rossbrereton18,

The NATS careers website says (under eligibility): "Be at least 18 at the date of application."

So I'm assuming the answer is no, but you can get your application in on your birthday - although I think you might be doing other things on your 18th...! ;)

Third Stage NATS Interview
 

Hello to everyone, I am a first time poster here on PPRuNe. I just thought I would share my experiences regarding the NATS selection and interview process, specifically the third stage. I have been fortunate enough to have participated, within the last week, in the formal interview and team excercise held at the third stage; I have to admit that I found the process very thorough, especially the interview as mine lasted the best part of 2 hours. As I am still awaiting the results of my third stage assessment, I realise that it may be unwise to go into too much detail at this stage. I am wishing the best of luck to the two other candidates that I met on the day, I am assuming that you may be tracking this thread currently. I look forward to hopefully meeting you again on a future course! Either way, I will post the result of my third stage assessment as soon as I receive it. My fingers remain crossed in the hope that the news will be positive!!

2 hours, woah! Do the other two candidates just sit and wait?
Mines on Friday, good luck!!

Assessment on Feb. 13th in Manchester
 

Hi all,

I'm going to the first assessment day on February 13th in Manchester. I am booked in on the morning slot (9.30-1.30) and am staying the night before in the hotel. Look forward to meeting any others who'll be there as well. Hope the preparation is going okay for the motivation paper!

dunelmitepilot

aewaite,

why do you think!!? 70-80k debt, spiralling global ecomony (downwards I might add) and poor job security and prospects with the new 'Flexi-Scheme' for new pilots.

ATC rules OK over being a pilot at the moment! :ok:

My other half is a pilot and admits that recruitment is poor or non-existent at the moment, but should improve soon (and probably by the time people have finished their frozen ATPL courses).

dunelmitepilot: beware at future stages (especially Stage 2) if you pass the selection tests - there are a few questions about ambitions within aviation in general, are you a planespotter, do you want to become a pilot, etc - I got the impression that they seem to be trying to weed out those who are considering ATC because pilot stuff isn't going very well at the moment.

I'm definitely not trying to dissuade you from your NATS application, but be sure that this is really what you want to do - the interviewers seem to want to see long term enthusiasm and commitment to an ATC career, not just any career in aviation.

Good luck with Stage 1 when it comes around!

Madhouserjd, 100% right!!!!! Still going for PPL though, hence the username!!

Paperclip810-thanks for your advice. I have been told more or less the same thing from a former airline pilot as well. I will certainly bear that in mind should I be fortunate enough to get through the upcoming stage.

dunelmitepilot

Thanks very much for your words of encouragement!!! It's reassuring to hear that the more theoretical aspects of the PPL course may prove useful!

dunelmitepilot

Is it just me, please correct me if I am wrong, but is the way the NATS stage 2 info booklet describes the way Elevators work incorrect? It says:

When the control column is pushed forwards or pulled backwards, the aircraft will descend or climb. The aircraft in diagram 5 with the elevators set this way will pitch the aircraft's nose down and when they are set the other way the nose will pitch up and the aircraft will climb.

The diagram shows the elevators in an upright position - doesn't this mean that the aircraft's nose will pitch up and the tail down, not pitch nose down and tail up?

The way it is explained is correct (I think!) but the diagram is incorrect...is this right?

Many thanks!

CJayne

Is the personality test a definite for anyone that has passed S1?
Do the basically send it out to everyone now?

what can i expect on stage 1 and will i get any information prior to the stage to learn?

CJayne,

I remember seeing that. The diagram is correct (the elevators are in the up position and the arrows correctly indicate that the nose will pitch up), it is the text that is the other way around.

Ghost: Yes - if you are doing it now... be honest

Hi ghostUK

yes (as far as i know )the personality test is done by all who pass the initial testing. if you don't make the cut at that stage, then they don't send you the personalty thing.

presumably you are asking because you are either about to do it, or you are waiting on word on S1? if you haven't already done it, just remember (something i didn't do first time:{) BE 100% HONEST

rossbrereton18, S1 is the most talked about stage on this thread, there is a ton of info if you read the whole thing (takes ages but well worth it for the whole selection process). yes you get a document to learn prior to first stage, think its about 15 pages, will stand you in good stead to learn it exactly. good luck.
shugs

Windneckin...thanks for that!

Just got back from my stage 2 - they told me (and another guy) there and then that we'd both got through! I wasn't expecting such a prompt response!

So I'm back where I was in November 2007, at stage 3. Although I've been there before I was not counting my chickens, so I'm delighted! I'm not going to let them make the same mistake twice though ;) Going to book something well in advance and dedicate the whole month to revising the documents, plane pictures, reading advice, visiting Swanwick again and perhaps a tower as well - I don't want to leave anything to chance now! Good luck to anyone waiting.

Quick question
 

Hello all,

Regarding stage 01, are there many questions on the last 4/5 pages of the information given to all applicants. I am wondering if i need to learn everything A/C, FL, seating capacity, Nots at altitude, airline that uses A/C and common destination?

Thank you

Just a quick heads up for those further down the application process...

