ATC private training?
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ATC private training?
Hello, everyone, new guy here. Falcio's the (nick)name.
I wanted to ask you people for insights about private schools that offer ATC training.
I'm an interpreter, but after 10 years of no luck in finding a stable job I thought that I should probably learn another more in demand trade. So I told myself, "Self, why not going for something you really love? Like Air Traffic Control?".
That would be my dilemma. I'm 29 and will turn 30 this year. I'm too old for Eurocontrol and most other ATS providers in Europe. I've found out that there are a number of private schools offering training to people of all ages, but would you say it'd be worth the trouble and the large sum required?
I've tried asking around but I couldn't find solid answers.
Is it already too late for me? Is private training just a scam that will give you a student license and no possibility to find a job? How is it that private training seems so much shorter than that offered by national ATS providers? Would those money be better invested in a CPL (H maybe?)?
I'd actually have some more indepth dilemmas too. Hope someone can enlighten me here, since little came up with the search button.
Thank you in advance.
I wanted to ask you people for insights about private schools that offer ATC training.
I'm an interpreter, but after 10 years of no luck in finding a stable job I thought that I should probably learn another more in demand trade. So I told myself, "Self, why not going for something you really love? Like Air Traffic Control?".
That would be my dilemma. I'm 29 and will turn 30 this year. I'm too old for Eurocontrol and most other ATS providers in Europe. I've found out that there are a number of private schools offering training to people of all ages, but would you say it'd be worth the trouble and the large sum required?
I've tried asking around but I couldn't find solid answers.
Is it already too late for me? Is private training just a scam that will give you a student license and no possibility to find a job? How is it that private training seems so much shorter than that offered by national ATS providers? Would those money be better invested in a CPL (H maybe?)?
I'd actually have some more indepth dilemmas too. Hope someone can enlighten me here, since little came up with the search button.
Thank you in advance.
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Let me save you time and money. You're too late to the party. Look for something else. The chances of you becoming an air traffic controller are slim to none.
From what I've heard and read, I agree with #2.
I've not heard of any ANSP that has hired a self-funded student controller who has no operational experience.
I've not heard of any ANSP that has hired a self-funded student controller who has no operational experience.
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Self funding
Falcio,
I could not disagree more with the other two posts! I was over 30 years old when I self funded through Tower (ADI) It was not easy getting my first post, in fact I started as an Assistant, then over time started to do some live training. After validation in Tower, I was sent onto the Radar course, and am now, dual rated at a great, regional airport, and love the job!
So I say, Do what you think is right, don't ask on here, as most on here are as sour as ought
Talk to Andy Cameron at Global ATS.
Hope this is at least constructive!
I could not disagree more with the other two posts! I was over 30 years old when I self funded through Tower (ADI) It was not easy getting my first post, in fact I started as an Assistant, then over time started to do some live training. After validation in Tower, I was sent onto the Radar course, and am now, dual rated at a great, regional airport, and love the job!
So I say, Do what you think is right, don't ask on here, as most on here are as sour as ought
Talk to Andy Cameron at Global ATS.
Hope this is at least constructive!
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ATC private training?
Although Eurocontrol have very strict age restrictions, many other ANSPs do not. For example, I know people who started NATS college in their mid-late thirties.
As for self funding, I see so many threads on this forum from people who have done the same, and are finding it almost impossible to secure an OJT spot. If I was in your position I would send my CV, along with a cover letter explaining that I'm prepared to pay for my own course, to every airport I can find. They'll know if they have anyone planning to leave or retire in the next couple of years, and might be keen to save some money.
Good luck
As for self funding, I see so many threads on this forum from people who have done the same, and are finding it almost impossible to secure an OJT spot. If I was in your position I would send my CV, along with a cover letter explaining that I'm prepared to pay for my own course, to every airport I can find. They'll know if they have anyone planning to leave or retire in the next couple of years, and might be keen to save some money.
Good luck
There are a couple of colleges in the UK who will train you - for a price; Cwmbran is one. www.resourcegroup.co.uk
But be aware there is a 'glut' of self funded Student ATCOs in the UK, many of them Spanish, who trained 3 or 4 years ago and still haven't found a job as they have no operational experience.
But be aware there is a 'glut' of self funded Student ATCOs in the UK, many of them Spanish, who trained 3 or 4 years ago and still haven't found a job as they have no operational experience.
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Thanks everyone for the replies.
I did expect mixed answers, but any insight is totally welcome. Not just looking to hear what I'd hope to.
