Airservices Australia Psychometric Testing
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Victoria
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Hi Alex, I've also been invited to attend the assessment day in Melb on the 23rd... although being in Melb will make my trip a bit easier 
Hopefully it won't be that bad and we'll get an offer in no time!
See you there
Hopefully it won't be that bad and we'll get an offer in no time!
See you there
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Age: 55
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23rd of January Assessment day in Melbourne
Hi Alex, if you are coming down for an assessment day, you might be best coming down the day before. The assessment days are full on, you will leave exhausted. You certainly do not want to arrive tired, having had a stressful day getting out of Sydney.
The assessment days are good, my best advise is to be rested and on the day be prepared to think quickly and be definite in your responses. Most of all, have fun, take it seriously and enjoy.
The assessment days are good, my best advise is to be rested and on the day be prepared to think quickly and be definite in your responses. Most of all, have fun, take it seriously and enjoy.
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Brisbane
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Hang on, I take that back Tower 63 starts in May, enroute might be different. I assume the posting at the end will be Melbourne.
Now you have all the fun of the medicals
Now you have all the fun of the medicals
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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Yes definitely Enroute 64. already started the process for getting the ARN & medicals. As soon as I'd spoken to A.S. I figure with everything shutting down over the Christmas period, I'd better make a start as soon as possible.
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Orlando, FL
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Help!
Just wondering from anyone who has done testing what it's like. I have lived in America for a decade now so I'm not as familiar with things that may seem standard to everyone else. Is this going to be a disadvantage for me? I took some ATC classes in uni so I have some prep.
Really just need any advice or guidance I can get.
Thanks.
Really just need any advice or guidance I can get.
Thanks.
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Age: 55
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No, you should be right with the tests. Basically you need accuracy and speed for the tests and the ability to be confident with what you say.
One thing you should consider, if you feel that the testing day was relatively successful then apply for an ARN. If will just make the process quicker if you get the ok.
Civil Aviation Safety Authority - Aviation Reference Number (ARN) FAQs
Just be prepared to be patient.
Sorry Kim, this applies to Australia, not sure of the process in the US.
One thing you should consider, if you feel that the testing day was relatively successful then apply for an ARN. If will just make the process quicker if you get the ok.
Civil Aviation Safety Authority - Aviation Reference Number (ARN) FAQs
Just be prepared to be patient.
Sorry Kim, this applies to Australia, not sure of the process in the US.
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Brisbane
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As long as you have the right to work in Australia, the selection process won't go against you. I'll resist the urge to say, living in the states might lower your IQ and go against you... oops 
Seriously though. It's been said in this thread and the NATS and Eurocontrol threads, either you've got it or you haven't. ECC and I are both in our mid 40s and start training next year, ask23 is in his 50s and also starts training next year. In the US, and some other countries, we wouldn't get a look in. If you've got what it takes here, then you've got a chance.
Go for it.
Seriously though. It's been said in this thread and the NATS and Eurocontrol threads, either you've got it or you haven't. ECC and I are both in our mid 40s and start training next year, ask23 is in his 50s and also starts training next year. In the US, and some other countries, we wouldn't get a look in. If you've got what it takes here, then you've got a chance.
Go for it.
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Orlando, FL
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Thanks for the advice ECC and Steve. I will choose to ignore the remarks about America only because I was born and Aussie and should be exempt from American ignorance.
The link helps for CASA so I will see what I can do. It's hard searching for these things from America.
I'm just doing what I can and understand that's how the process works. American ATC a bit rough at the moment because it's only open to very select people.
Will be heading out in April so wish me luck!
The link helps for CASA so I will see what I can do. It's hard searching for these things from America.
I'm just doing what I can and understand that's how the process works. American ATC a bit rough at the moment because it's only open to very select people.
Will be heading out in April so wish me luck!
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Orlando, FL
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Thanks for the advice. Will look into the CASA link. It's been hard because I can't find too much info here for aviation related things in Australia.
I'm ready to do what I can when I head over in April.
I'm ready to do what I can when I head over in April.
Join Date: Jun 2002
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If you guys are really in your mid-40s and 50s the chances of you passing the course are close to nil. I'd think long and hard before giving up your jobs. I'm not aware of anyone that age ever passing before. I know of several ex-RAAF controllers in their 40s who came back to the job but weren't able to pick it up again. Aptitude is only one of many attributes that you need to consider. You will not be able to learn and pick up skill in Airservices time frame. It is a skill for young people to acquire, and most of them find it difficult.
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Brisbane
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Knackers, I've just finished a science degree, so I'm used to studying. My current job is filling shelves in a supermarket, so it's not like I'm throwing away a well paid job for a career change. You may well be right, but there's three of us that are going to try damn hard to prove you wrong.
Wow mid 40s and 50s? Good luck to you guys! On my ab intio course there were two gents in their 40s, one of whom was already a flight information officer and neither of them made it in the end. Just a heads up, doing a university degree is nothing like what you may expect with ATC training. I'm not saying you have to be smarter, but it is the pace and volume you must learn at which may catch you out. There is very little time for consolidation (this comes once you're validated!), and they require very high grades in assessments. Like you say in most countries you wouldn't even get a shot, I'm sure you'll make the most of it. There are a lot of cranky people on sites like this and in the field, but don't let them put you off, it's a great career and they've just been doing it too long 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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Thanks for that Knackers, I generally find the young, ignorant, self defeatist, self absorbed and lazy, but I imagine you wouldn't be one of these.
Everyone is due their opportunity, we must have had some value of else we wouldn't have gotten to this stage. You remind me of the story about the young bull and the old bull sighting a whole lot of cows in the lower paddock.
Everyone is due their opportunity, we must have had some value of else we wouldn't have gotten to this stage. You remind me of the story about the young bull and the old bull sighting a whole lot of cows in the lower paddock.
Join Date: Jul 2008
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I think the fact that Airservices are taking people well out of the 'ideal' age bracket says more about the company's present staffing position than anything else.
Aside from the fact they are less likely to get through training (and they are less likely), how much dollar value do you realistically get from someone with an initial rating mid 40's then already at 50 by the time they reach a reasonable level of ratings and experience.
They're arent exactly grabbing people from the young, uni-qualified, career minded pool they say they are looking for. Beggars cant be choosers I guess....
Aside from the fact they are less likely to get through training (and they are less likely), how much dollar value do you realistically get from someone with an initial rating mid 40's then already at 50 by the time they reach a reasonable level of ratings and experience.
They're arent exactly grabbing people from the young, uni-qualified, career minded pool they say they are looking for. Beggars cant be choosers I guess....
Join Date: Sep 2011
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"how much dollar value do you realistically get from someone with an initial rating mid 40's then already at 50 by the time they reach a reasonable level of ratings and experience"
That thought occurred to me too when I was applying. One of the guys at Brisbane Centre retired recently after about 40 years service. They won't get half of that out of me.
That thought occurred to me too when I was applying. One of the guys at Brisbane Centre retired recently after about 40 years service. They won't get half of that out of me.
ECC, while I wouldn't put it quite as bluntly as Knackers, the truth is that the older you are the harder it is to pass the course & gain a rating. Doesn't mean you can't or won't, just that you're really pushing it up hill.
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Well I want to hear from those that did leave a well paying job (young or old) and chose to change their career ...
How did they cope with the training period and it's reduced income, and how long did it take them to return to a "livable" income? Are you better off for the switch?
Any career jumpers out there?
VB
How did they cope with the training period and it's reduced income, and how long did it take them to return to a "livable" income? Are you better off for the switch?
Any career jumpers out there?
VB