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NATS interview process

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NATS interview process

Old 31st Jan 2009, 22:01
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I was under the impression that the 9th edition from 2005 was the one to get, how do the previous editions compare?

I'm guessing the fundementals of ATC are similar, but will the previous editions still be useful?

I'm currently researching and studying, and am more than willing to learn and research by myself, but just want to make sure I'm learning from the best texts etc.

Cheers

OB
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Old 31st Jan 2009, 22:05
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I have a copy of 'Air Traffic Control' by Graham Duke Ed. 9 for the highest bidder...

PM me for more...

Just kidding, no money wanted - just write a short message of why you want to be an ATCO and your credit card details and I'll send it off to you...

:P

No, but really, if you want a copy let me know - to be fair I have a number in my head from 0 - 50 and whoever picks (one only!) a number that is closest to my number will get the book... PM me!
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Old 31st Jan 2009, 22:16
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Stage 3 update: After I learnt everything I could get my hands on even slightly ATC related... it turns out it was a 100% HR interview... I'm not sure if that is now standard but thought I would pass that on to people applying. Oh and the game is great fun!! Well I thought it was.
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Old 31st Jan 2009, 23:16
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Jack,

So you had no technical questions to answer whatsoever? And they definitely said it was the last stage for you (before medical)?
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Old 1st Feb 2009, 10:45
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He is right, the interview has changed. I did get asked a couple of questions regarding ATC which I know they were looking for some technical information so don't be fooled into thinking you shouldn't know your stuff.

What I would say is that if you REALLY want the job and you REALLY are interested in ATC and aviation as a whole then there shouldn't be any reason why you couldn't pass the interview.
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Old 1st Feb 2009, 11:58
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Thanks ATCNoob. This does seem odd, I assume you are still sat in front of 2 people (personnel person and an ATCO)? Does this mean the grilling you get from the ATCO is that much shorter this time?
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Old 1st Feb 2009, 18:03
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Man with no mouth:
I had two HR people

I learnt a lot of technical and if for any reason I have to repeat then I would again learn all the technical....... if not for the interview, at some point will need to know it anyway.
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Old 1st Feb 2009, 18:26
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Thanks Jack. Perhaps the assigned ATCO to the interview had cancelled, will watch this thread with interest to see if this was a one off! Will certainly not slow my preparation regardless.
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Old 1st Feb 2009, 18:55
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Wonder why they've changed it...
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Old 1st Feb 2009, 21:28
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No problem MWNM. I actuallly had 3 in my interview. One HR rep and the Head of ATCO Training, and then there was another HR rep who was monitoring the whole process. So only two that were actively involved with me.

I should find out this week if I am in or not. Will keep you posted.
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Old 1st Feb 2009, 21:37
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Hello!
The time is nearly here for me to apply for NATS! ive been wanting to do ATC for 2 years now, really looking forward to show what i can offer, if i really want this career, what are the things that are going to hold me back? I mean i have university as a back up, but i dnt think i could stand another 3 years of education of something im not totally sure i want to do.
Does anyone have any advice they could offer me for getting through all the stages successfully and into my dream career?!

Thanks (Y)
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Old 1st Feb 2009, 21:41
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Angel Magic Number

Thirty Nine? Hey ATCNoob??

Last edited by babyjxxx; 1st Feb 2009 at 21:44. Reason: Guessing from 1-50
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Old 2nd Feb 2009, 15:11
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*stage one*

hey everyone, got my stage one on the 12th and just wanted to make sure I'm on the right track and am fully aware of what I'm in for....

Motivation Paper: learnt the pdf document cover to cover including all the ridiculous seating capacities! (what a nightmare they were!!) still need to learn basic distances between European cities as someone suggested on here. any other suggestions??

Personality Questionnaire: kind of self explanatory im hoping?? dont need to study anything for that im hoping?

Basic Checking, Spatial Reasoning and Diagramming Tests: got a couple of books from the library to start helping me with the cubes (although rotating the paper somehow makes then much easier for me!) suggestions??

Are these all the tests I should expect on the day? Any other advice would be so much appreciated, still feel quite unsure about the tests but hoping thats just some normal nerves!! hopefully someone can give me a quick brief of how things will happen on the day! oh, also, someone told me that there quite hesitant to accept first time applicants as they want to see your committment and prefer to take you on second time round?? hoping this is just a myth though?!

Thank you for everyones help on this thread-soooo helpful!

Clairey Fairy xx
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Old 2nd Feb 2009, 15:14
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Clairey fairy,
oh, also, someone told me that there quite hesitant to accept first time applicants as they want to see your committment and prefer to take you on second time round?? hoping this is just a myth though?!
That's certainly not the case.

