NATS interview process
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Home
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Swanwick vs. Prestwick
Does anyone know the relative likelihood of being posted to Swanwick as opposed to Prestwick if you do area at college? Is it 50/50 or is Swanwick a bigger unit?
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Cheshire, UK
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Does anyone know the relative likelihood of being posted to Swanwick as opposed to Prestwick if you do area at college? Is it 50/50 or is Swanwick a bigger unit?
Prestwick will have Manchester centre moving in soon, so increasing size, and then there's an Oceanic/North Atlantic operation from Prestwick too.
Overall I believe Swanwick handles larger airspace than Prestwick, so more manpower/ATCOs working and required there.
But I stand corrected of course by others!
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: On the ground, looking skyward
Age: 39
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No whitelighter, they just found it too easy to pick faults in someone elses VERY good post.
In these type of questions you do have to do a little bit of assumption as they dont use the same phrasing, so you can cross reference IE a thesaurus.
Anyway I thought it was a good post especially for people who are wooried about the english side of the test.
Peace Out!
In these type of questions you do have to do a little bit of assumption as they dont use the same phrasing, so you can cross reference IE a thesaurus.
Anyway I thought it was a good post especially for people who are wooried about the english side of the test.
Peace Out!
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Kent
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As far as the English goes, I'd like to add that the recordings are made in standard "school/Queen" English. No dialects, strange accents, weird slang words or any such thing. Just nice English.
The only point really is if you understand the meaning of the story, i.e. if you are able to draw logical conclusions from in or reproduce information provided.
As far as I remember, there were two parts to this. In the first part the stories were very general in their theme (people driving cars, going shopping etc.) and the questions were more of a logical nature (if you understand negatives correctly, if you can evaluate conditions...)
The second part consisted of longer stories, aviation related (e.g. meteo phenomena) and the task was aimed on if you remember enough.
At least that is how I remember it. Overall, my impression was that if you speak decent English, there is no reason for not having 100% here.
The only point really is if you understand the meaning of the story, i.e. if you are able to draw logical conclusions from in or reproduce information provided.
As far as I remember, there were two parts to this. In the first part the stories were very general in their theme (people driving cars, going shopping etc.) and the questions were more of a logical nature (if you understand negatives correctly, if you can evaluate conditions...)
The second part consisted of longer stories, aviation related (e.g. meteo phenomena) and the task was aimed on if you remember enough.
At least that is how I remember it. Overall, my impression was that if you speak decent English, there is no reason for not having 100% here.
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Yeovil Somerset
Age: 47
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi!
Whitelighter & Flaps15, thank you very much for the info, you've been very helpful, I'll try & keep everything in mind. Good luck to everyone at stage 1,2 on the 25th 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: 285ft agl
Age: 35
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
About to re-take!
Hey guys, been reading through all the pages for information.
Last year I applied and past the 1st, 2nd stage and then tooked the 3rd stage and didn't make it through. I was disappointed but after doing my research I realised that you can take light from it and realise many ATC's fail the first time around so I can re-apply in 12 months with experience. I did phone and e-mail NATS for feedback on my Stage 3 assessment and I heard nothing back which was disappointing. I kinda knew where I went wrong anyway's but you'd expect NATS to give out feedback.
I am going to re-apply very soon but I was wondering if I could get a bit of help from anyone which would be much appreciated.
1.) Where's the best place to arrange a tower visit and has anyone done it recently where they can give me any contact numbers etc. (this is one thing I didn't do on my first time around)
2.) Can anyone give any information about what's life is like as a student at the college and their job as a ATC where its area or aerdrome, pros and cons (had information before but new opinions and experiences are very useful)
Thank you very much,
Scott
Last year I applied and past the 1st, 2nd stage and then tooked the 3rd stage and didn't make it through. I was disappointed but after doing my research I realised that you can take light from it and realise many ATC's fail the first time around so I can re-apply in 12 months with experience. I did phone and e-mail NATS for feedback on my Stage 3 assessment and I heard nothing back which was disappointing. I kinda knew where I went wrong anyway's but you'd expect NATS to give out feedback.
