NATS interview process
Join Date: Nov 2008
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Andrea,
There is a fixed number of people for each course but this isn't always the same for each course - e.g. April/May seems to be exceptionally large in comparison with other recent start dates. It also depends on how many people failed the course last time and will need a space to re-sit. However, if you pass Stage 3, you will get on a course, but when that will be is another matter...
All people who pass a certain mark on the Stage 1 tests get asked to complete the online personality questionnaire.
There is a fixed number of people for each course but this isn't always the same for each course - e.g. April/May seems to be exceptionally large in comparison with other recent start dates. It also depends on how many people failed the course last time and will need a space to re-sit. However, if you pass Stage 3, you will get on a course, but when that will be is another matter...
All people who pass a certain mark on the Stage 1 tests get asked to complete the online personality questionnaire.
Join Date: Mar 2009
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i have read through all of the pages and I was wondering if someone could please recommend me a few aptitude books so that i can practise before stage 1 in a few weeks?!? i have looked and I cant seem to find any books...so any help would be greatly appreciated!!!
Join Date: Jan 2008
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gingerpaul,
I hope your stage one was a success. Good powers of observation and perception are likely to be very useful qualities in ATC.
Oh, and get used to the funny colours. I believe NATS establishments are ablaze with them!
I hope your stage one was a success. Good powers of observation and perception are likely to be very useful qualities in ATC.
Oh, and get used to the funny colours. I believe NATS establishments are ablaze with them!
Join Date: Mar 2009
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gingerpaul
Yeah I was the one who initiated the conversation with the two guys I spoke to! Hence me asking and knowing where they came from and what industry they're currently in. But it seems most were just really focussed, so I guess I can't blame them - but after the testing I thought people would say 'how you feel it went for you etc?' Instead everyone was out quicker than farting in the wind!!! I did notice the other group were still under test conditions, and I think they came out 20+ minutes after we left.
Yeah I was the one who initiated the conversation with the two guys I spoke to! Hence me asking and knowing where they came from and what industry they're currently in. But it seems most were just really focussed, so I guess I can't blame them - but after the testing I thought people would say 'how you feel it went for you etc?' Instead everyone was out quicker than farting in the wind!!! I did notice the other group were still under test conditions, and I think they came out 20+ minutes after we left.
Join Date: Mar 2009
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Im studing Technology and Design ICT and Economics which is sooooo boring because the teacher i get makes u want to go to sleep lol
i am really interested in ATC and i will normally push myself for the subjects i love like technology but i just cant get my head around economics lol ict is a doss but the exam process has changed and its gettin alot harder
i am really interested in ATC and i will normally push myself for the subjects i love like technology but i just cant get my head around economics lol ict is a doss but the exam process has changed and its gettin alot harder
Join Date: Feb 2007
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I suspect that some parts of the college course will be quite boring too (Air Law anyone?!), but you will have to persevere to get through it... Learning Economics should be good practice! 
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Least im not the only 1 to fail stage 2 now. (hadn't read anywhere in this thread people failing it) I got some feedback using the message centre on my application form.
See you next year?
See you next year?
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Nothern Ireland
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No its not just ATC its just i have been interested in Aviation all my life and because i cant afford to become a piolet then this is the next best thing and hopefully will give me a good salary and experience so that i can go on and become a piolet.
Plus other people make it sound really good and they say its the best decision of their lives and i havent heard 1 negative feedback yet!!!!!!
Plus other people make it sound really good and they say its the best decision of their lives and i havent heard 1 negative feedback yet!!!!!!
Join Date: Feb 2007
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Many ATCOs do fly part-time, but stating that your career plan is to become an ATCO to earn money and then go and become a pilot may not be the best route to convincing the recruiters that you're worth the investment in your ATCO training!
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Aberdeen
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Abz217, I agree with JonathanB, the chances of you being recruited if NATS think you are going to leave to become a pilot are non-existent. The enormous outlay to recruit and train controllers takes several years to recoup before NATS even begin to make a profit from you.
You probably haven't helped yourself either that any future recruiters reading this site (this is the next best thing) knows enough about you to work out which application is yours.
finally, there no 'e' in pilot.
shugs
You probably haven't helped yourself either that any future recruiters reading this site (this is the next best thing) knows enough about you to work out which application is yours.
finally, there no 'e' in pilot.
shugs
Join Date: Nov 2008
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Abz217,
I have to agree with JonathanB here - there are a few questions in the course of the application (stage 2 especially) that seem to be asking whether you actually want to be a pilot but for some reason aren't going to be, and have therefore selected ATC as the 'second best'. From this, I'm guessing they don't think too highly of that strategy...
My other half is a commercial pilot and from what I hear, I'm not sure I'd want to go through ATC training and validation, and then go through groundschool and ATPL! Personally, I think the characteristics of ATCOs and pilots sometimes differ, so being good at one might not mean good at the other - I may have just opened a can of worms there...
Have you considered joining the RAF to be a pilot?
I have to agree with JonathanB here - there are a few questions in the course of the application (stage 2 especially) that seem to be asking whether you actually want to be a pilot but for some reason aren't going to be, and have therefore selected ATC as the 'second best'. From this, I'm guessing they don't think too highly of that strategy...
My other half is a commercial pilot and from what I hear, I'm not sure I'd want to go through ATC training and validation, and then go through groundschool and ATPL! Personally, I think the characteristics of ATCOs and pilots sometimes differ, so being good at one might not mean good at the other - I may have just opened a can of worms there...
Have you considered joining the RAF to be a pilot?
Join Date: Mar 2009
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I have considered joinin the RAF for the piolet course but i dont want to join the army ever lol
I am very interested in TATC but i think i might got a PPL like part time after i get my TATC licence. I dont think i wil want to become a commercial piolet but just fly as an extra curicular activity if you know what i mean or just for my own enjoyment
I am very interested in TATC but i think i might got a PPL like part time after i get my TATC licence. I dont think i wil want to become a commercial piolet but just fly as an extra curicular activity if you know what i mean or just for my own enjoyment
Join Date: Feb 2007
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My other half is a commercial pilot and from what I hear, I'm not sure I'd want to go through ATC training and validation, and then go through groundschool and ATPL! Personally, I think the characteristics of ATCOs and pilots sometimes differ, so being good at one might not mean good at the other - I may have just opened a can of worms there...
Join Date: Feb 2009
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So, I failed my stage 2... feedback says:
"You failed in the interview due to the nature of the interview"... Does this mean I passed the computer bits, but failed at the HR structured interview bit?
"You failed in the interview due to the nature of the interview"... Does this mean I passed the computer bits, but failed at the HR structured interview bit?
Join Date: Aug 2008
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I have my stage 3 coming up next week and was wondering if the other stages have any bearing on whether you make it or not? To they take into account your performance on the computer tests or is it solely about how you do on the day?