave the training position to someone who realy DOES care about the course?
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Italy
Age: 42
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
oh my god..people actually think they are gods here...get off the tree u guys climbed... Is it the job that make you histerical?? I think I'm a calm,polite person with good manners who doesn't offend anybody and just to remind everyone again, this thread is meant to give advice for the preselection tests, that's it... no one is talking about the after... no soccer team talks about winning the world cup before reaching the finals and actually winning it.
to rafacans: no, there is no mistake, they simply do more tests a month..when I was called, they invited me to the test of June 12(today) but I had problems so we decided for the 15...
to traffictraffic: I'd appreciate if u avoid stupid comments. They're not needed and are useless in this forum Thank you.
to moira: first of all, if I need an advice I'll ask u for one, so there's no need to tell me to leave the training position. second of all I'm realistic, and I don't want to take a step longer than my leg(it's an italian saying, don't know it in english so I hope you understand it), that's why I said I don't care in this moment about the course... I'm a university student studying biotechnologies(don't start saying why become an ATCO..I know my stuff) and I won the preselection test to get in, and I always studied many hours a day+ exams+experiments+laboratories.. I'm not afraid of this course..if I'll be fit to do it, I'll succeed in becoming an ATC and I'm sure I'll put my very best because I really want to become an ATCO but if I won't, AMEN. My life will continue anyways and I'll always be proud of myself..
to rafacans: no, there is no mistake, they simply do more tests a month..when I was called, they invited me to the test of June 12(today) but I had problems so we decided for the 15...
to traffictraffic: I'd appreciate if u avoid stupid comments. They're not needed and are useless in this forum Thank you.
to moira: first of all, if I need an advice I'll ask u for one, so there's no need to tell me to leave the training position. second of all I'm realistic, and I don't want to take a step longer than my leg(it's an italian saying, don't know it in english so I hope you understand it), that's why I said I don't care in this moment about the course... I'm a university student studying biotechnologies(don't start saying why become an ATCO..I know my stuff) and I won the preselection test to get in, and I always studied many hours a day+ exams+experiments+laboratories.. I'm not afraid of this course..if I'll be fit to do it, I'll succeed in becoming an ATC and I'm sure I'll put my very best because I really want to become an ATCO but if I won't, AMEN. My life will continue anyways and I'll always be proud of myself..