Training to be an ATCO advice needed
 

Just wondered if any experienced controllers out there know of alternatives to becoming an ATCO without going through the standard NATS route?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated,feel free to PM me,

Many thanks in advance

If you're stuck there is always the military option.

Great travel opportunities if you like sand and penguins !!

Self sponsorship is always an option. You need a lot of good luck at the end, and a VERY understanding bank manager! It's a tough way to do it.

Alternatively, apply to become an air traffic assistant, prove how brilliant and motivated you are, and they may just pay for your training for you....

Good luck!

The Military Option
 

Yea but if you join the military - except the travel ops - don't expect NATS to recognise your qualifications (well at least anytime soon).

you'll still need to go through a NATS course to get your civilian ratings!


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Some regional airports pick out assistants (ATSAs) from the unit to undergo ATCO ADC / APR training.

It could be worth trying that route :)

Check ur PM's , my friend!!

Cheers

Bob!

Thanks for the replies,

Does anyone have the contact details of Newcastle airport I have heard that they hire ATSA's who they then put forward for ATCO training?Or of any other airfields who operate this recruitment policy?

Many thanks,

Forevertraining

Don't have the number to hand but just ring the airport and ask for Manager ATC. Potentially all non-NATS airfields will do this - Leeds, Tees-Side, East Midlands, Bristol to name a few - but you need to go some to persuade an airfield to fund you to £18K plus. The competition can be intense. Many are content to pick up aerodrome only people leaving NATS and then fund them onto APR after they have proved themselves.

Good luck.

An option soon to end I understand.