Air Traffic Controller Assistant
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Southampton
Air Traffic Controller Assistant
Hi im interested in becoming an air traffic controller assistant, at maybe southampton airport or swanick. Can anybody advise the best route in or qualifications needed.
Thanks very much
Paul Knight
Thanks very much
Paul Knight
Beady Eye
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,495
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From: UK
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8
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From: Somewhere Only We Know
How sad that someone who has a desire to join the 'professional' world of ATC is exposed so early to the childish bickering of those who could have offered more productive advice in answer to the original query.
Saints, follow BD's advice and/or contact other ATC units close to you such as Bournemouth.
Good luck
Culpa
Saints, follow BD's advice and/or contact other ATC units close to you such as Bournemouth.
Good luck
Culpa
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 796
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From: UK
saints, be aware that the ATSA grade is gradually reducing in numbers as technology advances. ATCOs will go the same way eventually as well though the timescale should be a bit longer! I don't think openings for ATSAs in NATS come round very often.
If you can why not give the ATCO selection a try, that is a much more active programme at the moment.
If you can why not give the ATCO selection a try, that is a much more active programme at the moment.
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 94
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From: South Coast
There seems to be an increasing trend towards trolling posts on this forum of late, which is sad to see.
I cant speak for the operational ATSAs, but certainly Yahoo's comment does not ring true on the training side where I work. Many ATCOs I worked with over the years have commented on the value of the ATSA role both operationally and in the training environment.
Edited for typo
I cant speak for the operational ATSAs, but certainly Yahoo's comment does not ring true on the training side where I work. Many ATCOs I worked with over the years have commented on the value of the ATSA role both operationally and in the training environment.
Edited for typo
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 24
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From: Earth
All of the ATSAs I work with on a regular basis at Swanwick all work extremely hard and work for quite a long time without breaks.
While it is true that in the long term ATSA numbers are likely to reduce at Swanwick through the introduction of iFACTS, and at some NATS airfields (through the introduction of EFPS) there seems to be plenty of work for competent and motivated staff - irrespective of their current grade - to do within NATS.
We have a huge investment programme to deliver over the next 10 - 15 years, all of which will require support and input from suitably trained people.
I wish the OP well
DotMac
While it is true that in the long term ATSA numbers are likely to reduce at Swanwick through the introduction of iFACTS, and at some NATS airfields (through the introduction of EFPS) there seems to be plenty of work for competent and motivated staff - irrespective of their current grade - to do within NATS.
We have a huge investment programme to deliver over the next 10 - 15 years, all of which will require support and input from suitably trained people.
I wish the OP well
DotMac
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 51
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From: EGLF
Saints, have you considered a non-NATS unit? Many such units still rely heavily on the Controller/Assistant working relationship, part of which make it such a interesting, varied and rewarding job.
From my experience, no previous ATC knowledge is needed, although I'm sure this will differ from unit to unit. Some aviation backround, whether it be working in the aviation industry, or having a PPL is beneficial.
My best advice is to get out there and let it be known that you want to become an ATSA. Go visit some towers, get to know people, make contacts, send your CV out...etc...if you make the effort, when an opportunity arises, you may well be in the forefront of their thoughts!
Best of Luck with it all.
Ps...its us assistants that actually do the work and keep the tower running, we all know the muddles controllers get into without us...!
From my experience, no previous ATC knowledge is needed, although I'm sure this will differ from unit to unit. Some aviation backround, whether it be working in the aviation industry, or having a PPL is beneficial.
My best advice is to get out there and let it be known that you want to become an ATSA. Go visit some towers, get to know people, make contacts, send your CV out...etc...if you make the effort, when an opportunity arises, you may well be in the forefront of their thoughts!
Best of Luck with it all.
Ps...its us assistants that actually do the work and keep the tower running, we all know the muddles controllers get into without us...!
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,432
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From: LHR/EGLL
Ps...its us assistants that actually do the work and keep the tower running, we all know the muddles controllers get into without us...!
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 70
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From: Lymington
yahoo, i think you have the word flippant confused in terms of meaning.
neither of the posts you dredged up contain flippant comments. unlike your derogatory post towards atsas. The atsas i work alongside are hardowrking professionals on the whole. maybe your wife is a slacker? is that where you are getting your highest paid job in the world fact from?
Most atsas are very good at their job
neither of the posts you dredged up contain flippant comments. unlike your derogatory post towards atsas. The atsas i work alongside are hardowrking professionals on the whole. maybe your wife is a slacker? is that where you are getting your highest paid job in the world fact from?
Most atsas are very good at their job
PPRuNe Tea Lady
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 129
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From: A pyramid far far away
Now you understand why ATSAs are needed! They bring a little maturity to the operational enviroment and calm down the handbag swinging.
Now children - a nice cup of tea? ALL ATSAs irrespective of unit must first learn the importance of a good brew. No doubt someone will let us know that this sacred process is being done by machines too - but have you tasted what comes out of those? That's what happens when the cost / benefit analysis says the machine is more efficient than the human.
