Could anyone become an ATCO?
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I've been in ATC now for 44 years now, and, one way or another, helping to train aspiring young ATCO trainees for some time. I still don't know what makes an ATCO. If I did I would bottle it and make a fortune. I can sometimes tell quite early on in the training who will not/should not become an ATCO, but I have been wrong sometimes. I have a theory that those who have qualifications in the arts as opposed to the sciences are more likely to become good controllers, but that may be total hogwash. I also have theory that a higher percentage of ATC graduates are left-handed. Make of that what you will.
In short, the only predictor is the assessment process, the system cannot yet tell you your fortune.
In short, the only predictor is the assessment process, the system cannot yet tell you your fortune.
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I also have theory that a higher percentage of ATC graduates are left-handed.
It is certainly something that I checked with all my trainees over the years. There do seem to be a bigger proportion of lefties in ATC than the average would suggest, but only on the area side of ATC. Approach controllers are mainly all right-handed and I never noticed any bias in tower controllers.
Also graduates with science-oriented degrees, where there are "black and white" solutions to problems, seemed less able to cope with "out of the ordinary" scenarios.
Mind you, I could be a tad biased, as I'm left-handed and not a science graduate. Wasn't too shabby at controlling either, but that's probably debatable.
<- he's a leftie!On the beach
<- he's a leftie!Join Date: Feb 2001
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Approach controllers are mainly all right-handed
Not so - I once found myself completely surrounded a few years ago on Heathrow Approach by left handers! I reckon there is about a 50-50 mix. This is interesting as the furniture is designed for right handers and I often see lefties trying to write on strips etc.
Not so - I once found myself completely surrounded a few years ago on Heathrow Approach by left handers! I reckon there is about a 50-50 mix. This is interesting as the furniture is designed for right handers and I often see lefties trying to write on strips etc.
Could anyone be an ATCO
If I could then anyone could!
Mind you I am left-handed as were quite a few others at LL,particularly on C Watch.
Phil,
Good to see you found something positive!
A lot of prejudice from my generation against graduates was nothing to do with them as individuals but because our employers,particularly in my first career as an air force nav, seemed to think that was the way to go!
Good luck
PS ATCO son has a degree , pah!
Mind you I am left-handed as were quite a few others at LL,particularly on C Watch.
Phil,
Good to see you found something positive!
A lot of prejudice from my generation against graduates was nothing to do with them as individuals but because our employers,particularly in my first career as an air force nav, seemed to think that was the way to go!
Good luck
PS ATCO son has a degree , pah!
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Could Anyone become an ATCO
Its amazing how the foot switch makes life easier for us as lefties. The number of ATC desks that are right hand orientated. Makes a foot switch a bit of a necessity
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What is this voodoo that you speak of?
Naughty but Nice
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Well I've been watching this thread with interest.
Like Bern Oulli I have noticed that the proportion of lefties in air traffic is considerably greater than it is normally, although that is purely observation from the day I was at the college until now and not scientific in any way!
I seem to recall from years ago that artistic stuff meant that one particular side of your brain was developed more, so whether that has any bearing on it I'm not sure...
I'm a science graduate, so it's not impossible, but as others have said no-one really cares what you did before. Being a graduate may (and I only say may) suggest that you have the ability to study and therefore cope with the bookwork side of it, but you still need to be able to do the actual job, not something you can do just by reading a book. Having said that, my brain loves logic, and that was a big part of my love of things mathematical; air traffic is a big logic puzzle to me and I relish it.
If I had a pound for all the times I have spent over the years debating with people about having a prior aviaition background and knowledge I'd be rich enough to not work as an ATCO! IMHO there is no requirement to have this prior to entering the job, but it's a darn good idea to gain at least some knowledge if you don't have any! I joined air traffic without much idea about planes at all, but was lucky enough to have been pointed in the air traffic direction by someone who thought I would like it, enjoy it and be good at it. My interest in and love of aviation was sparked by the job rather than the other way round. If some had their way I would never have been in the job, and I've been valid for over 11 years now. (yes I know, still a youngster to many!)
