NATS interview process

[CookiemonsterW]

Average Age

What's the average ago of people starting to train as ATC's? Is 28 too old?!

Also, how do you find a contact to get in touch with Area Control Centre's for a visit? - impossible to find contact names!

[NeoDude]

31 here. Starting at the college in January.

[CookiemonsterW]

Average Age

Hi NeoDude
What were you doing before you decided to train as ATC? Bit worried that is complete change of career for me if I get through. Feels like am potentially giving up good job and good salary in short term. Hopefully long term will be worth it.

[NeoDude]

I'm currently a very well paid Electronics Test Engineer but it's ultimately not what I want to do with my life. I want an aviation related career that I will enjoy (and will also fund my evil empire's plans to take over the world, *cue evil laugh*)

[Odi]

Started at CATC aged 33, I'm now 42 and loving every minute of it. Was the oldest on my course by some years.

[Gonzo]

Odi.....I'm confused.....

I'm now 42

And yet your profile under your username says 41!!!!

Myself, I was 18 when I started at CATC, now 28.

[Ivor_Novello]

The only problem with starting a new career / life in older age is that NATS will not necessarily send you where you want to go.
It's easy to make new friends and start from scratch when you're 18, maybe not so easy once over 30.

Still worth a try though, especially if your current job doesn't give you satisfaction.

I don't think a half hour visit to the tower will tell you if this is the career for you. It took me 3 years in my current job to decide I wanted out of it (I loved it when I started).

I have aviation experience, several visits to Towers, Approach, ACC, and still don't know whether it's for me or not. But still gonna give it a try, you;ve got nothing to lose.... apart from your current job

Ivor

[Odi]

Oh yeh, slight mistype there.

Maybe explains why I was banished to the Ice Station.........!!

(I am 41, honest!)

[tuftyfella]

Hi folks. i joined up to get some information on a possible visit to a local airport tower/ NATS center with regards becoming an ATCO.

So, would anyone be able to post / message me contact information for airports - Leeds + Bradford and Manchester, so i can organise a visit to help me decide if i want to apply to become an ATCO? i have tried searching the relevant airports home webpages but am unsure of which numbers to use to get in contact with them, with regards a visit...

would just like to say also that reading this thread has been a real insight into how the interview process works and is invaluable.

thanks for any help folks

[bencoder]

Had my stage 2 yesterday and got an email today informing me that I got through.

My stage 3 is on the 22nd, just over a week away, and I would really like to get in a visit to Swanwick or West Drayton or, preferably, both, before the next stage.

Could I get contact details for these places. I've managed to find an address for Swanwick, but I'm not sure if a letter would be fast enough, considering the short notice for stage 3.

thanks very much in advance

Ben

[atcowannabe]

I would suggest that contacting HR would be the best bet.

[Shamrock274]

bencoder

Check your PM on who to contact at Swanwick

Thats the email add of the person responsible for arranging visits (so i was told today) to Swanwick. WHen i phoned West Drayton, I was told they are not taking visits coz of preparations for the move

All the best mate

274

[bencoder]

Thanks very much EIN274,

Much appreciated,

Ben

[ManWithNoMouth]

Hi everyone, first post on here and this thread has been a very interesting read. It would have been useful finding it earlier but regardless it's been invaluable info, so many thanks to everyone that contributed!

I'm currently awaiting my stage 3 on the 22nd this month, this is my first attempt. Bencoder, I also had my stage 2 same day as you so I guess I'll see you there!

I just have 1 question about the stage 3 process, if anyone happens to know the answer. With the technical interview, will there be any questions outside the scope of the motivation documents provided at stage 1 and 2? Then if so, what "extra-curricular" info would you recommend reading?

[bencoder]

ManWithNoMouth, Hi, were you in the morning session or the 12:15 session? I was in the 12:15 session, just curious if I met you.

Have you looked at the tiscali site?

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/radar2001..._interview.htm

This page in particular has information about the technical interview. Although the website is somewhat out of date, almost all the information on there has been relevant to the process I've been through, so I expect the process hasn't changed dramatically for the technical interview.

Ben

[watch_the_birdie]

Hello,

Just to say I had my stage 3 a few weeks back, and passed

For the question about technical questions within the interview, there was nothing asked that I felt was outside of the reading material you have been given. To be honest, I felt over prepared, and was a bit disappointed I wasn't asked more! But maybe they were being nice to me...the other girl I was with had a different interview pair, and she said she had a tough time yet she said that again, it was nothing out of the "knowledge" you should have from reading those booklets. I think they just asked her more questions than me!

Common sense is your best friend in the interview. Just think about what you are saying is sensible, and you can't really go wrong. I know I got some of the "technical" questions wrong, because they told me in the interview whilst I was doing it, but then you can save yourself by explaining your thought process for what you thought was the right answer...well that's what I did anyway. And I guess it worked.

All the best. Honestly, it's fine

[aerotech07]

I just have 1 question about the stage 3 process, if anyone happens to know the answer. With the technical interview, will there be any questions outside the scope of the motivation documents provided at stage 1 and 2? Then if so, what "extra-curricular" info would you recommend reading?

Don't get hung up on the term 'technical interview'. It sounds very daunting and formal, and I expected a right grilling. However in my experience it was fairly laid back and almost a pleasant experience. I was asked questions and opinions on sets of circumstances that you may be in; some ATC related, although there were a couple of general life situations as well.

Not all of the ATC questions were based on material from the motivational documents. However, a lot of it was common sense, and stuff that anyone with more than a passing interest in the job and aviation should know. I would say though, keeping the motivational paper stuff in mind is a good idea.

My advice, keep calm (I know how hard that sounds), make sure you do read the learning materials beforehand, and try to enjoy it! Don't be daunted as it will show on the day. Within five-ten minutes of the interview starting I had relaxed a lot and felt far better about it as a whole.

[ManWithNoMouth]

Thanks for the feedback guys, that's reassured me on that aspect. So it sounds like enthusiasm and some common sense will see you through. I'm quite looking forward to it now! It's exciting anyway being this close.

I did have that link bencoder, you're right it's very relevent and it's been useful - it just mentioned a couple of technical aspects that I wasn't aware of from the material so far. I guess there's no harm in doing some extra reading on those anyway. I was indeed in the morning interview that day so I will have missed you.

[q2663589]

Good Morning.
Is there anybody out there who can tell me if there are any stage 2 dates set for December and if so what these are?
Thank-you.

[JonG]

Surely if you've got through to stage 2 they will have given you the list of available dates to choose from?