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NATS interview process

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Old 14th Jul 2018, 10:18
  #10601 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by BARRY_SCOTT
I've found out I'm on the July course at Global. If anyone is looking for a flat mate feel free to PM me.
Hi mate, on the same course so will catch up with you there. I’m probably going to commute but good to know someone else is on the course. Have you looked through the lesson slides on the portal yet? Thought a lot of it looked pretty intense!
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Old 15th Jul 2018, 19:37
  #10602 (permalink)  
 
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Jerez January

Stage 3 passed last week. It still hasn’t sunk in but I’m over the moon about it! Medical should be cool so win win.
Received a phone call to tell me and they’ve offered me to start a course in Spain in January.
Has anybody or does anybody have any info on this? Such as how long we’ll be out there, what’s the accommodation like they provide, where is it and so on?
I know I’ll find out in due time I’m just really excited and so far can’t find much out.

Thanks 👍
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Old 15th Jul 2018, 20:22
  #10603 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by Richjonesy
Stage 3 passed last week. It still hasn’t sunk in but I’m over the moon about it! Medical should be cool so win win.
Received a phone call to tell me and they’ve offered me to start a course in Spain in January.
Has anybody or does anybody have any info on this? Such as how long we’ll be out there, what’s the accommodation like they provide, where is it and so on?
I know I’ll find out in due time I’m just really excited and so far can’t find much out.

Thanks 👍
I haven't been offered anything yet, but just done my medical. My guess is I have to pass security first (Im not a UK resident) but after I pass I suspect they'll offer me that aswell so I also would like to know more about Jerez!
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Old 15th Jul 2018, 21:29
  #10604 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by Richjonesy
Stage 3 passed last week. It still hasn’t sunk in but I’m over the moon about it! Medical should be cool so win win.
Received a phone call to tell me and they’ve offered me to start a course in Spain in January.
Has anybody or does anybody have any info on this? Such as how long we’ll be out there, what’s the accommodation like they provide, where is it and so on?
I know I’ll find out in due time I’m just really excited and so far can’t find much out.

Thanks 👍
I'm looking to start the course in Jerez in October. You'll be out in Jerez for 5 months before returning to the CTC in Swanick but that's about all I've been told so far.
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Old 16th Jul 2018, 06:50
  #10605 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by Richjonesy
Stage 3 passed last week. It still hasn’t sunk in but I’m over the moon about it! Medical should be cool so win win.
Received a phone call to tell me and they’ve offered me to start a course in Spain in January.
Has anybody or does anybody have any info on this? Such as how long we’ll be out there, what’s the accommodation like they provide, where is it and so on?
I know I’ll find out in due time I’m just really excited and so far can’t find much out.

Thanks 👍
Hey,

You'll get get loads of introductory info before you come out here. The facilities are good, food is copeable and everyone is pretty friendly. There is a lot of information and you have to start studying from day one, but studying by the pool makes it a lot easier!

best of luck with your medical.
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Old 16th Jul 2018, 18:08
  #10606 (permalink)  
 
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Accepted onto the October 2018 course at the CTC.

Anybody else here too who would like to share details/start a facebook group?
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Old 17th Jul 2018, 17:15
  #10607 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by Prototoes
Accepted onto the October 2018 course at the CTC.

Anybody else here too who would like to share details/start a facebook group?
Hi! Yes I’ll be on that course. Happy to share details and start a group.
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Old 18th Jul 2018, 10:57
  #10608 (permalink)  
 
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Hi everyone, my stage 3 is next wednesday. I have prepared a lot but worried in case i have missed anything important? Any last minute advice to all those that made it? I don't want to miss this amazing opportunity
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Old 18th Jul 2018, 12:48
  #10609 (permalink)  
 
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October course

Just found out (finally)I'm on the October course at CTC. So happy. Happy to swap details / join a facebook group if there is one.

