NATS interview process
Join Date: Feb 2007
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MY motivational was online, and I think the one after stage 1 is too.
I cant remember if you got scrap paper to work out stuff on, but the answers were put on another sheet [i think it was one of those OCR mark sheets that computers can 'read']... and therefore, you have a booklet with the questions in and as long as you do your working in small writing you could cheekily use the white on the Q B'let to do working... but I'm sure they would give you scrap if you wanted to do it by-the-book.
on my stage 2 it was 4 of us sat round a large table in a small room, and the HR lady exited the room for the whole test... ie left us unsupervised- AND for more time than we should have been allowed on the tests.... not that i am complaining- just giving you a picture of my experience.
on my test the DST Q's were at the end and as far as i can recall they were the only ones you could use working to help you... doing the process again i would have started with THOSE and THEN done the easier ones as your brain looses its power towards the end
[well mine did]
I cant remember if you got scrap paper to work out stuff on, but the answers were put on another sheet [i think it was one of those OCR mark sheets that computers can 'read']... and therefore, you have a booklet with the questions in and as long as you do your working in small writing you could cheekily use the white on the Q B'let to do working... but I'm sure they would give you scrap if you wanted to do it by-the-book.
on my stage 2 it was 4 of us sat round a large table in a small room, and the HR lady exited the room for the whole test... ie left us unsupervised- AND for more time than we should have been allowed on the tests.... not that i am complaining- just giving you a picture of my experience.
on my test the DST Q's were at the end and as far as i can recall they were the only ones you could use working to help you... doing the process again i would have started with THOSE and THEN done the easier ones as your brain looses its power towards the end
[well mine did]
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: london
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essential qualities
I was just thinking about the question "what are the essential qualities for an air traffic controller to have".
At the moment I can come up with just 3,
an ability to concentrate for long periods of time,
an ability to stay calm under pressure
and an ability to communicate clearly.
Anyone with any other suggestions?
At the moment I can come up with just 3,
an ability to concentrate for long periods of time,
an ability to stay calm under pressure
and an ability to communicate clearly.
Anyone with any other suggestions?
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Be decisive and flexible is a good one.
If you know you're right then stick to your guns but if somebody presents you a better idea/solution then be prepared to back down and change your mind.
They'll probably make you do this a bit in your interview eg. You'll get presented with a scenario and they'll ask what you would do. They will then give you more info and you have to decide whether to stick with your original plan or change.
Good luck
If you know you're right then stick to your guns but if somebody presents you a better idea/solution then be prepared to back down and change your mind.
They'll probably make you do this a bit in your interview eg. You'll get presented with a scenario and they'll ask what you would do. They will then give you more info and you have to decide whether to stick with your original plan or change.
Good luck
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Passed 3rd Stage. Now What???
Hi folks, i passed 3rd stage a week or two ago. Start at the college in september.
I have the medical on the 29th june. Assuming that is successful then i have a few issues on my mind. Not sure if this is the correct thread to post them on... but this thread has been really helpful.
The issues mainly relate to the fact that on a £10k salary, u need to get all your living expenses together etc? Is anyone in the same position as me? In the respect of the fact i am based in Glasgow, so in the first instance it is a big move for me? But also i cant feasibly see any way of manging by myself on that amount of many? Surely it would a case of sharing digs?
Im really looking to see if anyone is the same boat? And with a September start date? what you're plans are etc etc??
Also I was in glasgow for the 3rd stage? I dont know if Kevin etc are on this site? We had two scots a welshman and irishman. All we needed was an englishman and we'd have our own ready made joke.
In all seriousness though i would appreciate any help, advice or contacts regarding the move?
Cheers for now.
I have the medical on the 29th june. Assuming that is successful then i have a few issues on my mind. Not sure if this is the correct thread to post them on... but this thread has been really helpful.
The issues mainly relate to the fact that on a £10k salary, u need to get all your living expenses together etc? Is anyone in the same position as me? In the respect of the fact i am based in Glasgow, so in the first instance it is a big move for me? But also i cant feasibly see any way of manging by myself on that amount of many? Surely it would a case of sharing digs?
Im really looking to see if anyone is the same boat? And with a September start date? what you're plans are etc etc??
Also I was in glasgow for the 3rd stage? I dont know if Kevin etc are on this site? We had two scots a welshman and irishman. All we needed was an englishman and we'd have our own ready made joke.
In all seriousness though i would appreciate any help, advice or contacts regarding the move?
Cheers for now.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: LHR/EGLL
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Hey all,
I too have (just about) been accepted to the training course, passed my CAA medical on monday, had to go do it on a referral from NATS themselves due to a potential problem but thats another issue...
Anyway just thought id make myself known to anyone who is on here and is starting at the college in sept or will already be there. know its gonna be hard work but its gotta be worth it... right??
now all i gotta do is tell the gf im leaving in sept for a while
I too have (just about) been accepted to the training course, passed my CAA medical on monday, had to go do it on a referral from NATS themselves due to a potential problem but thats another issue...
