NATS interview process
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 66
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From: Medway
Marco - how many people were at your S1 today? My friend was there too but I'm yet to hear from him. Fingers crossed for the both of you!
I'm hoping I've scraped through on the diagramming. Last year I remember having similar problems and I got through. So there's still a chance.
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Yeovil Somerset
Hello everybody!
Hi there, to anyone who has sat stage 1 tests recently! I'm about to re-take my stage 1 tests in February, & would really appreciate if you could confirm aproximately the No of questions in each test & also the time limits, just to have a clue of what to expect & if anything has changed... Could you also recall in the diagramming test, how many Q's with a diamond attached at the bottom symbol were there (which alters the whole figure & presents the column in a different order)? Thanks a lot in advance, & special thanks to everyone who has contributed their valuable info to this forum, good luck to all those waiting for their results fingers crossed & good luck to all new applicants!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Middlesex
I passed stage 3!
Got the congratulations email yesterday! Absolutely gobsmacked and so happy!
Congratulations to everyone else who has just passed - I did stage 3 last Thursday, did anyone else from that day pass too?
Thank you to everyone - particularly Pat42 - who has posted helpful info on here, very much appreciated!
Congratulations to everyone else who has just passed - I did stage 3 last Thursday, did anyone else from that day pass too?
Thank you to everyone - particularly Pat42 - who has posted helpful info on here, very much appreciated!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Manchester
Congratulations everyone who has recently passed stage 3 and is through. well done to you all.
Cavokay...
I recently did stage 1.. to be honest cant remember a lot of the details however i do remember the ATC paper was 20 mins long. And that in the diagramming it was the ones towards the end that had the diamong order things. This was about 25% of the paper. hope this helps a little.
Loz x
Cavokay...
I recently did stage 1.. to be honest cant remember a lot of the details however i do remember the ATC paper was 20 mins long. And that in the diagramming it was the ones towards the end that had the diamong order things. This was about 25% of the paper. hope this helps a little.
Loz x
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Berkshire
Finally got my medical through today - I did stage 3 in September! Anyhow all is well so I imagine I'll be on the August area. I have never posted and only found this site just before my stage 3 but it was very helpful so thanks everybody.
I saw some posts a few pages back looking for advice on prep work. I have no history in aviation and have been out of education a few years so I think I need to get my brain warmed up! Does anyone have any pointers for me?
I saw some posts a few pages back looking for advice on prep work. I have no history in aviation and have been out of education a few years so I think I need to get my brain warmed up! Does anyone have any pointers for me?
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Iran
some advice
Dear esq,
I am an ATCO in Iran. I came across the NATS vacancies the other day on the Internet. I had to choose a date for the interview but I could not risk since I am not sure about getting visa. I really feel frustrated because they do not send me an invitation.
I was wondering if you could help me with your information.
I remain, yours,
Kurosh
I am an ATCO in Iran. I came across the NATS vacancies the other day on the Internet. I had to choose a date for the interview but I could not risk since I am not sure about getting visa. I really feel frustrated because they do not send me an invitation.
I was wondering if you could help me with your information.
I remain, yours,
Kurosh
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Woking, Surrey
Kurosh, I think you would need to approach them as an experienced hire rather than through the trainee ATCO route. I don't know about how you would get a visa, but you would need to be authorised to work in the UK and pass security vetting. Best to contact NATS directly rather than using the online application process I should think.
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Home
Kurosh,
As Jonathan says, the best thing to do would be to contact NATS directly. You'll be able to find contact details on their website.
If you are already an experienced ATCO and they are interested in hiring you then they may well be prepared to discuss alternative routes into the company. Obviously there will be a certain amount of requalifying to do to convert your licence to one that is valid in the UK, but it might be possible to make that conversion without going through the entire training process from scratch (which is what you will have to do if you continue through the normal application process).
If you do have to go through the usual application process then normally you'll get invited to attend one of a selection of test days which are usually no further than about a month or so in advance. Obviously this doesn't give you a lot of time to sort out visas and flights, but a conversation with NATS might enable you to book a course further into the future. If successful at stage 1 you'll get invited to the next stage, and then if successful there you will be invited to the final stage. It can take several weeks for NATS to process your results at each stage, and then another few weeks before the next available test date, so if I were you I'd either be prepared to be making quite a few trips to the UK or to come and stay for quite a prolonged period of time (once you've factored in medicals the whole process can take over 4 months). I should also point out that you will need to ensure that you have eligibility to live and work in the UK and have secured any necessary permissions required to do so before you apply, NATS won't usually offer you any interviews until after this is all sorted.
Good luck and I hope you manage to get it all sorted
As Jonathan says, the best thing to do would be to contact NATS directly. You'll be able to find contact details on their website.
If you are already an experienced ATCO and they are interested in hiring you then they may well be prepared to discuss alternative routes into the company. Obviously there will be a certain amount of requalifying to do to convert your licence to one that is valid in the UK, but it might be possible to make that conversion without going through the entire training process from scratch (which is what you will have to do if you continue through the normal application process).
If you do have to go through the usual application process then normally you'll get invited to attend one of a selection of test days which are usually no further than about a month or so in advance. Obviously this doesn't give you a lot of time to sort out visas and flights, but a conversation with NATS might enable you to book a course further into the future. If successful at stage 1 you'll get invited to the next stage, and then if successful there you will be invited to the final stage. It can take several weeks for NATS to process your results at each stage, and then another few weeks before the next available test date, so if I were you I'd either be prepared to be making quite a few trips to the UK or to come and stay for quite a prolonged period of time (once you've factored in medicals the whole process can take over 4 months). I should also point out that you will need to ensure that you have eligibility to live and work in the UK and have secured any necessary permissions required to do so before you apply, NATS won't usually offer you any interviews until after this is all sorted.
Good luck and I hope you manage to get it all sorted
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Darlington
Hi all,
I am due to (finally!) start at the college in May and have a quick question.
At what point do you start working shifts? I know that the college part of the training is 'office hours' type of working but does this continue after you are posted or do you go onto shifts before validation?
Cheers and good luck,
Steven
I am due to (finally!) start at the college in May and have a quick question.
At what point do you start working shifts? I know that the college part of the training is 'office hours' type of working but does this continue after you are posted or do you go onto shifts before validation?
Cheers and good luck,
Steven
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Darlington
Fumbles88
Congrats on getting through!
I'm due to start on Area in August too and am from Darlo - have you had any thoughts on accomodation etc yet?
Fun & Games - Accident Claims A gentle game for you all to try (Click on the ATC game)
I'm due to start on Area in August too and am from Darlo - have you had any thoughts on accomodation etc yet?
Fun & Games - Accident Claims A gentle game for you all to try (Click on the ATC game)
Last edited by DaleyDFC; 21st January 2010 at 13:12.
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Lanarkshire
Hi, I applied online and have 1st stage interview in Prestwick on 29th Jan. I'm just wondering what my chances are of getting through stage 1 (never mind all 3 stages) actually are!! Do alot of people apply for this? I know nothing of aviation but will try my best to learn the given information. This career path was reccomended by a friend of my parents as I have been out of work (with my degree) for 3 months and I'm at a total loose end!!!
Amy
Amy
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: EGLL
Finally received confirmation of my EU Class 3 [UK Class 1] from the CAA today! I am completely ecstatic!
Will fax NATS HR my certificate once it arrives in the post and will hopefully be starting in Bournemouth later this year!
Will fax NATS HR my certificate once it arrives in the post and will hopefully be starting in Bournemouth later this year!