PPL and ATCO Training?
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Bournemouth, UK
PPL and ATCO Training?
Hey guys,
Just came back from my medical this morning and had a PPL medical alongside the CAA ATCO one. I knew that in the past, flight training was a part of the training process, but was unaware that this was still the case. Can anyone shed any light on this matter? Haven't found any mention of it on the NATS site, in the TATC contract or anywhere else!!!
Thanks for your help!
Si
Just came back from my medical this morning and had a PPL medical alongside the CAA ATCO one. I knew that in the past, flight training was a part of the training process, but was unaware that this was still the case. Can anyone shed any light on this matter? Haven't found any mention of it on the NATS site, in the TATC contract or anywhere else!!!
Thanks for your help!
Si
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 194
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From: FG11
Hi Simon
I an not sure for certain but I seem to remember someone mentioning that it is still included. I will find out sooner or later when I start in September but would be interested to know.
I think they used to give you 10hrs flying.
Q
I an not sure for certain but I seem to remember someone mentioning that it is still included. I will find out sooner or later when I start in September but would be interested to know.
I think they used to give you 10hrs flying.
Q
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 139
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From: North of Birmingham by a lot
NATS Flying training nowadays is only for those streamed to Airports (ie Aerodrome or Approach). If you are streamed Area (as is most likely!) then there isn't any flying training in the syllabus. However, if you are lucky enough to be streamed to Airports then you will get 15 hours at either Hurn, Wycombe or Manston. The flying is done between the end of the Basic Course and the start of your next course. This means that you lose a weeks holiday, but for 15 hours of free flying and additional ground school it's gotta be worth it!!
Regards ADIS
Regards ADIS
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Bournemouth, UK
Ah Quincy, I may be bumping into you in the hallowed halls of the college soon then! I'm starting in September as well (was schedueled for June, but exams just get in the way of everything!) Cheers for the info
Si
Si
Joined: May 2006
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From: LGW
Originally Posted by GT3
Not crap.
And it depends, some aerodromes get the same as some radar units.
And it depends, some aerodromes get the same as some radar units.
EDIT: (That is, if I get through them
)
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: By the Sea-side
It's the same medical. In fact, the ATCO one is the Class A that you need to hold a CPL/ATPL, so it is higher than for a PPL. PPL doesn't include the cardio thingie.
Another freebie supplied by your ATC employer. Cool eh?
Another freebie supplied by your ATC employer. Cool eh?
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 26
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From: Bournemouth, UK
Cool indeed! Although I was slightly daunted at the prospect of being wired up.... thought I was about to sign on to the National Grid!!
Wexcan, Aerodrome seems more appealing to me too. Don't know why, just more attracted to it! Fingers crossed for you in your selection tests, good luck!
Si
Wexcan, Aerodrome seems more appealing to me too. Don't know why, just more attracted to it! Fingers crossed for you in your selection tests, good luck!
Si
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 122
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From: LGW
Originally Posted by simoncooldude
Wexcan, Aerodrome seems more appealing to me too. Don't know why, just more attracted to it! Fingers crossed for you in your selection tests, good luck!
Si
Si
I'm already preparing for the tests - I'll be damned if I waste a flight from Dublin. Then again, I'm going for a few days so that I can say it was just an eventful holiday if things go pear shaped. The only test I'd say I'll really feel crappy coming out of would be the cube test. Matching and calculating are fine, just need to brush up a tiny bit on the mental arithmetic. Motivation, well I'd like to think I have that, and I'm poring over the info material and MATS Pt1 to soak up as much as I can.
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: LHR/EGLL
Aerodrome seems more appealing to me too. Don't know why, just more attracted to it!
Joined: May 2006
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From: LGW
Originally Posted by Gonzo
Simon, I'll tell you why..... It's a proper job, not just a TCAS supplement that the area types do, while trying desperately to justify their salaries....
If you get into the CATC how does the streaming process work?
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: In my garden shed
Now now Gonzo, let's not get into an Aerodrome vs. Area B*tch fight. 
They do one aspect of ATC and we do another... in fact, looking at all the wonderful weather around us today, I'd much rather be pushing aircraft around on the ground than dodging wx cells etc.
