Privately funded ATC training...
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So, what would happen if NATS lost one of the London airport contracts? Would there potentially be non-NATS staff at TC doing the approach function for the concerned airport? Or would the new ANSP be forced to relinquish the approach function to NATS?
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That's the way I've understood it too, that for the London airports the bid is only for the aerodrome service and not approach.
To get back on the original topic, I can't help but think when I see this thread that if you can get something for free, why not take it? If you one day really want to move back then I'm sure you will be able too, but if ATC is what you want to do isn't it worth the sacrifice of moving? Especially when you not only get free training but also a salary during training (albeit a very modest one). That alone is more than 99% of people will ever get in their lifes, and even if you do self-fund your training you will have to move for the actual training (unless there's an ATC college where you live) and then still have no more gaurantee of being able to move back.
To get back on the original topic, I can't help but think when I see this thread that if you can get something for free, why not take it? If you one day really want to move back then I'm sure you will be able too, but if ATC is what you want to do isn't it worth the sacrifice of moving? Especially when you not only get free training but also a salary during training (albeit a very modest one). That alone is more than 99% of people will ever get in their lifes, and even if you do self-fund your training you will have to move for the actual training (unless there's an ATC college where you live) and then still have no more gaurantee of being able to move back.
Last edited by Crazy Voyager; 12th Jun 2013 at 17:54.
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Glamdring,
We've sort of been there before. Many years ago, NATS lost the contract to to provide TWR/APC at EGGP.
The problem was, the EGGP DECCA 424 wasn't the best approach surveillance radar in the world, so much of the N0.1 Director function was still carried out by area and approach staff at EGCC, on an amicable and reciprocal basis.
I'll scratch your back, if you scratch mine. Worked splendidly for many years.
Then local management/politicians/accountants took hold.
You can guess the rest.
Many more track miles were flown, with all those naughty pollutants, decibels, and CO2 emissions that SESAR and FAS are trying to eliminate.
Hope it never happens.
We've sort of been there before. Many years ago, NATS lost the contract to to provide TWR/APC at EGGP.
The problem was, the EGGP DECCA 424 wasn't the best approach surveillance radar in the world, so much of the N0.1 Director function was still carried out by area and approach staff at EGCC, on an amicable and reciprocal basis.
I'll scratch your back, if you scratch mine. Worked splendidly for many years.
Then local management/politicians/accountants took hold.
You can guess the rest.
Many more track miles were flown, with all those naughty pollutants, decibels, and CO2 emissions that SESAR and FAS are trying to eliminate.
Hope it never happens.
Last edited by ZOOKER; 12th Jun 2013 at 19:54.
Crazy Voyager: That's the way I've understood it too, that for the London airports the bid is only for the aerodrome service and not approach.
Not Long Now: Perhaps someone should tell the TC staff that they are no longer NERL and needn't worry about VR then...?
Surely no-one needs to worry about VR? It's voluntary, if they don't want, surely don't volunteer
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Thanks for all the information. Currently thinking about moving back to UK to re-train in ATC. Found this thread very useful if not somewhat confusing with all the acronyms. A sign of things to come I guess 
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As a side-note (but still relevant for the original poster) remember that non-NATS units will consider any ATCO applicant when there is a vacancy, but NATS will not even consider qualified non-NATS ATCOs for their vacancies, unless you are personally known to the unit in question. Not an issue if you want to work at another ANSP, but a real problem with career progression generally, especially in the south of England.
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<<NATS will not even consider qualified non-NATS ATCOs for their vacancies,>>
Guess things have changed. They took me on in 1971 and I was non-NATS (or Min of Av in those days).
Guess things have changed. They took me on in 1971 and I was non-NATS (or Min of Av in those days).
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<<NATS will not even consider qualified non-NATS ATCOs for their vacancies,>>
I think this was generally the case in the 80s and maybe even into the 90s but from what I understand, it's very definitely not the case any more.
I think this was generally the case in the 80s and maybe even into the 90s but from what I understand, it's very definitely not the case any more.
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I wonder how much of that is to do with the applicants? As soon as I joined I had to take an Approach Radar course which, by coincidence, was running at the same time as the Primary course which I would have been on had I not explained that I held a valid UK ATC Licence. Several people on that Primary course had licences but had simply done as they had been told and not questioned the decisions.
I left Heathrow Tower for TC in 2002 and there were certainly several non-NATS controllers who went straight to Heathrow from UK airfields, and they are still there.
I left Heathrow Tower for TC in 2002 and there were certainly several non-NATS controllers who went straight to Heathrow from UK airfields, and they are still there.