Fact is, I also know of some national ATS training people only for student licenses and I did always wonder how do those guys manage to find OJT positions...heard that many just don't
And since cottononquick and chevvron were kind enough to provide the hint, would anyone know of more colleges offering private training? For now, in Europe I've only found global ATS and FTEJerez, while the rest would be in the US (where I could even work, having a first degree relative with citizenship), but I guess that after becoming 31 it would be impossible to find a job with no operational experience?
I did expect mixed answers, but any insight is totally welcome. Not just looking to hear what I'd hope to.
Fact is, I also know of some national ATS training people only for student licenses and I did always wonder how do those guys manage to find OJT positions...heard that many just don't
And since cottononquick and chevvron were kind enough to provide the hint, would anyone know of more colleges offering private training? For now, in Europe I've only found global ATS and FTEJerez, while the rest would be in the US (where I could even work, having a first degree relative with citizenship), but I guess that after becoming 31 it would be impossible to find a job with no operational experience?
Self Funding : Its your money so,
Have a look at some of the other posts there is quite a few who paid their way and have nothing to show for it.
Others have been "parked" by their ANSP sponsor as they are surplus to requirements at present.
Most Airports and ANSP's are replacing retirements where necessary and that's all.
Despite the hype there is only about 16,000 ATCO's between the main ANSP's and the smaller towers in Europe.
As new technology comes on stream for the Remote Tower Concept (2018+) many of the smaller airports will no longer have an actual ATC presence at the aerodrome.
So even this route will become scarce.
Any private college will happily take your money and train you, but what then?
Think long and hard before committing yourself to this course of action.
Remember "one swallow does not a summer make".
You will always hear of the success from self funding you will rarely hear of the ones who have a licence but no job.
Your signature indicates Italy so assuming you are an Italian citizen then free movement of labour in the EU applies.
Where you train will have an implication for your employment prospects.
There is an EU ATCO licence so ensure any course provider you choose is certified
As far as I am aware there is only one EU recognised training course in the USA.
Then the longer you are without a job you will have to do an assessment of needs before anyone will consider you for unit training.
Up to a max of 4 years.
The validity of the licence is 4 years. The unit endorsement is only valid for that unit for a 12 month period.
Language, check the small print. Some airports require a degree of competence in their native language.
Do what you think is right,
Others have been "parked" by their ANSP sponsor as they are surplus to requirements at present.
Most Airports and ANSP's are replacing retirements where necessary and that's all.
Despite the hype there is only about 16,000 ATCO's between the main ANSP's and the smaller towers in Europe.
As new technology comes on stream for the Remote Tower Concept (2018+) many of the smaller airports will no longer have an actual ATC presence at the aerodrome.
So even this route will become scarce.
Any private college will happily take your money and train you, but what then?
Think long and hard before committing yourself to this course of action.
Remember "one swallow does not a summer make".
You will always hear of the success from self funding you will rarely hear of the ones who have a licence but no job.
Your signature indicates Italy so assuming you are an Italian citizen then free movement of labour in the EU applies.
Where you train will have an implication for your employment prospects.
There is an EU ATCO licence so ensure any course provider you choose is certified
As far as I am aware there is only one EU recognised training course in the USA.
Then the longer you are without a job you will have to do an assessment of needs before anyone will consider you for unit training.
Up to a max of 4 years.
The validity of the licence is 4 years. The unit endorsement is only valid for that unit for a 12 month period.
Language, check the small print. Some airports require a degree of competence in their native language.
Go the ANSP route, self funded controllers rarely do well from what I've seen.
Also, your age is NOT a factor, I work with plenty of ATCOs who only started training in their mid to late thirties.
As an interpreter, I'm guessing your English is good, so send a CV into NATS or the IAA, and monitor their websites to see when they are recruiting
Also, your age is NOT a factor, I work with plenty of ATCOs who only started training in their mid to late thirties.
As an interpreter, I'm guessing your English is good, so send a CV into NATS or the IAA, and monitor their websites to see when they are recruiting
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More useful info, thank you, guys. ^^
I did already think about trying out at NATS and IAA, since they are among the few that have no age limits. However I was wondering about private training so that I wouldn't have to wait for them to look for trainees (and a friend of mine just sat an IAA a pair of months ago, which makes me guess that there won't be another one too soon.).
The information I'm getting seems to indicate that the private way is too risky
What if I tried going for an AFISO licence instead of an ATC one? Do you think that would be a good way to start gaining experience for the future IF I do manage to get myself an ATCO training course?
