ATC in the RAF
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Posts: n/a
Ploddalong,
If you listen to the more reasoned responses, then you'll be okay. Those that have experienced both careers tend to be able to see the best (and worst) of both worlds. There are many good things about mil and civvy controlling careers - both provide a challenging and rewarding career. I've done both. I thoroughly enjoyed my career in the RAF and am happy to have joined NATS.
The great distinction is that, outside of your day-to-day controlling duties in the RAF (or RN
), much much more will be expected of you. As others have said before me: Officer first, controller second. I left the RAF, as I was destined to sit behind a desk for the rest of my career. As your career as an officer progresses (as I hope it would), you are less and less likely to be involved as a coal face controller. That does suit quite a few, but did not appeal to me.
Good luck to you in whatever career path you choose to follow.
WJMcP
Chevvron,
As for the FC branch doing AAR. If the performance of the FC at MPA in 2000 was anything to go by
, then not a lot of AAR would get done
. Mil area radar mates are pretty handy at it.
If you listen to the more reasoned responses, then you'll be okay. Those that have experienced both careers tend to be able to see the best (and worst) of both worlds. There are many good things about mil and civvy controlling careers - both provide a challenging and rewarding career. I've done both. I thoroughly enjoyed my career in the RAF and am happy to have joined NATS.
The great distinction is that, outside of your day-to-day controlling duties in the RAF (or RN
), much much more will be expected of you. As others have said before me: Officer first, controller second. I left the RAF, as I was destined to sit behind a desk for the rest of my career. As your career as an officer progresses (as I hope it would), you are less and less likely to be involved as a coal face controller. That does suit quite a few, but did not appeal to me.Good luck to you in whatever career path you choose to follow.
WJMcP
Chevvron,
As for the FC branch doing AAR. If the performance of the FC at MPA in 2000 was anything to go by
, then not a lot of AAR would get done . Mil area radar mates are pretty handy at it.
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 282
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From: By the Sea-side
Widger - that is a model/computer-generated picture, ye scurvy dog. How many artist's impressions of "our new mighty carrier force" have you seen in the past 30 years?
Plod -
The dark blue suits [flying department] live in Somerset. They will see parts of Somerset that tourists seldom visit. They will be allowed to dance with local girls on a strict rota, with marriage only permitted if it is accompanied with a farm. They will occasionally be allowed to drive a tractor.
Plod -
The dark blue suits [flying department] live in Somerset. They will see parts of Somerset that tourists seldom visit. They will be allowed to dance with local girls on a strict rota, with marriage only permitted if it is accompanied with a farm. They will occasionally be allowed to drive a tractor.
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1
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From: Colchester
Hey Plodalong , where have you got your interview on the 6th?...i got mine on that day too.... bricking it a bit as i really want a career in the RAF now....im looking at ATC and Intelligence...
Chris
Chris
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Milton Keynes (uk)
Im bricking it too, but to be honest, it sounds like if you do you research, and you have a couple of answers already before you get there, you should be fine.
Good luck
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 144
From: MARS
40 good reasons to join the RN
1986 Barbados, Virgin Gorda, Florida, Puerto Rico, Boston
1987 Florida, Tortola, Barbados, Charleston, Norfolk Virginia, Cherbourg
1990-92 Conception Island, Florida, Grand Cayman, New Orleans, Guantanamo Bay, New York, Halifax, Gibraltar, Alexandria, Istanbul, Cairo, Djibouti, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharja, Qatar, Kuwait City, Cochin, Singapore, Penang, Corinth Canal, Patras and Mount Etna.
1994 Vicenza, Venice and Lake Garda
2003-2005 Tenerife, Tromso, Copenhagen
Plus numerous visits to Newcastle, London, Paris, Warsaw and many other places, defending Britain's Interests Worldwide!
1986 Barbados, Virgin Gorda, Florida, Puerto Rico, Boston
1987 Florida, Tortola, Barbados, Charleston, Norfolk Virginia, Cherbourg
1990-92 Conception Island, Florida, Grand Cayman, New Orleans, Guantanamo Bay, New York, Halifax, Gibraltar, Alexandria, Istanbul, Cairo, Djibouti, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharja, Qatar, Kuwait City, Cochin, Singapore, Penang, Corinth Canal, Patras and Mount Etna.
1994 Vicenza, Venice and Lake Garda
2003-2005 Tenerife, Tromso, Copenhagen
Plus numerous visits to Newcastle, London, Paris, Warsaw and many other places, defending Britain's Interests Worldwide!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 22
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From: Not on a boat, thankfully.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 290
Likes: 152
From: Too far South
If you decide to work for NATS, you have to be willing to earn very little in your first 3 years (£10k in year one and £15k in years 2 and 3) and out of that you will need to find accomodation in Bournemouth for the duration of the course. However by the time you have done 16 years you could be earning nearly £90k (if the NATS website is to be believed)
If you go for the RAF, you start on a lot more, and accomodation is provided (although you have to make a small contribution) however the earning potential over your career is diminished. And the sand gets everywhere. Oh and the lift in the extremly tall tower in a hot dusty country doesn't work.
If you go for the RAF, you start on a lot more, and accomodation is provided (although you have to make a small contribution) however the earning potential over your career is diminished. And the sand gets everywhere. Oh and the lift in the extremly tall tower in a hot dusty country doesn't work.
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 87
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From: Awaiting Redundancies
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 751
Likes: 0
From: wherever will have me
Adana kebab, what a great name for a scopey-very topical!
Ummm, an average of 4 aircraft serviceable per fleet is about right. What the Tornado's manage to lose out, the good old Jag picks up the slack.
Also, having done the JAMC and many elements of the TABM and been around the bizarres, it's obvious that many of you lot don't have that much of a scooby about air battle management yourselves.
There are a great number of your branch who are very switched on and have the wider picture about both jobs-strengths, weaknesses and where we can be mutually supportive. The fact is that both specializations are starting to finally smell the coffee, pull their heads out of their orifaces and work together.
From your post it seems that unfortunately you might be one of the blinkered mass who still thinks that a bunker is relevant. Tell me, do you look like a mole? Standing ready to be dis-abused of my rapidly reached opinion.
Ummm, an average of 4 aircraft serviceable per fleet is about right. What the Tornado's manage to lose out, the good old Jag picks up the slack.
Also, having done the JAMC and many elements of the TABM and been around the bizarres, it's obvious that many of you lot don't have that much of a scooby about air battle management yourselves.
There are a great number of your branch who are very switched on and have the wider picture about both jobs-strengths, weaknesses and where we can be mutually supportive. The fact is that both specializations are starting to finally smell the coffee, pull their heads out of their orifaces and work together.
From your post it seems that unfortunately you might be one of the blinkered mass who still thinks that a bunker is relevant. Tell me, do you look like a mole? Standing ready to be dis-abused of my rapidly reached opinion.
