UK - Best way to contact an ATC tower or SATCO

[GhostUK]

Hi guys,

I now been able to put together a list of the major airports in the country as well as a list of NATS airports (so I know which not to bother contacting).

Could someone please offer me some advice on the best ways to go around contacting ATC's in regards to assistant positions?

How do you actually contact the ATC at a certain airport? Are the numbers located in some form of directory or would the airport front desk be able to put me across to them? or at the least give me a direct contact number?

And supposing I actually do find out the name and address of ATC/SATCO to forward letter to.

Is it better to speak to the SATCO and ask regarding assistant vacancies over the phone? Or would it be more practical to send a letter out as SATCO on job might be too busy to be disturbed whilst on duty?

Thanks in advance

[Vlad the Impaler]

Hi,
I have not been in the position of having to canvass ATC units but I would imagine that the SATCO is a good place to start. You can find contact details for the units in the textual information of the aerodrome AIP entry (available online).
Good luck

[GhostUK]

Cool, thanks for that Vlad.

Would someone be able to help me with the other part of my question? Better to speak directly to on duty SATCO or would they respond better via a letter/email?

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Three points.. The obvious way to contact ATC by telephone is to ring the airport and ask the PBX operator for ATC or the SATCO.. In the latter case you'll probably get his secretary unless it's a tin-pot place where the SATCO has to wear a hat. You could use this method to find the name of the SATCO, or Officer-in-Charge, or whatever he/she is called. For large airports the SATCO probably has little to do with direct recruting and you'd need to contact the Personel Dept (or by whatever name it's known).

Two.. I would suggest writing but be warned that when I tried (a hundred years ago) the reply rate was about one in ten million.

Three.. Why have you removed NATS from the equation? Despite the opinions you might read on here, NATS are good employers and staff enjoy very good conditions of service compared to elsewhere.. I know . .... some may not agree so you have to reach your own conclusions.

Good luck...

[Skyjuggler]

Hey Ghost

I'm not sure trying to speak to an ATCO while on position is the best idea

They might not be at their most polite.

My best suggestion to you is to try and get hold of the guys at the head office in charge of recruiting. Give them a call. You should be able to get that number relatively easily. Failing that, post on this thread the areas you're thinking of. Maybe a current ATCO will send you a PM or something to help put you in the right direction...

[GhostUK]

Thanks for the advice guys, your input appreciated as always.

Heathrow Director: RE: Nats. We've kinda already had this discussion about 2/3 times now (my fault really; I only pop on to the forum at random intervals, and I guess you see these types of questions all the time). I havent written off NATS completely, I'm just currently stuck in the 12 month mourning period.

But as always I really appreciate your advice and follow it through.

Skyjuggler: lol, I kinda had that feeling. I guess paper form is always better when dealing with a SATCO.

In regards to areas: I'm currently stuck at any place, any where. :P
If any of your guys do know of any places currently with open ATSA vacancies, I'd really appreciate it a pm.


I havent been having much luck recently. The last 2 ATSA's vacancies I applied for turned me down due to lack of atc experience. Althru the ad's did originally say; experience not essential.
But I cant really blame them, one post admitted to me they were overwhelmed with people already currently working for airfields so decided they would be better candidates as they wouldnt need to spend anything on additional training.

I guess the most difficult part is getting that initial foot in the door.. Bah

[goatface]

If you Google "xxxxx airport - SATCO" or "xxxxx airport - GMATS" that should give you a start, as HD also suggests, ringing the airport switchboard at non NATS airports is a good idea as well.
There aren't many SATCOs around now, theyre more commonly known as GMATS (General Manager Air Traffic Services).

Once you've got the information, compile your very best CV, get someone else (preferably by someone who deals with them regularly) to double check and pick holes in it, then rewrite it - no more than two sheets of A4 and a hand written covering letter and whizz it of to the person concerned.

Oh, and as HD quite rightly points out, don't discount NATS, they may not be the organisation they used to be but a person in your position could do a lot worse.

[Scott Diamond]

If you have internet access then look up the airport in the Nats AIP and all admin numbers can usually be found in the Textual Data.

NATS | AIS - Home

[GhostUK]

Hi guys,

Could you guys please give me some feedback on my cover letter? (TBH I've never written one before).

I tried following the online guides as best I could. I have a tendency to waffle and hopefully have not done too much.

Any corrections, additions, subtractions would be appreciated.

Thanks

[MY ADDRESS]


FAO MR BLOGS
[AIRPORT ADDRESS]


[TODAYS DATE]


Dear Mr BLOGS


I am writing to you in the hope that you may a vacant position now or in the near future for an air traffic service assistant (ATSA/ATCA).

From a young age I have always held a passion for aviation, and very much hope to one day to become a fully qualified ATCO. To gain a better insight into ATC I recently attended an assistant controller’s course with ASTAC Ltd and was awarded a certificate of successful completion. I also spent a week living on Gloucestershire airport, with access to the ATC tower.

I plan on going back in the next couple of months to do a week of work experience in the ATC tower, mainly shadowing the assistants and ATCO so that I can see the theory I learnt on my course used in practice.

I currently hold 9 GCSE’s ranging from grade B – C including maths, science and english. I am also a very quick learner with tea making skills second to none.

At the moment my current day job is working as an optical dispenser. I have a range of skills and experience attained from working in this field over the last 7 years.
Due to the nature of my previous career; working with patients from all walks of life my temperament is excellent and I work very well under high loads of pressure.

Please find enclosed a copy of my curriculum vitae for you to view.
If you have any questions at all, please get in contact with me.

I look forward to hearing from you,


Kind regards,


[MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE]

[radar707]

Ghost, check you PM's your letter needs a fair bit of work!!

[GhostUK]

Thanks again radar,
I really appreciate it mate.

[Fletchers Left Boot]

AS things stand, Nats are losing ATSA posts through voluntary redundancy rather than recruiting.