HIAL Jobs
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Chaps,
I have applied for the jobs with HIAL, (time for a change
), anyone like to comment on conditions/lifestyle in say, ...Sumburgh? I have one first hand account from a colleague who left there about three years ago, any changes in that time? Any pointers would be most welcome...
Rocky01
I have applied for the jobs with HIAL, (time for a change
), anyone like to comment on conditions/lifestyle in say, ...Sumburgh? I have one first hand account from a colleague who left there about three years ago, any changes in that time? Any pointers would be most welcome...Rocky01
HAAA ha ha, I love it....but then again...
...I had been hoping for some positive comments or advice to the wary....any chance??
I was at Sumburgh in 1972; the seals and sheep were friendly. The SATCO, who was also airport manager, kept a mattress on the floor in the basement store room specially for ATCO Cadets to 'sleep it off'. I used it only once in my 30 days there.
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Its a great place to work. A small friendly team with no ego's.
Not sure where you got your info from as the units last controller joined over 10 years ago. That should show how well the unit at Sumburgh is, given the high turnover of staff at other airfields. Since then there have been several trainees who have spent a period of time at EGPB before heading on a procedural course.
The only change in the last several years is the level of traffic which is up considerably.
Not sure where you got your info from as the units last controller joined over 10 years ago. That should show how well the unit at Sumburgh is, given the high turnover of staff at other airfields. Since then there have been several trainees who have spent a period of time at EGPB before heading on a procedural course.
The only change in the last several years is the level of traffic which is up considerably.
'Now then now then'
Careful 2 Sheds, people might think you're a friend of JS.
My stint at Sumburgh was at the start of the oil boom. Only half a dozen rigs and 3 based helicopters.
ATC consisted of a permanent ATCO/Manager assisted by 2 ATCO Cadets rotating through every 4 weeks; one replacement cadet arrived every 2 weeks so it was up to the 'experienced' one who had been there 2 weeks to show them the ropes!
Careful 2 Sheds, people might think you're a friend of JS.
My stint at Sumburgh was at the start of the oil boom. Only half a dozen rigs and 3 based helicopters.
ATC consisted of a permanent ATCO/Manager assisted by 2 ATCO Cadets rotating through every 4 weeks; one replacement cadet arrived every 2 weeks so it was up to the 'experienced' one who had been there 2 weeks to show them the ropes!
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I was there 89-91 with NATS different then 3 radar positions plus tower. Still remember the first returning empty VC8's going for a low level 'tour' and beat up of the airfield on way back to EGPD! The first departing HS74's trying to turn inside the VCR off 33 for noise abatement i.e. not over flying Virkie! They used to warn the pax's about this before departure. Saw one do it as well!!
Dalsetter Wynd and the parties......Mayberry club dinning in nights......BIH club......Happy days!!
Locals are great once they get to know you we still, 20+ years later, get Xmas cards from friends up there! My wife worked in Lerwick as a nurse and still has very good friends from the time we were there.
Fourteen hour ferry ride (or as one of our returning cadets had five days!!) through some of the roughest waters around can be interesting but on a few occasions was just like a mill pond!!
We would go back tomorrow......
Dalsetter Wynd and the parties......Mayberry club dinning in nights......BIH club......Happy days!!
Locals are great once they get to know you we still, 20+ years later, get Xmas cards from friends up there! My wife worked in Lerwick as a nurse and still has very good friends from the time we were there.
Fourteen hour ferry ride (or as one of our returning cadets had five days!!) through some of the roughest waters around can be interesting but on a few occasions was just like a mill pond!!
We would go back tomorrow......
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I've also applied for one of the HIAL jobs all be it the ab initio ones. Heading to Global ATS on 25th for FEAST testing. All things being equal i'll be off to Stornoway as a stude ATCO. Dreading the aptitude tests though!! 
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I don't know about the ATC side of things but they always seemed happy enough when landing there.
Shetland though you will either love it or hate it. Most love it.
The wx up there will be a bit surprising for the first year. A good gortex jacket should be taken with you.
But the life style up there and the community if it suits you are second to none.
The ferry can be a bit of pain in the bum. There are more than a few refuse to go on it. Some love it. I did as a kid. They will put to sea though in some pretty horrible conditions.
I can remember the St Clair sitting off in Stonehaven bay for days and Northsound saying that they had run out of beer and whisky and they were going for it. Which point everyone headed down to torry battery to watch her come in. A big boat running down a huge wave and then an explosion of noise as her nose came past the break water with water frothing at the back and bow thrusters thrashing is a sight to be seen. They made it, but it took 3 days to clean the boat up.
