Thank you all. My my, this thread has taken an entirely different path to my initial intentions!

Don't worry, I will be finishing my teaching degree; not because I only have only 3 months left, but because additionally it will stand me in an extremely good stead both within NATS, if I'm successful or in other careers if I do not qualify, especially as I plan to do my best to become an OJTI.

Believe me, I am extremely commited to being an ATCO. Aviation has been my life since I was very young indeed and a career in aviation has always been my goal. However, having as many strings to your bow as possible makes a more rounded individual - or that is what the NATS interviewers told me when they were impressed with the maturity with which I made my decisions. Doing the teaching degree has not only increased career security but, as has been aforementioned in this thread, has taught me many skills which will no doubt prove useful in my career as an ATCO, which I would not have possessed had I not started the degree.

I understand, in my initial thread I said that my degree seemed pointless- but that is only because I am itching to start training and do something I know I will truly love. You cannot even begin to understand Nic Nac how long and hard I have spent thinking about this; arguing the points for continuing and finishing my degree when every part of my body wants to start as an ATCO, but then common sense kicks in and always sways me round to this way of thinking...I can start in June as an ATCO with a degree, or start 3 months earlier, without. For the sake of 3 months, I don't think it's a sensible idea to throw away something I have worked hard for over the last 3 and 3/4 years.

Please do not think that this shows a lack of commitment. I am whole-heartedly and entirely commited to becoming the best ATCO I could possibly be.

I recommend all my students obtain a copy of
Michael S. Nolan's "Fundamentals of Air Traffic Control"
(Brooks/Cole Pub. Co - Publication date Aug 2004 - 4th edition)
ISBN - 10: 0534393888 / ISBN -13: 97805349885

It may be 'FAA/american' but the basics are extremely well presented.

Regards,
CRC

Did you get your degree, did you go to NATS?
Come on, what's the score. I need to know.

Well, there is a Ricky Brown currently doing the TATC-Tango at Hurn, so I guess he decided to stick with the ATCO thing. He's rattling through the Airports course at the moment, so will be pitching up at either an aerodrome under the LTMA in May or elsewhere in UK around September.

Go Ricky:ok:

Hope you got the teaching degree. We could do with a few more good teachers in the company.

There is not a lot you can do with an ATCO qualification and no medical, on the other hand there's a lot you can do with a teaching degree and no medical.

Also you don't know if you still want to be an ATCO in 10 years time.
I loved my teaching job when I started, and that was only 4 years ago.

Ricky if you have a PPL you shouldn't worry too much about CAP493, or pre college studies... In my many visits at the NATS units I always mentioned I had a PPL, to save them from explaining basic things but they still thought I wouldn't know how to read a METAR etc etc... I know some PPLs have shocking R/T because they never get away from their comfort areas, but if you get frequently in and out of CAS the whole R/T subject shouldn't be too much of a problem.