caged_phoenix -advice is to get there in.good time, just try to relax a little. Be prepared for a wait between different parts of the day and just take your time answering the questions in the interview. It's fine to have a little moment to think rather than panicking and just rushing into an answer. Good luck!
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Old 19th Jul 2018, 08:00
  #10610 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by DistinctlyPlain
I'm looking to start the course in Jerez in October. You'll be out in Jerez for 5 months before returning to the CTC in Swanick but that's about all I've been told so far.
Hi, I am also going to be on the October course in Jerez, can't wait!! Just wondering though, I thought it was just the basic course in Jerez (first couple of months) and then we return to CTC for the specialisation?
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Old 19th Jul 2018, 21:34
  #10611 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by Carlysheff
Hi, I am also going to be on the October course in Jerez, can't wait!! Just wondering though, I thought it was just the basic course in Jerez (first couple of months) and then we return to CTC for the specialisation?
Yep, but I have been told that the basic course is 5 months? I was given the provisional dates of 22nd October to 29th March
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Old 20th Jul 2018, 11:12
  #10612 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by Gemstorm


Hi! Yes I’ll be on that course. Happy to share details and start a group.
Send me a PM and we can get this started!
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Old 23rd Jul 2018, 15:06
  #10613 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by Prototoes
Send me a PM and we can get this started!
I can't seem to send you a PM, but I've activated member to member email on my settings so I think you should be able to message me.
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Old 24th Jul 2018, 09:49
  #10614 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by DistinctlyPlain
Yep, but I have been told that the basic course is 5 months? I was given the provisional dates of 22nd October to 29th March
5 months?!!!!! Jesus. Our basic course was 9 weeks!
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Old 24th Jul 2018, 14:13
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Originally Posted by Flying184
5 months?!!!!! Jesus. Our basic course was 9 weeks!
Huh. What came after your basic course and how long did that part last?
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Old 24th Jul 2018, 16:04
  #10616 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by DistinctlyPlain
Huh. What came after your basic course and how long did that part last?
Basic Course 9 weeks
Aerodrome Course 10 weeks
Approach Radar Course 12 weeks
Posted to airport with 2.5/3 weeks to move which was worrying at first but ended absolutely fine!

This was in the UK however. I suspect the Spanish want their siesta's? Even so... 5 months (20 weeks?!) seems a lot. Would be interesting to know why it is so long or what extra is included.
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Old 24th Jul 2018, 16:41
  #10617 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by Flying184
Basic Course 9 weeks
Aerodrome Course 10 weeks
Approach Radar Course 12 weeks
Posted to airport with 2.5/3 weeks to move which was worrying at first but ended absolutely fine!

This was in the UK however. I suspect the Spanish want their siesta's? Even so... 5 months (20 weeks?!) seems a lot. Would be interesting to know why it is so long or what extra is included.
Ah okay. Well then my best guess would be that we will also be doing one of the Aerodrome/Approach/Radar courses out there as well. I was probably mistaken by calling it all basic training. The wifey on the phone didn't give me all that much information other than the dates!
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Old 25th Jul 2018, 12:45
  #10618 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by DistinctlyPlain
Ah okay. Well then my best guess would be that we will also be doing one of the Aerodrome/Approach/Radar courses out there as well. I was probably mistaken by calling it all basic training. The wifey on the phone didn't give me all that much information other than the dates!
hey guys,

your basic will be 6 weeks out here. Well, exams in the 6th week. Then you have a couple of weeks of sims, a break, then you go in to the specialisation. You finish in Spain with a Spanish student licence (but you don’t need to speak Spanish...!) then when you go back to the UK you have a conversion course at CTC before going to unit.

5 months of basic would be soul destroying!

Look forward to to meeting you guys in October.
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Old 25th Jul 2018, 13:29
  #10619 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by hunteruk
Hi Guys,

I have been viewing this forum as a guest for the best part of 4 years now, coming back and too and reading about your experiences with the NATS interview process and I figured it's about time I signed up. I am 23 and I'm planning to submit my application and hopefully begin the interview process. It's something I've planned to do for a while but I wanted to build up some life experience.