I'm willing to bet that there are few holders of an ATCO licence who have not been dug out of a situation by a good ATSA.
Now children - a nice cup of tea? ALL ATSAs irrespective of unit must first learn the importance of a good brew. No doubt someone will let us know that this sacred process is being done by machines too - but have you tasted what comes out of those? That's what happens when the cost / benefit analysis says the machine is more efficient than the human.
I'm willing to bet that there are few holders of an ATCO licence who have not been dug out of a situation by a good ATSA.
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,432
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From: LHR/EGLL
Any decent ATCO knows that having a good ATSA (whatever the grade) sitting next to him/her makes things a lot easier when the chips are down.
I cannot count the number of times I've been helped enormously by such colleagues.
I cannot count the number of times I've been helped enormously by such colleagues.
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 129
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From: Bisley
It is a sad fact that the work on the sectors, when compared to West Drayton, is, for the most part, boring and uninspiring. That is the down side of life at Swanwick for us ATSAs. If you are lucky enough to work on FIS or FPRS (or even as a WAS 
) there is still loads of job satisfaction to be had. You get out of the job what you are prepared to put into it, and that is very true on those positions.
However the big improvement, as DotMac says above, is that there are now numerous ways out of the Ops room, and I am not talking about fire exits. We all know friends who have moved through to the support sections and are now rising up through the chain of command. Also, unlike the days at WD even if you are a sector assistant, the 4th floor listen to your ideas and, shock horror on occasion, even implement them. If you want to get involved there are now many ways you can do so, and that in itself increases job satisfaction enormously.
It isn't perfect, far from it, but a quantum leap from life at WD for assistants as far as opportunities are concerned.
I had the chip on my shoulder surgically removed a few years back and it is surprising how different the world looks
.
) there is still loads of job satisfaction to be had. You get out of the job what you are prepared to put into it, and that is very true on those positions.However the big improvement, as DotMac says above, is that there are now numerous ways out of the Ops room, and I am not talking about fire exits. We all know friends who have moved through to the support sections and are now rising up through the chain of command. Also, unlike the days at WD even if you are a sector assistant, the 4th floor listen to your ideas and, shock horror on occasion, even implement them. If you want to get involved there are now many ways you can do so, and that in itself increases job satisfaction enormously.
It isn't perfect, far from it, but a quantum leap from life at WD for assistants as far as opportunities are concerned.
I had the chip on my shoulder surgically removed a few years back and it is surprising how different the world looks
.
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 865
Likes: 1
From: Cheshire, California, Geneva, and Paris
Yahoo may be right. atcos get a straight rate for their overtime duty taxed at 40% which hasnt gone up for a number of years. ATSAs get an hourly rate based on the current pay scales at double or triple time including travelling time and petrol money all of which is pensionable and therefore subject to maximum tax relief and therefore speaking for myself I probably do earn more per hour than atcos at either a band 5 unit or the untermensch at Aberdeen.
Who is the bigger fool????
Who is the bigger fool????
Last edited by DC10RealMan; 12th September 2008 at 15:55.
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Near Stalyvegas
I, as a [not so] 'umble ATSA111, [was an ATSA11, until (fairly recently) at Manchester], would whole-heartedly reccomend a smaller unit than LACC/LATCC or whatever the name is today.
Unfortunately, in the "Real World", you will be posted just where you are needed...
Depending on your Grade, ...O/T is
ATSA1/11/111, Weekday working, Time and a half
Weekend working, Double time
Bank, Public Holidays, Triple time
ATSA1V...Plain time, except for Sunday and and/PH...
As an aside, I have been an ATSA/ATCA for 40 years...
Would I change it?
Then....NO
Now...I would seriously think abut becoming an ATCO, 'cos ATSA days are numbered.... at least at "larger units"
Good Luck, in which ever side that you choose....
watp,iktch
DC10, nice to see that you are as sensitive as ever
Unfortunately, in the "Real World", you will be posted just where you are needed...
Depending on your Grade, ...O/T is
ATSA1/11/111, Weekday working, Time and a half
Weekend working, Double time
Bank, Public Holidays, Triple time
ATSA1V...Plain time, except for Sunday and and/PH...
As an aside, I have been an ATSA/ATCA for 40 years...
Would I change it?
Then....NO
Now...I would seriously think abut becoming an ATCO, 'cos ATSA days are numbered.... at least at "larger units"
Good Luck, in which ever side that you choose....
watp,iktch
DC10, nice to see that you are as sensitive as ever
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 40
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From: Hants
Bollox. I believe its time and a half, or double time at weekends. If you're an ATSA4 its single time for some reason. The mileage and travel time is only a lot if, guess what - you travel quite a few miles, in which case your petrol costs have risen yet the 40p flat rate per mile hasn't.