I think one of the most important elements to whether or not people will be successful as a controller is in their strength of character. You need to be able to make decisions and stick to them, but not be stubborn if you need to change them. You need to be able to cope with the character of others too; some personal self confidence is definitely vital.
Then again, in my opinion, the way someone is trained and the attitude, skills and motivation of the trainers has a huge effect on whether they suceed or not. I've been lucky enough to have some very good instructors (Bern Oulli for 1
) who put time and effort into their training and really cared about how people did. I took that with me and when I began to train people I always looked for how I could help people to get there. Sadly not everyone can make it, but I feel we do lose some who could if we tried a different approach or gave them better quality of training.
I don't believe just anyone could be a controller; I do think that some would never get it. If I think through my friends and relatives I definitely know there are one or two who could not. (for instance my brother is dyslexic, and would struggle with callsigns!)
I'm sure that a few years ago they said women would never be controllers; now look at us
I think the biggest thing is that we shouldn't be prejudice against anyone who passes the initial tests which suggest they may have an apptitude. I'm sure that if someone had found the perfect formula for an ATCO they'd have been using it by now...
Cheers,
Northerner
PS I'm hoping my punctuation and grammer are up to standard; but I feel for the kids these days who aren't taught properly - it's not their fault that they don't have the education!
"Keep smiling, it makes people wonder what you're up to..."
Like Bern Oulli I have noticed that the proportion of lefties in air traffic is considerably greater than it is normally, although that is purely observation from the day I was at the college until now and not scientific in any way!
I seem to recall from years ago that artistic stuff meant that one particular side of your brain was developed more, so whether that has any bearing on it I'm not sure...
I'm a science graduate, so it's not impossible, but as others have said no-one really cares what you did before. Being a graduate may (and I only say may) suggest that you have the ability to study and therefore cope with the bookwork side of it, but you still need to be able to do the actual job, not something you can do just by reading a book. Having said that, my brain loves logic, and that was a big part of my love of things mathematical; air traffic is a big logic puzzle to me and I relish it.
If I had a pound for all the times I have spent over the years debating with people about having a prior aviaition background and knowledge I'd be rich enough to not work as an ATCO! IMHO there is no requirement to have this prior to entering the job, but it's a darn good idea to gain at least some knowledge if you don't have any! I joined air traffic without much idea about planes at all, but was lucky enough to have been pointed in the air traffic direction by someone who thought I would like it, enjoy it and be good at it. My interest in and love of aviation was sparked by the job rather than the other way round. If some had their way I would never have been in the job, and I've been valid for over 11 years now. (yes I know, still a youngster to many!)
I think one of the most important elements to whether or not people will be successful as a controller is in their strength of character. You need to be able to make decisions and stick to them, but not be stubborn if you need to change them. You need to be able to cope with the character of others too; some personal self confidence is definitely vital.
Then again, in my opinion, the way someone is trained and the attitude, skills and motivation of the trainers has a huge effect on whether they suceed or not. I've been lucky enough to have some very good instructors (Bern Oulli for 1
) who put time and effort into their training and really cared about how people did. I took that with me and when I began to train people I always looked for how I could help people to get there. Sadly not everyone can make it, but I feel we do lose some who could if we tried a different approach or gave them better quality of training.I don't believe just anyone could be a controller; I do think that some would never get it. If I think through my friends and relatives I definitely know there are one or two who could not. (for instance my brother is dyslexic, and would struggle with callsigns!)
I'm sure that a few years ago they said women would never be controllers; now look at us
I think the biggest thing is that we shouldn't be prejudice against anyone who passes the initial tests which suggest they may have an apptitude. I'm sure that if someone had found the perfect formula for an ATCO they'd have been using it by now...
Cheers,
Northerner
PS I'm hoping my punctuation and grammer are up to standard; but I feel for the kids these days who aren't taught properly - it's not their fault that they don't have the education!
