Military ATCO job questions, Ireland

[hit_the_deck]

Hi all,
Just wondering how one would get into the Irish Air Corps as an ATCO? I emailed them last week but no reply as of yet, I figured here may be a better place to ask as it gives the pro's and con's of the job. Just wondering How you would get in, what the requirements are etc. Their website doesn't give much away regarding the ATCO jobs. Is it a promotion from being a pilot or other rank in the defence forces, or is it open competition like the air corps cadets? Mods feel free to move if necessary but I think here's a good start.

Thanks in advance guys,

dk

[IKEANO]

Just wondering how one would get into the Irish Air Corps as an ATCO?

Most of the mil ATCOs that I've met spend their time wondering how to get out. Probably best to go straight into Civil ATC . That's where you'll end up anyway. Good Luck.

[left bass]

Hit the deck has it sussed

Is it a promotion from being a pilot...?

It's not, but I like the way you think!

You should go far in ATC...

[The Beerhunter]

a mate of mine was in the irish defence forces as a normal grunt, then got into the atc programme when they advertised internally. off to the curragh with you!

[rocky01]

If you really....really....want info on this, then pick up the phone to Baldonnel, 01 403 7514, the folks there will be most helpfull.

Bare in mind though, that almost all the qualified ATCOs there applied to get OUT, when rumours of jobs at Dublin surfaced. Unfortunately, they were just rumours, at least for military ATCOs...(and ex military.. )

Best of luck, you'll need it.

[hit_the_deck]

Thanks a lot for all those who helped out here. I will certainly be giving our friends in Baldonnel a call. I am really just trying to suss out all ways of being an Air Traffic Controller as it is definitely what I want to do when I leave school. I'm going on a week of work experience in Shannon at Easter, thats what I'm aiming for but with such a low percentage of jobs for such a high amount of applicants I am trying to have a plan b, and c! There's always other careers in the aviation industry I''m interested in but its ATC that I really want to do.

Thanks again guys,

dk.

[ATCbimbo]

Hey my father was atc in military and so is a mate...they were both privates in the army when the atco position was advertised internaly. As far as im aware they dont recruit external applicants! nearly every atco in the aircorps is trying to get out r hanging on to get their pension before getting the hell outa there!!

in ireland u cannot hold an atc licence until u turn 21..if u r lucky 2pass aptitute tests,interviews,medicals and then all your ratings aswell as your OJT u will get a student atc licence but will be constantly monitered by your OJTI and only if your close to turning 21.

your wk of wrk experience shud b fun..njoy!!

[NABLAG]

Hit the deck, as I see it you have three methods of getting into ATC in Ireland.


Join the army and hope at some stage in the future they seek ATCs and you are lucky.
Keep an eye on your local airport (Galway). Get in the door and built up some aviation experience, even a summer job. You might get lucky, every few years the smaller airports train up their own ATCs. Galway did this last year.

When you reach the right age, go for the IAA student ATCO programme. Your time in the local airport will go some way towards proving that you are very keen on an aviation career.

Its a tough time in the aviation business at the moment but 2 years from now we may be out the other side and business could be on the up.

The IAA provides the best number of opportunities.

Enjoy your work experience !!

[hit_the_deck]

Cheers lads, I was really just looking in to the various ways of getting in, and from what I've heard, military is going to be option 3!

I have applied to the airport for a summer job but I was 15 at the time and nobody really employs at that age, I only turned 16 lately so who knows, next summer hopefully. Apparently Galway expect to be recruiting in the next 5-6 years again so that would suit grand. Galway would be the dream place to go for me even though the IAA offer better conditions and pay, I guess it'sbecause I can literally walk to the airport and everything going in on 26 or out on 08 passes right over my house low enough to see the pilots!

Thanks again lads, you've been a great help, all of you.

DK

[bob1013]

Why do they all want to leave? Pension/security? Etc

[rocky01]

Leave?...left you mean...

Bob1013,

You joined this thread a few years too late...anyway...

As the thread was started by someone looking to get IN to Mil ATC, the thread turned completely around to this...basically in the military, you can apply to join (you cannot join from outside the military structures) an Ab Initio ATC Course whenever they are advertised in-house.

• If you are a "ranker" then, if successfully selected, expect a very long (years...) training process, with painfully slow promotion due to the system requiring you to complete Mil Career courses alongside your ATC training. The ATC ratings are tied in with rank, so, if you are a Private, you will need to do a Potential NCOs Course, to get Corporal rank, if there's a suitable vacancy existing within the Aer Corps at that time, for you to be allowed perform ATC Duties in the tower. But there is no joined up system for both ATC and Mil Career courses to run concurrently, hence the long waiting times for promotion. Once the Basic Tower rating is awarded, expect an even longer wait to get APS training and rating awarded, due to the aforementioned problems...
• If you already hold a commission, then you are guaranteed promotion with age (or your cadet class all get promoted at the same time, wherever they are, or whatever they are doing).....go figure! You still need to be successful in your ATC courses to do that job, but you will get promoted anyway! If unsuccessful in ATC you get shunted to an office job somewhere, but basically you are looked after.

The personnel who left between 2006 - 2008, eight in total, were all NCOs, some highly qualified and experienced (senior instructors and examiners). They would have had various reasons for doing so. Most went to Shannon, converting their military APS Ratings, and getting on to a very comfortable pay scale. Some had military pensions as well, so they would be particularly comfortable. So I guess you could deduct that money was the main attraction, as well as better career prospects.


But, as an aside, you should be aware that in military circles, the grass always seems greener outside...so much of the time people are waiting to go, to civilian versions of their jobs, or just to see what it's like outside the military system. They take their chances, but not all are as lucky as ATC or Aer Corps pilots have been...


Rocky01

[bob1013]

Oh ok, I didn't realise things would be like that. I'm thinking of moving back to Ireland but I can't seem to get an answer from the Iaa about a de position in dublin/Shannon