I am going to re-apply very soon but I was wondering if I could get a bit of help from anyone which would be much appreciated.
1.) Where's the best place to arrange a tower visit and has anyone done it recently where they can give me any contact numbers etc. (this is one thing I didn't do on my first time around)
2.) Can anyone give any information about what's life is like as a student at the college and their job as a ATC where its area or aerdrome, pros and cons (had information before but new opinions and experiences are very useful)
Thank you very much,
Scott
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Home
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey Scott,
Actually it's NATS standard policy not to give feedback, though a few people here have managed to get some by badgering them a bit, but its probably too late for you now. I guess it's not too big an issue if you have a fairly decent idea where you went wrong though.
Apparently the format of stages 2 and 3 has changed over the past 12 months, but I've no experience of what it was like previously so can't tell you how it now differs. There are some fairly good descriptions of each stage if you read back through the thread though.
I recently did a tower visit at Southampton, if you'd like then PM me and I can send you the contact details I have. At the minute NATS seem not to be encouraging tower visits until after stage 2, at which point most people seem to organise them by getting the contact details for the towers they want to visit via HR. I believe stage 3 involves a tour of Swanwick (can someone who has done it please correct me if I'm wrong) so you get to have a look at an area centre at that stage.
Actually it's NATS standard policy not to give feedback, though a few people here have managed to get some by badgering them a bit, but its probably too late for you now. I guess it's not too big an issue if you have a fairly decent idea where you went wrong though.
Apparently the format of stages 2 and 3 has changed over the past 12 months, but I've no experience of what it was like previously so can't tell you how it now differs. There are some fairly good descriptions of each stage if you read back through the thread though.
I recently did a tower visit at Southampton, if you'd like then PM me and I can send you the contact details I have. At the minute NATS seem not to be encouraging tower visits until after stage 2, at which point most people seem to organise them by getting the contact details for the towers they want to visit via HR. I believe stage 3 involves a tour of Swanwick (can someone who has done it please correct me if I'm wrong) so you get to have a look at an area centre at that stage.
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey guys,
I have my stage 1 tomorrow afternoon at Prestwick. Don't quite know whether I'm worried or confident right now.
Any last minute pointers before I head in there? Also, do people usually suit it up, or is it not that formal a day?
I have my stage 1 tomorrow afternoon at Prestwick. Don't quite know whether I'm worried or confident right now.
Any last minute pointers before I head in there? Also, do people usually suit it up, or is it not that formal a day?
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: FL550
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why would you not wear a suit? Show the respect to yourself at least wear a shirt and tie, you'll not be on your own but some choose not to. Id rather be overdressed than underdressed
Learn your fractions of time, practice speed distance and time questions and read your document thoroughly taking out any details and making notes.
plane at 400mph, how far will he be in 30 mins.
Speed = Distance / Time
therefor
400 = D / (1/2), D = 400 x 1/2 = 200miles
Substitute fractions of time where you can, it will keep your speed up. You dont have much time.
Learn your fractions of time, practice speed distance and time questions and read your document thoroughly taking out any details and making notes.
plane at 400mph, how far will he be in 30 mins.
Speed = Distance / Time
therefor
400 = D / (1/2), D = 400 x 1/2 = 200miles
Substitute fractions of time where you can, it will keep your speed up. You dont have much time.
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Scotland
Age: 40
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dress code: Personally I'd follow whatever NATS have said. Stage 1 used to be smart/casual (I'm assuming it still is), so I'd like to be seen to be able to follow instructions rather than showing up in a suit for the hell of it. Suits will be required later on when dress code is upgraded to smart for later stages.
Speed, distance, time. Rather than trying to do fractions in your head, you'll find it a lot easier to think in miles per minute rather than miles per hour. You'll also discover that the numbers in the questions are chosen so you can do it this way.
e.g. Aircraft flying at 420 knots. How far in 4 minutes?
420 knots = 7 nautical miles per minute. Distance travelled = 4 x 7 = 28 nautical miles. For me, that's easier than 420 x (1/15)...