"Keep smiling, it makes people wonder what you're up to..."
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To become a controller, you'll need at least :
- A right and a left hand, two eyes, two ears, one mouth and benefit the ability to use each at the same time independantly one of each-other. Not to mention one foot, for the switch...
- reflexes and speed of a table-tennis player,
- team-spirit of a volley-ball player,
- cool blood of a football (NFL) quatterback (stay precise and effective even though you're going to be sacked in a few seconds),
- during your training, cope day after day, after day with situations that would lead the average human to immediately commit suicide,
- be able to focus as a curling thrower,
- think as a chess player : always 5 moves forward,
- learn as much rules as a lawyer, and be able to apply them with no time to check if you're right or wrong,
- be self-confident as a car seller,
- recheck everything twice (just to be sure) without losing speed,
- cope with lonelyness, as social life is impossible, due to rosters,
- If ever you keep any "normal" (meaning non-ATCO) friends, be able as a politician to change subject when they tell you : "I read in the papers that you're lazy and overpaid".
And I was about to forget the most important : a total lack of wisdom.
Anyone with a bit of brain and all these skills would choose another job.
Good luck !
PS :
Don't worry if you think you don't have the skills yet. That's normal : you're still human . You'll get them during the training.
- A right and a left hand, two eyes, two ears, one mouth and benefit the ability to use each at the same time independantly one of each-other. Not to mention one foot, for the switch...
- reflexes and speed of a table-tennis player,
- team-spirit of a volley-ball player,
- cool blood of a football (NFL) quatterback (stay precise and effective even though you're going to be sacked in a few seconds),
- during your training, cope day after day, after day with situations that would lead the average human to immediately commit suicide,
- be able to focus as a curling thrower,
- think as a chess player : always 5 moves forward,
- learn as much rules as a lawyer, and be able to apply them with no time to check if you're right or wrong,
- be self-confident as a car seller,
- recheck everything twice (just to be sure) without losing speed,
- cope with lonelyness, as social life is impossible, due to rosters,
- If ever you keep any "normal" (meaning non-ATCO) friends, be able as a politician to change subject when they tell you : "I read in the papers that you're lazy and overpaid".
And I was about to forget the most important : a total lack of wisdom.
Anyone with a bit of brain and all these skills would choose another job.
Good luck !
PS :
Don't worry if you think you don't have the skills yet. That's normal : you're still human . You'll get them during the training.
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BrATCO,
I trust the above is meant tongue in cheek, especially this...
Tosh!
I trust the above is meant tongue in cheek, especially this...
- during your training, cope day after day, after day with situations that would lead the average human to immediately commit suicide,
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Of course, even though controllers, we're still human !
As for training conditions, I was trained the ancient way.
Youngsters couldn't survive this anymore.
Edited to add :
As I don't want to scare anyone (because there's no reason to be scared), I confirm that this was "tongue in cheeck" !
The way I was trained was a bit hard, but that was long ago and only few of my instructors were real hard-holes.
Their motto was : "If you don't resist the way I treat you , you will never be able to resist the traffic !".
Maybe they were right : flow management was not as efficient as it is now.
And I reckon they didn't even know the meaning of "Human Factors" or "Team Ressource Management". OJTI rating didn't exist then.
Training methods have changed now. A lot !
As for training conditions, I was trained the ancient way.
Youngsters couldn't survive this anymore.
Edited to add :
As I don't want to scare anyone (because there's no reason to be scared), I confirm that this was "tongue in cheeck" !
The way I was trained was a bit hard, but that was long ago and only few of my instructors were real hard-holes.
Their motto was : "If you don't resist the way I treat you , you will never be able to resist the traffic !".
Maybe they were right : flow management was not as efficient as it is now.
And I reckon they didn't even know the meaning of "Human Factors" or "Team Ressource Management". OJTI rating didn't exist then.
Training methods have changed now. A lot !
Last edited by BrATCO; 17th Jan 2011 at 16:26. Reason: Obvious
