NATS interview process
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Vortex Wake Separation/Categories
Hi everyone,
I'm currently cramming for my stage 3 next month I have a couple of issues with vortex wake.
If anyone has a list or a link telling me the vortex wake category for each aircraft as I can't seem to find any consistant ones anywhere. i.e. Is the aircraft "Heavy,Medium or Light"
Also a link or document informing me separation between each aircraft in terms of nautical miles. I'm worried about this because I have been told different distances from different visits I have been on. Also I hear the vortex wake separation standards are different depending on different places. i.e. If a light aircraft follows a medium sized aircraft, what distance needs to be adhered to.
Any help would be fantastic so you can PM me if you prefer.
Gogz
I'm currently cramming for my stage 3 next month I have a couple of issues with vortex wake.
If anyone has a list or a link telling me the vortex wake category for each aircraft as I can't seem to find any consistant ones anywhere. i.e. Is the aircraft "Heavy,Medium or Light"
Also a link or document informing me separation between each aircraft in terms of nautical miles. I'm worried about this because I have been told different distances from different visits I have been on. Also I hear the vortex wake separation standards are different depending on different places. i.e. If a light aircraft follows a medium sized aircraft, what distance needs to be adhered to.
Any help would be fantastic so you can PM me if you prefer.
Gogz
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Marco, of course we might also be active on this thread under other user names recommending certain answers.......which might not be true.......which might be designed to give us all a good laugh at interview!

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Gogz - Google CAP493 and you will find Manual of Air Traffic Services Part 1, downloadable as a pdf. You will find all you want to know in there and a lot you didn't. Don't get too deeply involved with its content, not necessary. BUT one day you may have to learn most of it ...
GONZO, you are a cruel so-and-so
Dave S
(Ex-No 12 Cadet Course)
GONZO, you are a cruel so-and-so

Dave S
(Ex-No 12 Cadet Course)
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Well, almost a year has past since my first stage attempt and i was just wondering from anyone whether it was possible to do both stages one and two on the same day. Such is the my confidence in my abilities!
I seem to remember this been mentioned elsewhere in this thread, but it wasnt confirmed.
I seem to remember this been mentioned elsewhere in this thread, but it wasnt confirmed.
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of course we might also be active on this thread under other user names recommending certain answers.......which might not be true.......

good luck every one!
Last edited by aphelio; 18th Feb 2009 at 14:27.
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Aaaaaaaaarggggggggghhhh! Stage 2 tomorrow...eeeek!
Went to Swannick a couple of days ago and found it really useful. I sat in on one of the TRUCE sessions (which I did after failing stage 2 last year) and found it so much more interesting this time round because I've read so much more and learnt so much more!
I'm looking forward to tomorrow really...its just HR that scare me!
Went to Swannick a couple of days ago and found it really useful. I sat in on one of the TRUCE sessions (which I did after failing stage 2 last year) and found it so much more interesting this time round because I've read so much more and learnt so much more!
I'm looking forward to tomorrow really...its just HR that scare me!
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Hi dazpoo23
think it has been done, but only at NATS' instigation, not simply because a candidate wants to shorten the misery. There's also the on-line personality thing which is done in-between the two stages.
good luck with the re-application though, am on my second attempt, currently one week and one hour since I left my stage three
think it has been done, but only at NATS' instigation, not simply because a candidate wants to shorten the misery. There's also the on-line personality thing which is done in-between the two stages.
good luck with the re-application though, am on my second attempt, currently one week and one hour since I left my stage three
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So my first attempt to become an ATCO has ended!
I can't believe I did not pass the personality questionnaire.
I understand its purpose but I feel that proving myself to a computer is a little dissatisfying.
Not going to think about it too much though...just gotta wait 12 months to try again!
I can't believe I did not pass the personality questionnaire.
I understand its purpose but I feel that proving myself to a computer is a little dissatisfying.
Not going to think about it too much though...just gotta wait 12 months to try again!

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Bad luck Becky, that questionnaire is a real pain, I found myself torn between trying to say what I thought they wanted to hear and trying to be entirely truthful with myself. I just got the feeling they were trying to trip you up all the time- asking the same/similar questions over and over. For me I think it was the hardest part of the process so far! I found it really difficult trying to choose which one most/least applied to me as most of them depended on what situation you might be in at the time. The only thing I can say is that I think my responses were fairly consistent throughout the 100 odd questions.
Was just wondering if anyone has ever been turned down between filling in the full application and stage 2? The recruitment site now says 'your application is being considered', i'm at University and found I didn't seem to have a huge amount to put on it, just hope I get the interview.
Was just wondering if anyone has ever been turned down between filling in the full application and stage 2? The recruitment site now says 'your application is being considered', i'm at University and found I didn't seem to have a huge amount to put on it, just hope I get the interview.
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Hey Jfriday; I had exactly the same problem.
As I've recently dropped out of uni and have no real work experience to my name I felt really pesimistic about how thin my application seemed.
It was under consideration for a day or so and then I was invited to do an interview. I'm not sure if some people have had their application rejected... maybe for the more important things such as medical problems.
Good luck.
As I've recently dropped out of uni and have no real work experience to my name I felt really pesimistic about how thin my application seemed.
It was under consideration for a day or so and then I was invited to do an interview. I'm not sure if some people have had their application rejected... maybe for the more important things such as medical problems.
Good luck.
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Booked my stage 1 for March 13th in London.. I know the session is 4 hours long however what is involved in the 4 hours?? Is it all tests??
I practiced online assessments on SHL "Checking" and "Numbers" .. I had 35/40 for checking and I cant remember my numbers..
Well done to everyone in here that are getting/ have got to stage 2, 3 and further..
I practiced online assessments on SHL "Checking" and "Numbers" .. I had 35/40 for checking and I cant remember my numbers..
Well done to everyone in here that are getting/ have got to stage 2, 3 and further..

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Stage 1 basic checking - the PDF has "find a pair in 5 groups" type of questions, whereas last years messages describe "find a match for the group on the right among the 5 groups on the left" kind of test.
So, what will I see on Stage1?
So, what will I see on Stage1?
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SergeyKa, when I did the test a few weeks ago the format for the checking was find the letters or numbers which correspond to a given sequence eg:
67687 A.67678 B.67687 C.66787 D.68767 E.67667
You would obviously pick B as the correct answer.
Hope this helps
Thinking about it, although I think this is correct, I couldn't say that I'm 100% sure.
67687 A.67678 B.67687 C.66787 D.68767 E.67667
You would obviously pick B as the correct answer.
Hope this helps
Thinking about it, although I think this is correct, I couldn't say that I'm 100% sure.
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Thanks jfriday, I've been training my loft for the more difficult "find a pair" exercise, reaching 35-37 
Anyone interested in a C snippet that'll compile on any linux and do the job? Send a PM and I'll reply with The Source!
...converting to "find the match"...

Anyone interested in a C snippet that'll compile on any linux and do the job? Send a PM and I'll reply with The Source!
...converting to "find the match"...
Last edited by SergeyKa; 19th Feb 2009 at 18:04.