Airservices Australia recruiting
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I think that you're on the ATC award, so about 7 1/4 hours per day. Some might be longer or shorter, but averaged out over a couple of months. Basically 2 hours in the sim or classroom, 30 min break, then back into it, 5 days a week. No weekend work - yet.
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Currently the TCUs are at the airport location, except for Canberra Approach which is Melbourne. The plan, I believe, is to relocate all TCUs to Melbourne or Brisbane Centres as part of the new OneSKY program, except for Perth which is a joint ASA/RAAF TCU.
Join Date: Nov 2013
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So they have open bids for intl ARTCC controllers, anybody know if they'll open up a bid for intl tower controllers? I'm in training now at Houston ARTCC in Texas, but have 3 towers ratings. I dont think I qualify for the ARTCC bid because I'm not rated.
You could do worse than contacting recruiting and expressing interest. I have no idea as to future plans, other than the workforce isn't getting any younger (lots of us are 45+) and shall we say the college is going to struggle to keep up with the demand with ab initios. i.e. you might have missed out this time but the chances are there will be further opportunities.
FWIW in Melbourne I work with a number of international en route recruits from the last lot about 7 years ago (several from the UK, several from South Africa & one from New Zealand). There was also one from Iceland but he went home after a couple of years. The situation is similar in Brisbane. Melbourne and Brisbane are the two en route centres FWIW.
FWIW in Melbourne I work with a number of international en route recruits from the last lot about 7 years ago (several from the UK, several from South Africa & one from New Zealand). There was also one from Iceland but he went home after a couple of years. The situation is similar in Brisbane. Melbourne and Brisbane are the two en route centres FWIW.
Join Date: Jul 2014
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Hi all,
Valid controller here who has been offered a place with ASA...en-route in Melbourne. If any kind soul who has made a similar transition from the UK be kind enough to PM me as I have some Qs regarding training/work etc that I would really appreciate being answered!
Thanks
Valid controller here who has been offered a place with ASA...en-route in Melbourne. If any kind soul who has made a similar transition from the UK be kind enough to PM me as I have some Qs regarding training/work etc that I would really appreciate being answered!
Thanks
1. Depends on your group/unit, and what roster line you are on (dependant on endorsements). Evens out to 9 x 8 hour days a fortnight..
2. Most groups/units have a leave planner, but this is normally allocated at least a year in advance. Not many issues with being able to take your accumulated leave at the moment.. You just need to get in early! Most groups also use a points system for popular times (xmas, Easter, school hols etc) to try share those around
3. Overtime availability also dependant on your group/unit.. Mine has been surviving on it for years! Some are a little better staffed.
2. Most groups/units have a leave planner, but this is normally allocated at least a year in advance. Not many issues with being able to take your accumulated leave at the moment.. You just need to get in early! Most groups also use a points system for popular times (xmas, Easter, school hols etc) to try share those around
3. Overtime availability also dependant on your group/unit.. Mine has been surviving on it for years! Some are a little better staffed.
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Re superannuation. Employer contribution is compulsory. Employee contribution is voluntary. Employee may salary sacrifice up to $35,000 per year which is taxed at a lower rate. Above that it is taxed at the normal rate.
Join Date: Jul 2014
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Ok fair enough, here are some Qs:
1. Training- How tough is it? Was it difficult to adapt from one method of working to a new way? What are the methods/ systems used….I'm from the UK and we use Strips, Radar Screen & a telephone panel and the primary technique used to control is the strip scan….are there similarities or would it be starting from scratch? Can someone explain the Eurocat system? Is there a decent pass/validation rate or are there numerous fails? Time to initial validation? Any tips/pitfalls to look out for?
2. Sectorisation- I have been offered en-route in Melbourne. Any insight into the sectors & style of controlling required? What are the busy times for the sectors…how complex are they?
3. Working life- what is the shift pattern, time off etc? Is ASA a good company to work for? Is there a social scene with folk from work?
4. Visa- the initial visa & contract runs for 4 years….this concerns me slightly….how does this work? Do we get PR after the 4 years & do ASA offer a permanent position at the same time? Anyone ever been turned down?
A bit of a barrage of Qs but if anyone could answer some of them I'm sure it would be helpful for folk looking in! Thanks in advance.
1. Training- How tough is it? Was it difficult to adapt from one method of working to a new way? What are the methods/ systems used….I'm from the UK and we use Strips, Radar Screen & a telephone panel and the primary technique used to control is the strip scan….are there similarities or would it be starting from scratch? Can someone explain the Eurocat system? Is there a decent pass/validation rate or are there numerous fails? Time to initial validation? Any tips/pitfalls to look out for?
2. Sectorisation- I have been offered en-route in Melbourne. Any insight into the sectors & style of controlling required? What are the busy times for the sectors…how complex are they?
3. Working life- what is the shift pattern, time off etc? Is ASA a good company to work for? Is there a social scene with folk from work?
4. Visa- the initial visa & contract runs for 4 years….this concerns me slightly….how does this work? Do we get PR after the 4 years & do ASA offer a permanent position at the same time? Anyone ever been turned down?
A bit of a barrage of Qs but if anyone could answer some of them I'm sure it would be helpful for folk looking in! Thanks in advance.
I'm an Aus controller (in Melbourne) so can't answer from a UK perspective but I'll answer what I can. I do work with a former UK controller FWIW.
1. I don't think there were too many lost due to failing on the previous experienced courses six or seven years ago. Not saying the training is soft (I don't think it is) but as an experienced controller you should have the necessary skills and mainly need to learn a new system and our idiosyncrasies.