I work in the Web Design industry as a web developer, and my first question is, does anybody have any tips or suggestions of how I should structure my CV. I can list skills and qualities that I have developed that relate to ATC easily enough, but I can't list any aviation work experience or anything like that because I have never worked in an airport. Would that be a problem?

Second, I have been practising the the games on the NATS careers website and I think I perform pretty well in most, my biggest weakness certainly being the playing cards memory game! I intend to keep practising but could anybody advise if the games on the NATS website accurately portray the level of assessment or are they like easier examples of what to expect on the big day?

My final question is, I read on this thread from a couple of years ago that their may be some Speed, Distance Time questions, such as:

If an aircraft runs out of fuel 60nm from an airport, and is descending at 2000fpm flying at a speed of 240kts, will it be able to land at the airfield?

Can anybody advise if those types of questions are involved in any of the assessment days in 2018, since I haven't seen anybody mention this in a good couple of years. I have a bit more practise to do on my S/D/T calculation skills before I think I'd be comfortable to submit my application.

P.S, one more question. The internet is filled with conflicting answers regarding re-applying to NATS in the future. Does anybody have current information on this, can you reapply if you're unsuccessful or is it a one-time chance as it stands?

Thank you for reading my questions and thanks in advance to anybody who can help
1) NATS don’t require any aviation experience at all. There’s people that have no interest in planes working as ATCOs - it’s not an issue to them if you have the right qualities.

2) I did absolutely horrendous at all the NATS games. I figured getting wound up about a game that meant nothing wouldn’t help me, so I went in without playing more than 5 minutes of the games combined. So personally I wouldn’t get too fussed about them!

3) I had one or two s=d/t questions in my initial tests at Whiteley so it’s a good plan to be comfortable with them.
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Old 25th Jul 2018, 14:27
  #10620 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by hunteruk
Hi Guys,

I have been viewing this forum as a guest for the best part of 4 years now, coming back and too and reading about your experiences with the NATS interview process and I figured it's about time I signed up. I am 23 and I'm planning to submit my application and hopefully begin the interview process. It's something I've planned to do for a while but I wanted to build up some life experience.

I work in the Web Design industry as a web developer, and my first question is, does anybody have any tips or suggestions of how I should structure my CV. I can list skills and qualities that I have developed that relate to ATC easily enough, but I can't list any aviation work experience or anything like that because I have never worked in an airport. Would that be a problem?

Second, I have been practising the the games on the NATS careers website and I think I perform pretty well in most, my biggest weakness certainly being the playing cards memory game! I intend to keep practising but could anybody advise if the games on the NATS website accurately portray the level of assessment or are they like easier examples of what to expect on the big day?

My final question is, I read on this thread from a couple of years ago that their may be some Speed, Distance Time questions, such as:

If an aircraft runs out of fuel 60nm from an airport, and is descending at 2000fpm flying at a speed of 240kts, will it be able to land at the airfield?

Can anybody advise if those types of questions are involved in any of the assessment days in 2018, since I haven't seen anybody mention this in a good couple of years. I have a bit more practise to do on my S/D/T calculation skills before I think I'd be comfortable to submit my application.

P.S, one more question. The internet is filled with conflicting answers regarding re-applying to NATS in the future. Does anybody have current information on this, can you reapply if you're unsuccessful or is it a one-time chance as it stands?

Thank you for reading my questions and thanks in advance to anybody who can help
Re-applying has recently changed - it used to be one shot only, but now (I imagine because of limited numbers of successful applicants they are getting through coupled with the national shortage) they have allowed annual re-applications.

S/D/T calculations, I would indeed get to grips with this - it might be a better idea to just understand the physics/mechanics rather than rote remembering how to do the calculation.

The games on the website are designed to test different aspects that they test during the application process, so in that respect they are 'accurate'. The tests are different and there isn't a whole lot you can do to improve other than trying to improve short-term memory and techniques to help remember sequences - after all, it is an aptitude test.

Best of luck!
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