Speed, distance, time. Rather than trying to do fractions in your head, you'll find it a lot easier to think in miles per minute rather than miles per hour. You'll also discover that the numbers in the questions are chosen so you can do it this way.
e.g. Aircraft flying at 420 knots. How far in 4 minutes?
420 knots = 7 nautical miles per minute. Distance travelled = 4 x 7 = 28 nautical miles. For me, that's easier than 420 x (1/15)...
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: 285ft agl
Age: 35
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good luck!
For tomorrow.
Definitely wear a suit, when I had my Stage 1 I couldn't believe people turned up in jeans and trainers.
Always be confident and don't worry about anyone else there, your not competeing with anyone. Go there, concentrate and try your best, that's all you can do
Good luck again!
Definitely wear a suit, when I had my Stage 1 I couldn't believe people turned up in jeans and trainers.
Always be confident and don't worry about anyone else there, your not competeing with anyone. Go there, concentrate and try your best, that's all you can do
Good luck again!
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: UK
Age: 47
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is one thing better than being underdressed AND better than being overdressded... to dress appropriately, according to what you have been told and the stage you are at (in stage 1 you are just a number).
Based on that, my advice is forget the suit for stage 1!
I wore trousers (not jeans) and a shirt for my stage 1 and that was more than enough. In fact, I wore a suit wihout tie in my stage 2. Only for stage 3 did I wear a tie.
Based on that, my advice is forget the suit for stage 1!
I wore trousers (not jeans) and a shirt for my stage 1 and that was more than enough. In fact, I wore a suit wihout tie in my stage 2. Only for stage 3 did I wear a tie.
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Scrotchidson
1.) Where's the best place to arrange a tower visit and has anyone done it recently where they can give me any contact numbers etc. (this is one thing I didn't do on my first time around)
You will probably struggle to arrange any kind of visit until you have passed S2 as other wise NATS just get far too many requests and don't have the time to organise tours etc. That said it is always worth a try...
I visited Swanwick after completing S2 and found it extremely worth while. Not only does it look good in S3 by demonstrating willingness it also helped me with a couple of the interview questions, i.e. 'Describe to me what you think the day in the life of an ATCO involves?'. I knew that precisely as I had taken a tour! It also gives you a great opportunity to have a good look round somewhere where you may end up spending 30 odd years of your life!!! They don't always allow but when I toured Swanwick we were lucky enough to plug into the London TC to watch and listen for half hour, plus chat to the ATCO who was operating. There is no better way to learn about the job...
After passing S3 I also took a tour up the Heathrow tower. This was absolutely amazing and I highly recommend it. Think I was plugged in for about 2 hours up there!
If you would like the details of who to contact to arrange a tour PM me, but as I said I doubt you will get any luck until after S2.
2.) Can anyone give any information about what's life is like as a student at the college and their job as a ATC where its area or aerodrome, pros and cons (had information before but new opinions and experiences are very useful)
Good luck to all applicants
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: London
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Anyone?
Hi Guys,
I have been looking at some SDT questions posted on the forum and came across this (below):
Aircraft descending at 1000ft/minute, cruising at 35000ft, no fuel at 400mph, which airport can they make?
At this speed, it will be hitting the ground in 35 minutes and has about 233.33nm to go. I have no idea whatsoever which airport it will make it!
I have been looking at some SDT questions posted on the forum and came across this (below):
Aircraft descending at 1000ft/minute, cruising at 35000ft, no fuel at 400mph, which airport can they make?
At this speed, it will be hitting the ground in 35 minutes and has about 233.33nm to go. I have no idea whatsoever which airport it will make it!
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Scotland
Age: 40
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SKOS,
The question will include either a choice of airports (with distances from aircraft starting position), or simply state that the nearest airfield is XXX nm away. That part must have been missed out on the question you found here.
The question will include either a choice of airports (with distances from aircraft starting position), or simply state that the nearest airfield is XXX nm away. That part must have been missed out on the question you found here.
