How long to validate ???
 

Hi guys and gals, I was wondering how long it takes to fully validate a controller (well, I know of my case, but I'd like to know for others around the world...).
Could you guys post how long it took you to validate along with the speciality (enroute, TCU (approach) or TWR and the city or the geographical area (to have an idea of the volume and complexity of traffic)
I know ASA is starting courses with experienced controllers, how long do you expect from day 1 in the academy up to full validation?
And if you're still in touch with your first classmate, how many of you are still in the business?

As regards NATS units, for a stand-alone Tower such as Luton, the initial unit training ("Transitional Training") lasts just over two weeks - classroom lectures followed by simulator training and including a written progress test at the end of the Transitional Training phase.
On-the-job training (OJT) then lasts for around 12 to 14 weeks. Obviously, for a controller who is not an ab-initio trainee i.e. has come from another unit, depending on that unit's task, OJT at Luton could last for around 8 weeks.
For units having an approach radar function on-site (e.g. Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Edinburgh), the process repeats itself (some trainees instead, start on radar and then move on to ADI training).
For the area units, the process of OJT is significantly longer as sector training and endorsement is progressive.
So too is the OJT at somewhere like Heathrow and Gatwick towers - for obvious reasons.
Training Times in each unit's Approved Unit Training Plan are specified as a number of hours (minimum, target and permitted maximum).

It's almost impossible to provide an accurate estimate as everything depends on the trainee, particularly his/her previous experience. On busy positions I've seen trainees take anything from a couple of months to over a year.

Started at college March 1998.

Started at Heathrow Tower April 1999

Validated July 2000.

Started College March 2003 (completing Aerodrome, Radar Skills and Area courses)

Posted Swanwick (LACC) March 2005

Commenced SVC (Simulator) August 2005

Validated Clacton sector November 2006

Started College Oct 98

Started Heathrow Oct 99

Started Validation training March 00

Validated March 01

<<Started at Heathrow Tower April 1999
Validated July 2000>>

Jeeezz Gonzo - what took you so long? Took me six weeks to validate Heathrow Tower! I know, I know..... they were all airships in those days!

Seriously, what possibly helped me was previous experience plus my intimate knowledge of London Airport through my days as an avid aircraft spotter there.

For much of that I was number 2 trainee, so often I would just be sitting in listening to non-OJTIs instead of being trained.

Oh, and it was :mad: hard, and I'm not very good! :}

Started College Jan 2003 ADC, Radar Skills, Area

Posted TC May 2005

Completed TVC Dec 2005

Validated Oct 2006

So yes I spent 2 years 5 months at college, some of which was company enforced holding, some of which was me screwing it up and coming back for an encore...

College March 04

Posted to TC April 05

Started training KK Approach Jun 06

Validated KK Approach Feb 07

All in, just under 3 yrs.

Story of my life too