NATS interview process
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: Cheshire, UK
The 'diamonds' related to the diagramming test are a sort of secondary action which is applied and restructures the order of the sequence after you've performed the primary actions such as reverse colours etc.
So for example, in the hardest questions of the test towards the end, there are 4 boxes to perform actions on and then at the bottom of the chain is a diamond attached indicating that a restructuring/reordering is required like reversing the whole sequence, in reversing it means reversing the order after the result of the commands, so 1-2-3-4 becomes 4-3-2-1 etc.
Hope this makes sense, the diamond attached questions come about half way through the test if I remember correctly. Make good use of the scrap paper and you should be ok. Good luck.
So for example, in the hardest questions of the test towards the end, there are 4 boxes to perform actions on and then at the bottom of the chain is a diamond attached indicating that a restructuring/reordering is required like reversing the whole sequence, in reversing it means reversing the order after the result of the commands, so 1-2-3-4 becomes 4-3-2-1 etc.
Hope this makes sense, the diamond attached questions come about half way through the test if I remember correctly. Make good use of the scrap paper and you should be ok. Good luck.
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Home
ATC assistants
Hi Loz,
Regarding your question about ATC assistants: I spoke to the assistants at Southampton about this when I was visiting their tower.
Basically there isn't an enourmous demand for this role, apparently NATS generally fill their requirement for assistants by recruiting people who have failed at college as TATCOs (I guess they figure they've already invested in you quite a bit, and you've already had a lot of very helpful training). Occasionally NATS might advertise for assistants, but I don't think they've done so in a very long time.
Non NATS airfields will generally advertise publicly for assistants (check flight magazine etc.) but these roles don't come around a lot. Sometimes this can be a good back door route into ATC - become an assistant at a non NATS airfield, and then later on if they need new ATCOs and if you are lucky then they might sponsor you through one of the non NATS courses (i.e. probably at Cwmbran).
Regarding your question about ATC assistants: I spoke to the assistants at Southampton about this when I was visiting their tower.
Basically there isn't an enourmous demand for this role, apparently NATS generally fill their requirement for assistants by recruiting people who have failed at college as TATCOs (I guess they figure they've already invested in you quite a bit, and you've already had a lot of very helpful training). Occasionally NATS might advertise for assistants, but I don't think they've done so in a very long time.
Non NATS airfields will generally advertise publicly for assistants (check flight magazine etc.) but these roles don't come around a lot. Sometimes this can be a good back door route into ATC - become an assistant at a non NATS airfield, and then later on if they need new ATCOs and if you are lucky then they might sponsor you through one of the non NATS courses (i.e. probably at Cwmbran).
Last edited by Pat42; 25th January 2010 at 14:10.
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: 285ft agl
Stage 3 - 29th January
Hi Guys,
Anyone having their stage 3 this Friday? I'm most likely going to look for a B&B to stay in Thursday night, if anyone else is then I wouldn't mind discussing stage 3 with anyone interested in sharing experience/knowledge.
Thanks!
Scotty
Anyone having their stage 3 this Friday? I'm most likely going to look for a B&B to stay in Thursday night, if anyone else is then I wouldn't mind discussing stage 3 with anyone interested in sharing experience/knowledge.
Thanks!
Scotty
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 0
From: Greystation
Loz4085 - ref becoming an ATSA (Air Traffic Services Assistant). With AC Swanwick going paperless next March (well, maybe!) there are many assistant posts being made redundant, so those that are currently employed in the AC Ops Room are filling up all the other posts around the country when possible. Several towers have also gone paperless so assistant numbers are dropping there too. Basically, not much hope of a NATS ATSA job.
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Crawley
Newbie :)
Hi Guys
I recently applied for ATC, i just got the emails a couple of days ago inviting me to do the online test and for the s1 selection test. im doing my research and so glad i came across this forum! so many helpful people! i chose a test date for 2 months time so i can really do my homework- i really want this job! my question is, the first test is an online test- and reading through the forum i was getting confused- is it the personality test or something else? i even read that the online test doesnt even count?! im obviously not going to assume that but I just want to make sure im prepared for each one. thanks
I recently applied for ATC, i just got the emails a couple of days ago inviting me to do the online test and for the s1 selection test. im doing my research and so glad i came across this forum! so many helpful people! i chose a test date for 2 months time so i can really do my homework- i really want this job! my question is, the first test is an online test- and reading through the forum i was getting confused- is it the personality test or something else? i even read that the online test doesnt even count?! im obviously not going to assume that but I just want to make sure im prepared for each one. thanks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: UK
Hi all,
I've got my Stage 1 tests on the 5th February in Fareham, and I'm having proverbial kittens over the aptitude tests. Can anyone tell me if the basic structure of the testing is the same as the "Practice Leaflet 2" they recommend or whether they have dropped/added any set of questions?