We have electronic strips on screen instead of paper - scanning the display is the primary separation tool rather than the strips. There's a route function that displays the planned route of the aircraft and a time of passing function that displays how close they'll get and the estimated time. Strips are more a means of data entry and checking that separation.
These are sector boundaries to give you an idea of the sizes - the circle around Melbourne (YWE/ELW/WON - bottom right) is 100NM to give some perspective: http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/.../australia.pdf
See the sector FOR (bottom centre)? That would be larger than the entire UK. Not much traffic however
Here's some more perspective: http://www.britzinoz.com/wp-content/...aus-europe.jpg
ML ATSC 2000
The consoles haven't changed significantly from the above pic. On the lower left is the voice switch (intercoms and frequencies), centre is the main display and right is the auxiliary display (you can see some strips displayed there).
2. You could be doing anything from arrivals to radar en-route to large mainly ADS-B surveillance sectors (where you'll still need procedural skills) to mixtures of the preceding to sectors that are mixes of G, E, C and A and abut procedural towers and military airspace.
Morning, midday and evening are the busier times around the cities but early morning for the big ADS-B sectors due to international traffic. If you're controlling around Perth there is a two or three hour time difference (we have daylight savings and they don't).
3. Very much depends on the sectors you're working. As a controller with all the ratings in my group I nominally work MMAANNOOO. Those with fewer ratings might work MMAAOO. But that's just my group.
Like any large organisation it has its good and bad points. I enjoy the work, usually manage to ignore the bullsh!t and just get on with it. As much as most of us like to gripe, on the scale of things it could be far worse.
There is some social activity but given the many and varied shifts it can be a bugger to organise anything. Throw in family stuff and it can be rather limited. We don't work in teams as such which does mean you don't see too much of those who annoy you
4. I know a few pulled the plug at the end of their contract but I think that was genuinely personal choice and not leaping before being pushed. I don't know the actual process but as far as I know the rest got PR & continued employment. Not all marriages survived however. My personal opinion is we aren't that flush with staff that we can afford to ditch a rated controller if they want to stay and are performing.
1. I don't think there were too many lost due to failing on the previous experienced courses six or seven years ago. Not saying the training is soft (I don't think it is) but as an experienced controller you should have the necessary skills and mainly need to learn a new system and our idiosyncrasies.
We have electronic strips on screen instead of paper - scanning the display is the primary separation tool rather than the strips. There's a route function that displays the planned route of the aircraft and a time of passing function that displays how close they'll get and the estimated time. Strips are more a means of data entry and checking that separation.
These are sector boundaries to give you an idea of the sizes - the circle around Melbourne (YWE/ELW/WON - bottom right) is 100NM to give some perspective: http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/.../australia.pdf
See the sector FOR (bottom centre)? That would be larger than the entire UK. Not much traffic however
Here's some more perspective: http://www.britzinoz.com/wp-content/...aus-europe.jpgML ATSC 2000
The consoles haven't changed significantly from the above pic. On the lower left is the voice switch (intercoms and frequencies), centre is the main display and right is the auxiliary display (you can see some strips displayed there).
2. You could be doing anything from arrivals to radar en-route to large mainly ADS-B surveillance sectors (where you'll still need procedural skills) to mixtures of the preceding to sectors that are mixes of G, E, C and A and abut procedural towers and military airspace.
Morning, midday and evening are the busier times around the cities but early morning for the big ADS-B sectors due to international traffic. If you're controlling around Perth there is a two or three hour time difference (we have daylight savings and they don't).
3. Very much depends on the sectors you're working. As a controller with all the ratings in my group I nominally work MMAANNOOO. Those with fewer ratings might work MMAAOO. But that's just my group.
Like any large organisation it has its good and bad points. I enjoy the work, usually manage to ignore the bullsh!t and just get on with it. As much as most of us like to gripe, on the scale of things it could be far worse.
There is some social activity but given the many and varied shifts it can be a bugger to organise anything. Throw in family stuff and it can be rather limited. We don't work in teams as such which does mean you don't see too much of those who annoy you
4. I know a few pulled the plug at the end of their contract but I think that was genuinely personal choice and not leaping before being pushed. I don't know the actual process but as far as I know the rest got PR & continued employment. Not all marriages survived however. My personal opinion is we aren't that flush with staff that we can afford to ditch a rated controller if they want to stay and are performing.
Join Date: Jul 2014
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le Pingouin- thank you very much for that detailed response, exactly the type of information I was looking for and very helpful. Much appreciated!
I would love to hear from an ex-UK controller persepective if possible so if anyone is looking in that fits the bill, a summary of your experience would be very welcome.
Thanks again.
I would love to hear from an ex-UK controller persepective if possible so if anyone is looking in that fits the bill, a summary of your experience would be very welcome.
Thanks again.
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Geedub, my offer specifically says "We will fund accommodation in a serviced apartment for the duration of your initial training under direction of the learning academy, as arranged by airservices, and may be on a share basis"
Thanks to everyone for all the info so far. Does anyone know what kind of systems the Class D airports, specifically Bankstown, use? Old school paper strips, electronic strips, radar etc? Thanks again!
Thanks to everyone for all the info so far. Does anyone know what kind of systems the Class D airports, specifically Bankstown, use? Old school paper strips, electronic strips, radar etc? Thanks again!
BK uses strips for IFR departures and IFR arrivals otherwise its a scratch pad (pen and paper) for the circuits. They have a radar display of sorts (TSAD) which can be used a reference (when to ask an aircraft their position) rather than for separation.
This link may assist http://http://www.alphaflying.asn.au...r/FTTJul09.pdf
This link may assist http://http://www.alphaflying.asn.au...r/FTTJul09.pdf