Visits to towers/control centres
 

Evening all,

I have my NATS interview at the end of the month and as part of my preperation I wanted to visit a tower or control centre - I asumed that this wouldn't be a problem (especially as I've already got through the first part of the application process) but the response that I got from NATS was that this wasn't possible.

Does anyone know of any friendly controllers at EGBB or BE (my local airports) that can help arrange a visit?

Cheers,
Matt

Re: Visits to towers/control centres
 

If you want a visit to EGBB PM me and i'll give you the contact to call.
;)

Re: Visits to towers/control centres
 

Who at NATS did you contact - out of interest?

Re: Visits to towers/control centres
 

As a novice PPl I have been lucky enough to visit both military and civil towers and this post is to offer my observation of how different each works. As an example, I was surprised that they both didn't use the same 'standard' system for aircraft following (the coloured slips etc.).

Re: Visits to towers/control centres
 

I popped into LHR tower a month or so ago and was surprised that they still used the strips, although now mixed with some technology that I thought was pretty funky, a touch screen TV for stopbars n taxi lights?
great bunch of people who really made us feel welcome, so this is a belated thanks!
d2K

Re: Visits to towers/control centres
 

Not going to name names - it was someone in HR.

I suspect I got a generic response, something along the lines of "Go away"

Re: Visits to towers/control centres
 

Okay. HR have given you duff information. :mad:
All NATS units will let potential ATCOs have a visit. Contact the unit direct by letter requesting a visit to find out about ATC as a career.
PM me which unit and I'll give you the name to write to.

Re: Visits to towers/control centres
 

Mattcarus - If you're reasonably local to BB & BE, then NX is probably not a million miles away from you either, and they are also happy to support visits by prospective NATS employees (despite not being a NATS Unit).
PM me if you want another contact for there.
Good Luck with the interview.:ok:
RC

arranging control centre visits
 

not really sure where to start, would i need to contact them directly or is there some official route i must take in order to visit a control centre, as i imagine they wont let just anybody in.

Re: arranging control centre visits
 

yep youre right - it may help if you say which type of centre you woudl like to visit ie an area centre or tma.

then hopefully someone from those centres may see this thread and help you out.

Re: arranging control centre visits
 

well, there's not many centres to choose from, so i wouldn't worry too much about specifics....!!!!!