Has anyone here ever actually tried such a course of action?
I did already think about trying out at NATS and IAA, since they are among the few that have no age limits. However I was wondering about private training so that I wouldn't have to wait for them to look for trainees (and a friend of mine just sat an IAA a pair of months ago, which makes me guess that there won't be another one too soon.).
The information I'm getting seems to indicate that the private way is too risky
What if I tried going for an AFISO licence instead of an ATC one? Do you think that would be a good way to start gaining experience for the future IF I do manage to get myself an ATCO training course?
Has anyone here ever actually tried such a course of action?
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Falcio
I did exactly that. I did 13 years as a military assistant. Did my AFISO licence on leaving and spent 13 years ( my choice ) doing that leaving as a Senior Fiso and local examiner. Took a short backward step as a civil ATSA for about a year before starting an airport funded ADI licence in 1999 aged 42. 15 years later I have ADI, APP,APS,OJTI & UCE endorsements. The learning curve was very steep and difficult at times but doable if you REALLY want it.
Everyone is different and there is no reason why you won't be able to achieve your goals. It took me a long time to get there but I did it. Only you will know how much you really WANT it.
I did exactly that. I did 13 years as a military assistant. Did my AFISO licence on leaving and spent 13 years ( my choice ) doing that leaving as a Senior Fiso and local examiner. Took a short backward step as a civil ATSA for about a year before starting an airport funded ADI licence in 1999 aged 42. 15 years later I have ADI, APP,APS,OJTI & UCE endorsements. The learning curve was very steep and difficult at times but doable if you REALLY want it.
Everyone is different and there is no reason why you won't be able to achieve your goals. It took me a long time to get there but I did it. Only you will know how much you really WANT it.
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Considering the forum threads here with private funded students looking for jobs are becoming more and more common I wouldn't waste my money if I was you. Apply to the ANSPs without an age limit and go for that route. That way you will "only" waste time and a bit of money if you fail. If you go privately you will waste time and a big amount of money if it doesn't work.
Yes it is possible to self fund, but considering how difficult it is when you're with one of the big ones I can't imagine how difficult it is to land a job on your own.
Also if you're worried about your age, if you go down the route of working up to a sponsorship through an assitant post or similar then you'll probably be looking at more time than with the big ANSPs, even when you consider the time of the application process and then waiting for a course start.
Regardless of what you do though, good luck
Yes it is possible to self fund, but considering how difficult it is when you're with one of the big ones I can't imagine how difficult it is to land a job on your own.
Also if you're worried about your age, if you go down the route of working up to a sponsorship through an assitant post or similar then you'll probably be looking at more time than with the big ANSPs, even when you consider the time of the application process and then waiting for a course start.
Regardless of what you do though, good luck
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Genuinely heartbroken reading this. I too am in the same position - now 30, rejected once from NATS, and only provider is now Global ATS as ATC training at Resource Training is now defunct. All I here is that Self funding is a waste and I'll never get a job. Too old for Eurocontrol and DFS....
Surely there must be some other opportunities?
Having found my dream job I can't have the boat completely????
Surely there must be some other opportunities?
Having found my dream job I can't have the boat completely????
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Have NATS rejected you three times?
Aslo do the IAA have an age limit? Belgocontrol had an ad out the other day that was floated on this forum and they don't have one.
Aslo do the IAA have an age limit? Belgocontrol had an ad out the other day that was floated on this forum and they don't have one.
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Hi, as I said in my post, it is not a waste of time! The people on here are very negative, if you want it bad enough you should continue along the very difficult path!
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I have found IAA and Belgocontrol, but then there was another thread about the difficulty of getting a job back in the UK if you trained in Europe - head spinning!
Desperate to do this, but it's closed doors at every turn. I've applied to NATS once back in May, but I need to wait until May 2016 before I can apply again.
Desperate to do this, but it's closed doors at every turn. I've applied to NATS once back in May, but I need to wait until May 2016 before I can apply again.
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It can be done
In 2012 SafeSkys , the UK ANSP employed a self-funded Spanish ATCO who held a UK CAA ADI/ADV unvalidated rating. He was in the right place at the right time as they needed an ADV/ADI with APP. SafeSkys funded him through an APP course and a Meteorological Observers Certificate. Since then they have sponsored 3 CAA ADI/ADV ATCOs through an APP course.
You need luck but it is possible.
LadyATCO
You need luck but it is possible.
LadyATCO
Last edited by LadyAtco; 15th Jan 2015 at 15:08. Reason: spelling