Anyway, everyone knows that us Heathrow types are the best
They do one aspect of ATC and we do another... in fact, looking at all the wonderful weather around us today, I'd much rather be pushing aircraft around on the ground than dodging wx cells etc.Anyway, everyone knows that us Heathrow types are the best
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 139
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From: North of Birmingham by a lot
WexCan,
Area (and London airports) controllers can earn up to 50% more than most regional airport controllers.
As to the streaming process. You are told whether you'll go Area, Aerodrome (Tower) or Approach about half way through the basic course. These days the vast majority are streamed Area. How the decision is made as to who (if anyone) is streamed for Airports ... as a Trainee you'll never really know! None of my course could work it out.
Regards, ADIS
Area (and London airports) controllers can earn up to 50% more than most regional airport controllers.
As to the streaming process. You are told whether you'll go Area, Aerodrome (Tower) or Approach about half way through the basic course. These days the vast majority are streamed Area. How the decision is made as to who (if anyone) is streamed for Airports ... as a Trainee you'll never really know! None of my course could work it out.
Regards, ADIS
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 122
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From: LGW
Originally Posted by ADIS5000
WexCan,
Area (and London airports) controllers can earn up to 50% more than most regional airport controllers.
As to the streaming process. You are told whether you'll go Area, Aerodrome (Tower) or Approach about half way through the basic course. These days the vast majority are streamed Area. How the decision is made as to who (if anyone) is streamed for Airports ... as a Trainee you'll never really know! None of my course could work it out.
Regards, ADIS
Area (and London airports) controllers can earn up to 50% more than most regional airport controllers.
As to the streaming process. You are told whether you'll go Area, Aerodrome (Tower) or Approach about half way through the basic course. These days the vast majority are streamed Area. How the decision is made as to who (if anyone) is streamed for Airports ... as a Trainee you'll never really know! None of my course could work it out.
Regards, ADIS
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 26
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From: Bournemouth, UK
Originally Posted by ADIS5000
WexCan,
Area (and London airports) controllers can earn up to 50% more than most regional airport controllers.
As to the streaming process. You are told whether you'll go Area, Aerodrome (Tower) or Approach about half way through the basic course. These days the vast majority are streamed Area. How the decision is made as to who (if anyone) is streamed for Airports ... as a Trainee you'll never really know! None of my course could work it out.
Regards, ADIS
Area (and London airports) controllers can earn up to 50% more than most regional airport controllers.
As to the streaming process. You are told whether you'll go Area, Aerodrome (Tower) or Approach about half way through the basic course. These days the vast majority are streamed Area. How the decision is made as to who (if anyone) is streamed for Airports ... as a Trainee you'll never really know! None of my course could work it out.
Regards, ADIS
Si
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 166
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From: UK
It's the same medical. In fact, the ATCO one is the Class A that you need to hold a CPL/ATPL, so it is higher than for a PPL. PPL doesn't include the cardio thingie.
The physical examination may only need to carried out once but you should get two pieces of paper, one for ATCO class 1 and the other for PPL JAR Class 2.
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 244
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From: Swanwick, England
Gonzo, "cleared to land , cleared to land , cleared to land , cleared to land, etc"
How dull!
Most sectors at Swanwick handle over 60 aircraft an hour, whereas the biggest agreed landing rate i've seen at heathrow is 44 an hour, so maybe thats why we get paid the same.
I agree with Satan about the weather over the last few days, at least you can see it and can get aircraft who aren't through v1 to stop. Weather avoiding at ground speeds of over 400 knots gets a bit tasty, especially when most of the airlines don't like being outside controlled airspace.
How dull!
Most sectors at Swanwick handle over 60 aircraft an hour, whereas the biggest agreed landing rate i've seen at heathrow is 44 an hour, so maybe thats why we get paid the same.
I agree with Satan about the weather over the last few days, at least you can see it and can get aircraft who aren't through v1 to stop. Weather avoiding at ground speeds of over 400 knots gets a bit tasty, especially when most of the airlines don't like being outside controlled airspace.
Last edited by MancBoy; 23rd May 2006 at 09:28.
