Path-route to becoming an ATCA/ATSA?
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 69
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From: London
Path-route to becoming an ATCA/ATSA?
Hi guys,
I'm still trying to evaluate my next move.. so any advice will be much appreciated.
How does one become an Air Traffic Control Assistant (ATCA/ATSA)? Does it require any sort of qualification before hand? Or who should I contact to become one? Also what is the pay like?
I've tried googling atca/atsa but coming up with little to no up to date information. Nats does have a sentance written about assistant controller but no information on how to become one.
I'm still trying to evaluate my next move.. so any advice will be much appreciated.
How does one become an Air Traffic Control Assistant (ATCA/ATSA)? Does it require any sort of qualification before hand? Or who should I contact to become one? Also what is the pay like?
I've tried googling atca/atsa but coming up with little to no up to date information. Nats does have a sentance written about assistant controller but no information on how to become one.
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Down South
ATCA/ATSA jobs
On the civillian side, the best way is normally to write direct to the Manager of Air Traffic Services/Senior Air Traffic Control Officer of the airport(s) you are interested in working at.
Alternatively the RAF recruit and train ATCA's.
Whilst NATS aren't hiring some of the smaller independent regionsal may be hiring, so a speculative letter and or CV could be useful.
There are no qualifications as such but you do need a fairly good educational background, with spoken and written English a priority. You need to be able to add up the time (easier said than done) quite well, and have a good telephone manner and react calmly under pressure. An ability to multi-task is usually useful.
Many ATCA/ATSA's I've know have had an RAF or Air Cadets Background, and although being 'an enthusiast' isn't a prerequisite an 'interest' in aviation certainly comes in handy.
Good Luck.
Alternatively the RAF recruit and train ATCA's.
Whilst NATS aren't hiring some of the smaller independent regionsal may be hiring, so a speculative letter and or CV could be useful.
There are no qualifications as such but you do need a fairly good educational background, with spoken and written English a priority. You need to be able to add up the time (easier said than done) quite well, and have a good telephone manner and react calmly under pressure. An ability to multi-task is usually useful.
Many ATCA/ATSA's I've know have had an RAF or Air Cadets Background, and although being 'an enthusiast' isn't a prerequisite an 'interest' in aviation certainly comes in handy.
Good Luck.
Last edited by britkit; 10th February 2009 at 21:17. Reason: typo
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 589
Likes: 0
From: UK
We've generally poached Ops assistants or trainee PPL's from the flying schools rather than advertising. A keen interest in aviation would be the most essential attribute, as far as I'm concerned. In some respects, that's more important than academic qualifications although a decent standard in maths and english will be necessary. The pay is generally fairly crap, but we've put a lot of our ATSA's through controller training after they've gained experience.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 69
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From: London
I think I have figured out my next move. (I would appreciate any advice/feedback)
I'm planning on doing an assistant air traffic controllers course with ASTAC, initally contacting airports in regards vacancies so I should hopefully have something lined up once I complete the course.
During the course of employment, hopefully I will be able to prove myself and get sponspored for ATCO. If not atleast worst scenario atleast I would have gained some valuable working experience in the field before the next nats session.
What do you guys think of this plan?
Also can someone advice me roughly how much an assistant controller makes? I understand it wornt be that much, but a rough figure would really help me get my finanical situation in order before I leave my current employment and start on this new career path.
I'm planning on doing an assistant air traffic controllers course with ASTAC, initally contacting airports in regards vacancies so I should hopefully have something lined up once I complete the course.
During the course of employment, hopefully I will be able to prove myself and get sponspored for ATCO. If not atleast worst scenario atleast I would have gained some valuable working experience in the field before the next nats session.
What do you guys think of this plan?
Also can someone advice me roughly how much an assistant controller makes? I understand it wornt be that much, but a rough figure would really help me get my finanical situation in order before I leave my current employment and start on this new career path.
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: swanlake
Ghostuk ....firstly paying for a course with ASTAC may not be worthwhile, as most ATC providers train in-house. I would send a cv or phone every SATCO in the uk you can, even nats units as you may find a vacancy they might be interested in giving an interview for. There is a lot of employing directly from the airfield they serve but you never know. Its a good path to go through if the unit sponsors you through as an atco if you decide to go down that path. As for NATS, biggest problem is they are currently trying to shed staff on voluntary redundancy so unlikely to be a post. Pay for an atsa in nats is 24k+ reaching the dizzy scales of 46k(grade dependant) Other units generally cannot match this and pay is less. Good luck
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Down South
ATCA/ATSA jobs - The Pay
I'd go with the above comment but outside of NATS the pay is pants, you are looking at anything between £16k and £21k dependent on experience. There are a few airports that will pay more, but it's like the ATCO's, a sliding scale dependent on your experience.
If you are fresh out of school then I'd go with the CV route and don't pay for an ATSA course as it could be a waste of hard earned.
Also consider Aerodrome FISO training, if you don't know what I mean PM me and I'll try and explain as best as I can, or get someone more 'qualified' to do so for you.
If you are fresh out of school then I'd go with the CV route and don't pay for an ATSA course as it could be a waste of hard earned.
Also consider Aerodrome FISO training, if you don't know what I mean PM me and I'll try and explain as best as I can, or get someone more 'qualified' to do so for you.
