Military ATCO looking for options
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: The flatlands
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Have done the switch myself and unless you go to Nats be prepared to pay around 15-20k. I don't think anyone is paying for courses at the moment unlesss you get really really lucky.
However its worth the investment in my opinion , no secondary duties or four month trips to nasty places.
Good luck
However its worth the investment in my opinion , no secondary duties or four month trips to nasty places.
Good luck
Join Date: Oct 2007
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I did this just over a year ago and can confirm many other ex-mil ATCO have done the same. It is an expensive business, approx 20k for just one license. It's hard work but is worth it IF you secure employment at the end. Here comes the caution...... there are not many vacancies out there. My place of work has a stack of CV's from eager new ATCOs ex-mil or otherwise. maybe things will pick up one day but most employers are pleading poverty and recruitment and training budgets seem to be minimal. Good luck though.
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: In the rabbit hole
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NATS hiring EU national?
HEATHROW DIRECTOR Why not try NATS? If you are accepted you won't have to pay, as you would with the private colleges.
Would NATS be hiring a dedicated
, talented
, Greek 
,"ready to resign" military ATCO? Any links? Thanks
Would NATS be hiring a dedicated
, talented, Greek ,"ready to resign" military ATCO? Any links? Thanks
Join Date: Feb 2005
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If you fancy some sunshine, a company called GAL were taking ex-mil ATCOs for work with the UAE military in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. I'm not sure how good the deal is, but you would end up with ICAO licences.
Join Date: May 2010
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Can someone verify this: Even as an experienced and "military licensed" ATCO you still have to pay 15000 - 20000 GBP to go through the civil academy and have your ATCO license recognized? Is there no process or procedure for you to get the military training/license accredited? Cheers 
Join Date: Oct 2002
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Is there no process or procedure for you to get the military training/license accredited?
Yes there is; it's called, 'Do the civil ratings'.
There is a subtlety different approach to the job in the civil world which some ex-mil cannot grasp. That's why any previous mil experience counts for nowt and so need to take the same route as any other applicant.
Yes there is; it's called, 'Do the civil ratings'.
There is a subtlety different approach to the job in the civil world which some ex-mil cannot grasp. That's why any previous mil experience counts for nowt and so need to take the same route as any other applicant.
Join Date: Sep 2002
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Actually Justafew, you are wrong. In the past, Nav Canada and now Airways think the military licences count for more than 'nowt' and have recuited ex-mil controllers on an expedited process. No real need to go through the whole college process really.
Join Date: Aug 2000
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level Headed
How have you concluded that?
GAL are not providing civil ATC services within the UAE FIR and not getting GCAA endorsements from the regulator to do so...wondering how that will result in receiving an ICAO license?
Their domain is only in the military restricted airspace and the only civil traffic they deal with is those on direct contract to the UAE military or coalition forces based here on task in and out of the bases.
Additionally, regulated radar services from the adjacent civil ICAO accredited units is terminated prior to handing off to their controllers and departing traffic from the military airspace has to be identified formally on departure as there is no radar agreement with the UAE military units/providers and the adjacent civil units.
GAL does not have any regulatory or civil accredited license authority here in the UAE, currently only a direct military ATC provider under the Ministry of Defense contract requirements.
but you would end up with ICAO licences
GAL are not providing civil ATC services within the UAE FIR and not getting GCAA endorsements from the regulator to do so...wondering how that will result in receiving an ICAO license?
Their domain is only in the military restricted airspace and the only civil traffic they deal with is those on direct contract to the UAE military or coalition forces based here on task in and out of the bases.
Additionally, regulated radar services from the adjacent civil ICAO accredited units is terminated prior to handing off to their controllers and departing traffic from the military airspace has to be identified formally on departure as there is no radar agreement with the UAE military units/providers and the adjacent civil units.
GAL does not have any regulatory or civil accredited license authority here in the UAE, currently only a direct military ATC provider under the Ministry of Defense contract requirements.