And flights can also get interesting, but personally I loved flying up there. Taking off with a wall of water going up at the other end of the runway takes a bit of getting used to.
I would say go for it if the ATC side of things are OK.
Shetland though you will either love it or hate it. Most love it.
The wx up there will be a bit surprising for the first year. A good gortex jacket should be taken with you.
But the life style up there and the community if it suits you are second to none.
The ferry can be a bit of pain in the bum. There are more than a few refuse to go on it. Some love it. I did as a kid. They will put to sea though in some pretty horrible conditions.
I can remember the St Clair sitting off in Stonehaven bay for days and Northsound saying that they had run out of beer and whisky and they were going for it. Which point everyone headed down to torry battery to watch her come in. A big boat running down a huge wave and then an explosion of noise as her nose came past the break water with water frothing at the back and bow thrusters thrashing is a sight to be seen. They made it, but it took 3 days to clean the boat up.
And flights can also get interesting, but personally I loved flying up there. Taking off with a wall of water going up at the other end of the runway takes a bit of getting used to.
I would say go for it if the ATC side of things are OK.
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10 DME, I did a fam flight and experienced the early-turn departure on the jump-seat, not for the nervous flyer I can assure you.
I am at Prestwick Centre and work the West Coast sector quite a lot and must say that the HIAL guys are very easy to work with and seem to be a pretty happy bunch.
I am at Prestwick Centre and work the West Coast sector quite a lot and must say that the HIAL guys are very easy to work with and seem to be a pretty happy bunch.
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Did an unofficial fam-flight up there when I was a cadet. This was back in the early 80s. Seemed to be a great bunch of people - very friendly, happy and quite content to explain the obvious to an iggerent young 'un. Thought I might like a posting there but it never came to be....mind you, it was a nice day when I visited.
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Thank you, thank you, everyone who took the trouble of posting, it all helps.
I'm at that stage of my career, that something different just might be what I need ...anyway, I'm waiting to see if I get a call up!
I am thinking if I do get a call, a visit would be in order to check things out for myself.
Thanks again everyone,
Rocky01
I'm at that stage of my career, that something different just might be what I need ...anyway, I'm waiting to see if I get a call up!
I am thinking if I do get a call, a visit would be in order to check things out for myself.
Thanks again everyone,
Rocky01
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I don't know what ratings you have in Ireland but remember Sumburgh is tower only. I would also suggest that the days of heavy drinking ( or drinking heavy, sorry Scottish play on words ) are over. 
Rgds
AyrTC
Rgds
AyrTC
Last edited by AyrTC; 19th Nov 2013 at 23:25.
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Rocky01, I worked for HIAL for a couple of years not too long ago and to be fair they were pretty good when it came to pay and conditions. the job was very enjoyable and we had a pretty good bunch in Orkney. The SATCO who was there when I left was a great chap, bit of a wimp ex Royal Marine body builder but still a great chap !
I think senior management struggled at times as most were none ATC experienced but from my experience that is the norm. HIAL is a great platform to learn the ropes and decide what your future course may be after that. I personally could have stayed in Orkney for years but could not turn down a better job when it was offered.
You do feel a bit out in the sticks on the islands but you just have to adapt to a different way of life. The Orkney islanders were a very friendly bunch so I imagine the Shetlanders to be similar.
I certainly would not turn down HIAL unless you had a very good job offer from elsewhere. Best of luck
I think senior management struggled at times as most were none ATC experienced but from my experience that is the norm. HIAL is a great platform to learn the ropes and decide what your future course may be after that. I personally could have stayed in Orkney for years but could not turn down a better job when it was offered.
You do feel a bit out in the sticks on the islands but you just have to adapt to a different way of life. The Orkney islanders were a very friendly bunch so I imagine the Shetlanders to be similar.
I certainly would not turn down HIAL unless you had a very good job offer from elsewhere. Best of luck
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...again, thanks to everyone for the replies. Thing is, I am in a SATCO job right now, but working for a ruthless (private sector) employer, slash and cut is the mantra, and I can't take it anymore. Too many good people, ATC and OPS have been let go, with no replacements, all to save money.(While so called "business advisors" on easy money, have the ear of our owners)
So, if an offer comes up elsewhere, I will give it serious consideration, hence the applications to HIAL.
Rocky01
So, if an offer comes up elsewhere, I will give it serious consideration, hence the applications to HIAL.
Rocky01