Graham Duke's Air Traffic Control is proving somewhat hard to come by at the moment. Ninth edition is basically out of print, and the tenth as far as I can gather has yet to appear. Most major UK booksellers have now sold out (this includes Amazon, Borders, Waterstones and Heffers/Blackwells), and other sources, such RSGB and aviation shops have run out too.

I've spent over a week trying to source the ninth edition, eventually coming up trumps this afternoon when someone put one up on Amazon second hand books - don't wait til the last minute before you try to get a copy....

Hi everyone,

Now I've managed to get through Stage 3, I've got a copy of Graham Duke's book which I don't need for a while (the 9th edition). I'm happy to lend it to a fellow applicant if you're having trouble sourcing it - although Waterstones online are out of stock, I got mine from a local store - their stocks are different and it can be ordered from another store and sent to your local one if necessary.

PM if you want to borrow (as long as you return/replace it at some point in the next 5 months...).

Thanks for the info about this Graham Duke book. I've just managed to find it on amazon (used) and bought it. Hopefully will arrive soon. I still don't know much about it though, I've trawled some of the old posts on it - most people just say it's very useful but not many specifics.

In what ways can it help me for stage 3, since that's my primary concern?

I don't know what everyone else thought but I found that although the Stage 2 booklet closely resembles some of the book, it provides the basic concepts in more detail and some more advanced stuff (and pictures!). And it's short which is a bonus when you find you've got lots of other revision to do (and probably a real job as well)!

For me, when I went to visit Scottish, I felt that I knew a bit more about what was going on and what I was seeing, and therefore learnt a lot more when I was visiting as I didn't need to have the real basics explained.

Don't know what others think...

Hmmmm....in these troubled economic times (drink!:ok:), perhaps one should endeavour to ascertain the location of one's old copy of Duke and flog it on eBay......:E

You read my mind Gonzo :ok:

ManWithNoMouth
 

Check ur PMs!

I managed to get hold of a 4th edition alittle while back... now that we are going from 9th - 10th edition, is my 4th edition still of any use?

I liked the cubes!

I dont suppose anyone that took S1 in London on the 23rd got their result yet?

Update for anyone that did their Stage 3 at CTC on Monday 19th January - I asked via the message centre online when I would hear... I have just received a reply saying by the end of next week! :ugh::ugh::ugh:

Sorry I know I am impatient.... but thought I would post this as I am aware they are snowed under with Stage 1 applications (putting more test days on etc) so it may also affect the time it takes to get back Stage 1 and Stage 2 results as well.

Levi1048


Re: The last pages of Stage 1 booklet. I did my stage one tests last Monday and there were questions on both the Boeing and the Airbus so am afraid it's best to learn them as you don't wanna be caught out!

PDF,

Sorry to hear about the wait - I did mine on the same day but in Manchester and found out on the Thursday of the same week!

Hope they get back to you soon.....

Jen

Does anyone know a link to a website with some sample tests on, preferably basic checking?
So far I've only found this one:
http://www.psychometric-success.com/...20Test%201.pdf


Thanks

Atco Training
 

I have a selection interview for the ATCO trainee programme and have been reading up about the training at Bournemouth.
I am wondering how it is decided who will be aerodrome trained and who will be area trained. And also how do they decide where people will be placed permanently.

David

Hi David,

There's a load of info about this (it was quite recently discussed) on the NATS Interview thread, so you might want to ask there too.

I've just passed the final stage interview, and have been asked my *preference* for aerodrome/area but it seems to be decided based on everyone else's preferences and how many people they need for each at the time the college course starts.

As for final placement, they seem to ask you again what you'd prefer, but ultimately, business need comes first (you'll hear this a lot!)...

When is your Stage 3?

Stage 3........i wish.
Just as the selection bit. (first aptitude test)

When is your college intake?

As a famous prooner once said 'the search function saves lives.'

Shhhh, he'll come back if he hears you! But then I guess he is famous now after starring in the recent Pulse! :}

Stage 1 - Aircraft Details
 

Just to echo a previous poster, I would recommend getting as much of the aircraft details section (FL, speed, typical route etc) into your head as possible.
You can be questioned on it at any stage (although stage 1 more likely), and ultimately, if you get to the college, you'll likely need most of the details anyway.

Hello Everyone,

I did my Stage 1 recently but was a bit annoyed about something that happened...

We were split into four groups and our group was the last of the day to talk to the ATCO and watch the NATS film. During the film I noticed that there were about three or four answers to questions in the motivation paper we had just sat. Some of them were pretty blatent aswell and illustrated by diagrams etc.
There were two groups on the day who saw the film and then sat the motivation paper straight away, and obviously this is really unfair to those of us who saw it after.

Luckily I did know the answers that came up in the film, but I'm sure there were a few people there who didn't. I met one girl who hadn't read the preparation materials at all and then she sat there on the day and got told some of the answers by NATS! Surely if they want to weed out the people who don't put the effort in then this is not a great thing to do!

Has anyone had a similar experience or was it just on the day we did it?

As far as I can tell final postings are decided using lumps of cheese, a maze and blind mice.

The few people who didn't know the answers obviously hadn't read the booklet then.

You study the book, you know the answers. Then it doesn't matter if you've seen the film or not.