ATC in the RAF
 

Hi all

I was just wondering how many of you have (or are) been an ATC in the RAF. Im keen to join the RAF and im also keen to be an atc so i thought, why not be part of both.

I have read a what life can be like as a normal atc but ive never heard the point of view from an RAF ATC.

Just wondering how much is different and what yours views are.

Thanks

ATC is ATC - the principle of not letting the flying things bang together is pretty much the same whether you are civil or military - it's just that sometimes we achieve that principle via slightly different methods. Oh yes, there was something else - in the RAF you may get the chance to do ATC whilst being shot at.

You have two choices.
Civvy Controlling- Same old blah every day. Aeroplane takes off, climbs, flies down airway, descends, goes around a hold and lands. Multiply by 150 times and that is your day. You will be well rewarded in you bank account for this task.
Military Controlling- Delete the airway bit,fannying around in the hold and the large wadge. Insert aircraft that whizz around at 600-700mph, air to air refuelling, supersonic runs, tactical controlling, getting out of/in the way of all the civvie controllers airliners, being shot at, living in a tent, being cold/hot and hungry,sand, teamwork,cruel banter, loyalty and dedication to Queen and Country for little recognition and there is your difference.
Good luck with you chosen career path my friend.

....not quite how I remember Benson and Odiham mate.

Either way enjoy what you do - both have their merits (though when I was in there was a remnant of an empire.....!!:))

Air to air refuelling is surely the province of those Fighter 'Control' chappies; you know the ones who always try to get aircraft together instead of keeping them apart, and who need a team of 3 or 4 people to handle one aircraft.

<<Multiply by 150 times and that is your day. >>

All I can say, my son, is that you must have worked somewhere VERY quiet!!

Sorry, chevvron, but RAF controllers do air to air refuelling (one controller per AARA).

Oh well, used to be so when I was at JATCRU, but that was over 30 years ago!
Do ficons still need 3 or 4 people to get two aircraft in the same bit of sky? I can do it by myself no problem.

All of the above and more!
 

Pretty much all been said but don't forget the opportunities for Adventurous Training and the like. Despite what people might say or think they are still there. If you are prepared to seek out these opportunities you can expect duty status for skiing, gliding, parachuting etc. and most sports.
This year I went from ski slope to sand storm within a few weeks. You can't beat the variety of jobs available and I personally appreciate the extra duties that give you something different to do other than controlling. If you join as an officer you will be expected to lead others and develop you management skills from an early stage. RAF (war fighter is the buzz word) first, controller second.
Go for the RAF option if you want the "service life" with ATC on top. You can always think about going civvy later in life.
As for the air to air refuelling I ended up learning the task, normally left to Area Radar types, whilst controlling in a well known location in southern Iraq. A short notice tactical towline was set up, the jets needed "snappy vectors" and I had to get the "chicks" to the "mother" very quickly as they were fuel critical. Luckily I had some ex Area types around to advise me. A great feeling to know you have helped out in real time operation. Was also de-conflicting with other jets in the area and civil aircraft. Quite a busy period but very rewarding.
Best of luck :ok:

Ahem....

Nobody's mentioned it yet, but the Dark Blue also have ATC'ers.

All the fun of the light blue, but with a rolling horizon....not only on the odd run ashore.

(you can even live in a broom cupboard in Devonport Dockyard!...)

Nothing wrong with military ATC, light or dark blue. If that's what you'd like, go for it and enjoy to the full.

BEX

I went the military route and haven't regretted a minute. That said, the two career paths are very different. PM me if you want a visit.

Ploddalong,

Check your PM's

TFB
:ok:

Ploddalong,

check your pms, but just as an aside, take everything you read on here with a pinch of salt. The only way to really compare it is by having done both, which some of us have. A Good Headin obviously does not have a clue what he is talking about regarding civvy controlling. (That said, some people, the likes of London Mil, tend to give an unbiased account and do not try to claim that one is better or worse than the other). On other words, don't listen to the bitchin' that goes on, a lot of it is tongue in cheek. Sarcasm has a big part to play in ATC, and an even bigger one in the forces.


Chevvron,

It's not only FCs that do AAR, either in theatre or at home.

and as Bexil says, it's not just the guys in the RAC uniforms that do mil ATC... The RN does it as well, and the uniform is better!!

The RAF was after all, formed on the 1st April 1918... surely the longest running April fools joke in history?!

Digging a scrape and waiting for incoming!!

You never know, those civvy guys at West Drayton might get shot at from time to time.......dangerous neighbourhood you know.
Hey, we've got all of that. :} 'cept the sand of course.

I take it from that then Gonzo, that you are not going to buy one of the 'luxury' apartments that are springing up on the old RAF site?!!

Ploddalong, if you want to wear jeans and a t-shirt, drive a flash car, have loads of jewelery and pretty women on your arm, then join NATS. Only problem is that you will after a few years crave some variety, but think of the money!

If you want to wear badly cut denim, then join the crabs although as you will not be a member of the two winged master race, you will be a second class citizen. Still travel is good...Anglesey, Scotland, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Falklands, if you are lucky LACC, sat alongside young men with fast cars and women hanging off their arm, or if you are really lucky, Cyprus. Lots of variety, good career prospects (see NATS above) and you could end up doing Area Radar, which will be the most exciting and frightening controlling you will ever do. Plus getting shot at in west London.

Alternatively, you could join the Dark Blue. A small but elegant band with cheap cars and women/men of low voltage hanging off their arms. You could visit all the places above and more. Indeed if you are under 25, you could end up as one of the controllers on HMS Queen Elizabethhttp://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...ovl-image1.jpg sailing all around the world, a cocktail party in every port, a fine uniform and a large bar bill.

Whatever you choose, you will have made the right decision. I have seen all shades of ATC and they all offer great opportunity, cameraderie and job satisfaction. Remember, it will be two hours of boredom, followed by 2 minutes of utter terror.

:ok: :ok: :ok:

Anotherthing,

Heck no, I'd imagine they're far too expensive for me! :}

Thanks to everyone who replied, and to those that PM'd me. Seems it doesnt matter what i decide to do, ill enjoy it either way.

Anyway ive got my Filter interview for the RAF on the 6th of December so ill see how that turns out. If i dont make it, ill try and apply for NATS. Not too sure the RN is for me.

:ok:

Ploddalong, one top tip for your interview - be yourself! They (whether it is the RAF or NATS) will decide whether you are suited towards their company/organisation. If you try to BS either of them you will be rumbled.

Good luck and look forward to seeing you in an extremely fetching shade of blue.;)

London Mil,

you said:read Ploddalongs last post properly - he states :E