Anyway just thought id make myself known to anyone who is on here and is starting at the college in sept or will already be there. know its gonna be hard work but its gotta be worth it... right??
now all i gotta do is tell the gf im leaving in sept for a while
Join Date: Jun 2007
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if your med is with nats in swanwick prob same day cause i had to be referred for a second opinion to the caa, so i assume if its all fine they tell you there and then. if however you do need to go to the caa again they would grant you the certificate there and then when you pass the examination.
its not as stringent as maybe i thought it would be, just try and stay relaxed for the ecg. and theres no blood tests at all
good luck simfly
its not as stringent as maybe i thought it would be, just try and stay relaxed for the ecg. and theres no blood tests at all
good luck simfly
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Reading, UK
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Apparently, I've just missed a change in the medical process. Now, NATS AMEs cannot issue a CAA class one medical. They will give you the same medical as the CAA and, providing you pass, will then bus you and several coursemates off to Gatwick to hav an official medical whilst at the college. If they deem you fit, but with possible cause for worry (couldn't think of a better way to put it), they'll send you off to Gatwick before you start at the college! Best of luck, Ricky.
Join Date: Sep 2005
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Apparently, I've just missed a change in the medical process. Now, NATS AMEs cannot issue a CAA class one medical. They will give you the same medical as the CAA and, providing you pass, will then bus you and several coursemates off to Gatwick to hav an official medical whilst at the college. If they deem you fit, but with possible cause for worry (couldn't think of a better way to put it), they'll send you off to Gatwick before you start at the college! Best of luck, Ricky.
What if NATS passed you, you quit your job, enrolled at college, and in week 2 the CAA pick up an issue and withdraw your license? I know it could go at anytime, but surely it's better to have the official one before you actually make the move to the college, both for the trainee and for NATS (with places available in college etc)
Join Date: Apr 2005
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I agree entirely.
Being someone who has this slightly worrisome period between being NATS fit and CAA fit - apparently the CAA medical will be sometime after our basic course..!
I asked - and seemingly the NATS one is stricter so if you pass that you will "definitely" pass the CAA one..
Why not send everyone to gatwick? The reason I was given was cost.. if they want to fail someone theyd rather do it in house than it cost them £400 or however much it is. Also with the high volume of applicants there may well not be enough time between recruitment and start-of-course for everyone to get CAA ones booked in.
The NATS one is "a medical that checks you'll be fit for your whole career" whereas the CAA one is "for the next 2 years".. which is a valid point, they're probably checking more things at the NATS ones. Things like eyesight tolerances are much tighter for the NATS than CAA, so that's why they can't send everyone straight to Gatwick I suppose.
It's still very annoying!
Being someone who has this slightly worrisome period between being NATS fit and CAA fit - apparently the CAA medical will be sometime after our basic course..!
I asked - and seemingly the NATS one is stricter so if you pass that you will "definitely" pass the CAA one..
Why not send everyone to gatwick? The reason I was given was cost.. if they want to fail someone theyd rather do it in house than it cost them £400 or however much it is. Also with the high volume of applicants there may well not be enough time between recruitment and start-of-course for everyone to get CAA ones booked in.
The NATS one is "a medical that checks you'll be fit for your whole career" whereas the CAA one is "for the next 2 years".. which is a valid point, they're probably checking more things at the NATS ones. Things like eyesight tolerances are much tighter for the NATS than CAA, so that's why they can't send everyone straight to Gatwick I suppose.
It's still very annoying!
Join Date: Sep 2005
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Now, NATS AMEs cannot issue a CAA class one medical.
I asked - and seemingly the NATS one is stricter so if you pass that you will "definitely" pass the CAA one..
The NATS one is "a medical that checks you'll be fit for your whole career" whereas the CAA one is "for the next 2 years".. which is a valid point
So, is the NATS medical legal? What I mean is, who issues the actual medical that allows you to operate as an ATCO?
If NATS are no longer allowed to issue Class 1's, what legal ground are they on in terms of not given someone a chance to train because they failed the medical at NATS, if this person then goes to the CAA under their own steam and passes. What happens if they can prove NATS rejected their application on medical grounds, but they hold a valid Class 1.
I'm curious about the checking for your entire career, is that really possible? Are we not looking at genetic profiling here
Interesting question though about what if..
Join Date: Mar 2004
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The NATS medical is a "pre-employment medical", and has nothing to do with the CAA Class 1 Medical - although as mentioned previously, if you can pass this, the CAA one will be fine.
If they don't have anything to double-check, you get the result straight away.
If they don't have anything to double-check, you get the result straight away.
Join Date: Jun 2007
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What are these DST tests that people are referring to? I take it from the acronym this is 'Decision Support Tool' related as opposed to some kind of timezone related issue...
I can't find anything in the prep materials concerning this.
I can't find anything in the prep materials concerning this.
Join Date: Dec 1999
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Distance - Speed - Time 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?
etc etc
The only decision support tool I use at work is a coin, or sometime a set of dice.
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?
etc etc
The only decision support tool I use at work is a coin, or sometime a set of dice.