Hoping for the best, expecting the worst - I've never been the most technically-minded of people. We'll see!
Thanks in advance
I've got my Stage 1 tests on the 5th February in Fareham, and I'm having proverbial kittens over the aptitude tests. Can anyone tell me if the basic structure of the testing is the same as the "Practice Leaflet 2" they recommend or whether they have dropped/added any set of questions?
Hoping for the best, expecting the worst - I've never been the most technically-minded of people. We'll see!
Thanks in advance
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: Cheshire, UK
Check the NATS HR Recruitment (ATCO Careers) website to look up what the latest tests are for stage 1. This should be in a pdf form, under the eligibility/application process tab on the site.
The pratice leaflet, if its the same one I had for last year is now incorrect, or at least its misleading as I believe there is no longer the basic checking test, this has been replaced with a mathematics test which is not mentioned in the practice SHL leaflet although it is mentioned in the aforementioned pdf of 'stage 1 what to expect'.
A word of warning - I think most people find the stage 1 tests are harder and more complex than the practice examples provided, although its still possible to complete them all (I did) but be prepared!
Good luck
The pratice leaflet, if its the same one I had for last year is now incorrect, or at least its misleading as I believe there is no longer the basic checking test, this has been replaced with a mathematics test which is not mentioned in the practice SHL leaflet although it is mentioned in the aforementioned pdf of 'stage 1 what to expect'.
A word of warning - I think most people find the stage 1 tests are harder and more complex than the practice examples provided, although its still possible to complete them all (I did
) but be prepared!Good luck
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: UK
Gonna be travelling by train from Essex, I live in Billericay currently.
I've got quite different problem though, as I'm not English I think it might be quite a challenge for me.
Anyway, we just need to prepare and face it! I'll see you in Whiteley then.
regards.
I've got quite different problem though, as I'm not English I think it might be quite a challenge for me.
Anyway, we just need to prepare and face it! I'll see you in Whiteley then.
regards.
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: far away
london -> bournemouth
I'll spend a week in London with my girlfriend and I would like to take visit to Bournemouth, just to get familiar with the city-i-hope-that-i-will-be-trained-here and other stuff.
Can you recommend to me some cheap way to travel from L to B? Apart from walking, of course
Can you recommend to me some cheap way to travel from L to B? Apart from walking, of course
Last edited by piqla; 25th January 2010 at 19:26.
Joined: Dec 2004
Aviation Qualifications: ATCO
Posts: 306
Likes: 2
From: Down South
The new Greyhound bus service runs to Southampton and Bournemouth, they're often cheaper than than National Express. You may want to book a night stop if you use the coach, it's nearly three hours from London
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Kent
25/01 1230 fareham stage 1
So who here was at the 25/01, 1230 Stage 1 in Fareham?
Quite a few more there than I expected, reading from this thread it seems the average attendees is about 10-15 but there were around 30 or more of us yesterday!
Interested to hear how others thought they did. ATC Motivation & Maths papers went well, however just don't know about the cubes or diagramming! Only got about half way through on both papers so just have to wait and see.
Dissapointed there was no basic checking paper as that was one thing I was good at!
Fingers crossed and good luck to all
Quite a few more there than I expected, reading from this thread it seems the average attendees is about 10-15 but there were around 30 or more of us yesterday!
Interested to hear how others thought they did. ATC Motivation & Maths papers went well, however just don't know about the cubes or diagramming! Only got about half way through on both papers so just have to wait and see.
Dissapointed there was no basic checking paper as that was one thing I was good at!
Fingers crossed and good luck to all
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Edinburgh, Scotland
eeek, sorry for the dude comment!
finally got through to HR, i was still on record, but they thought i'd sat stage 1 so they weren't going to accept my re-application, however it's all sorted now, got my date on the 12th of Feb at Prestwick at a tenderly houred 9am!
hope my weetos do me proud!
finally got through to HR, i was still on record, but they thought i'd sat stage 1 so they weren't going to accept my re-application, however it's all sorted now, got my date on the 12th of Feb at Prestwick at a tenderly houred 9am!
hope my weetos do me proud!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: UK
Aircraft Recognition
Skibz,
Have you been accepted to the college already? I believe about a month before we start we're given access to an online learning tool which contains lots of pre-reading material for the college. I believe an aircraft recognition guide is a part of this.
Maybe stick a post on to the Departure Lounge forum?
Jochi
Have you been accepted to the college already? I believe about a month before we start we're given access to an online learning tool which contains lots of pre-reading material for the college. I believe an aircraft recognition guide is a part of this.
Maybe stick a post on to the Departure Lounge forum?
Jochi