If you are judged to reach the standard at the end of stage 3, you're in. Simple as that.
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Old 2nd Feb 2009, 21:21
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Thanks babyjxx,

If you send me a PM I will be able to keep track of the numbers a lot more easily. On Friday I will choose the person closest to my 'magic number'...
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Old 2nd Feb 2009, 21:54
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Angel ATCNoob

I feel silly that I do not know, and cannot figure it out, but what is a PM?
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Old 2nd Feb 2009, 21:56
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Hi all, just as a way of giving back to the thread as it helped me loads, heres a load of links for aptitude tests and other helpful stuff for stage one.... enjoy all potential stage oners!!
LINKS:

1. Info on stage one and Basic Checking Tests: http://www.mattieb.110mb.com/nats.php
2. S D T Questions: http://www.speeddistancetime.info/
3. A/C Recognition; http://www.airliners.net/quiz/
4. Possible S D T; http://education.qld.gov.au/learningplace/cx/index.html
5. NATS Practise Leaflet: http://natscareers.co.uk/docs/NATS_Practice_Leaflet2.pdf
6. S D T; http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/bitesize/standard/mathsI/number_gen/dst_rev1.shtml
7. MATS 1: http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP493Part1.pdf
8. Personality Test: http://www.airways.co.nz/careers/atc_quiz.asp
9. Everything: http://www.airways.co.nz/careers/what_it_takes.asp
10. Checking; http://web.archive.org/web/20041209192522/freespace.virgin.net/at.co/atco/resources/Checking.htm
11. Mental Arithmetic: http://web.archive.org/web/20060128180335/freespace.virgin.net/at.co/atco/resources/mentalarithmetic.htm
12. Numeracy Exam: http://web.archive.org/web/20040816075851/eugrad.jpmorgan.com/content/context_gen.htm?content/content_6.htm
13. SHL Tests: http://www.shl.com/shl/en-int/candidatehelpline
http://www.shlgroup.com
14. Quantas Psychometric Exam: http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/about/employment/QTests.pdf
15. Spatial Ability: http://www.psychometric-success.com/practice-papers/Psychometric%20Success%20Spatial%20Ability%20-%20Practice%20Test%201.pdf
16. Diagrammatic Reasoning: http://www.psychometric-success.com/practice-papers/Psychometric%20Success%20Diagrammatic%20Reasoning%20-%20Practice%20Test%201.pdf
17. Data Checking; http://www.psychometric-success.com/practice-papers/Psychometric%20Success%20Data%20Checking%20-%20Practice%20Test%201.pdf
18. http://www.psytechltd.com/shltrials/
19. http://www.psychtesting.org.uk/index.cfm?EBBB1D95-CF1C-D577-9D29-9D271A5AD8E3
20. http://www.ase-solutions.co.uk/goto.php?sess=x38100|u18899|p158|n144|c18899|l0|g0|d0&pg=Tak e_a_practice_test#
21. http://www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/gettingajob/psychometric.html
22. http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/planarity
23. http://www.psychometric-success.com/aptitude-tests/diagrammatic-reasoning-tests.htm
24. http://www.assessmentday.co.uk/inductive/Free/Inductive-Reasoning-Test1.pdf
25. http://www.wikijob.co.uk/wiki/diagrammatic-reasoning
26. http://www.docstoc.com/docs/1670177/GMAT-Abstract-Reasoning--Test-1
27. http://www.wikijob.co.uk/wiki/spatial-visualisation
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Old 2nd Feb 2009, 21:59
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also some SDT questions taken from various posts in this thread, if anyones looking for some on't internet!
enjoy!
SDT Questions:
-An a/c is flying at 540mph at FL320, and starts descending at 800feet per minute. How many miles will it travel before it reaches FL250?
-Aircraft 40 nautical miles away, at 30,000 ft descending at 3000ft per minute and travelling at 240 knots.. can it make it?
240 knots = 4 miles per minute, which means 10 minutes to get the 40 miles to the airport.
3000 feet per minute for 10 minutes means a descent of 30,000 feet. He could make it.


-a/c doing 420 knots/mph, how far will it fly in 20mins...
-a/c flies 40 miles in 10 mins, what speed is it doing...
-a/c needs to travel 120 miles, is doing 480mph, how long will it take...

-If a/c flies at 420kts for 40 mins how far will it travel?
-If a/c flies 60 miles in 10 mins how fast is it moving?
-If point A and point B are 50 miles apart and a/c is doing 200kts how long will it take?



Madhouse
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Old 3rd Feb 2009, 19:03
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You eventually found out then babyjxxx...?
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Old 3rd Feb 2009, 20:01
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thank you for clearing that up Gonzo, one less thing to think about everything else i said, is that what i should expect at stage one? not missed anything out?

Claire Fairy xx
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