NATS Aircraft Position Operator

[Jay_solo]

Hi,

Can anyone give an insight into what a NATS Aircraft Position Operator job is all about? Where are they based?

[Barnaby the Bear]

Otherwise known as Blip drivers. Based at Swanwick, College of ATC, Manchester and I would imagine Scottish.
Basically using computers and R/T you play the part of the pilots and respond to ATCO's commands on the simulators.
So you input the command on the computer in order to move the blip on the Atco's screen and respond to commands using standard R/T procedures in real time simulation exercises.

[Radarspod]

Is that function carried out by ATSAs or a more general support function - obviously you need training, but just wondered what grade is used?

[phantomlurker]

blip-drivers.....

Barnaby Bear - Good summing up, some other roles involved to do with set-up of the simulators etc (depends on unit).

radarspod - It is an ATSA role, with a good mix of grades (1, 2, 3 and some 4's as well). The training is carried out "in house" and there is a validation run involved (at least there is in my unit!)

phantomlurker

[PeltonLevel]

And don't forget that some of the restaurant dwellers at CTC are doing the job for the TC simulator!