anyone else got testing on the 11th of December in Canberra? any good (and not too pricey) places to stay in Canberra close to the CASA offices?

Steve, were you in DTI when that happened?

Wash your mouth out Karo, that's enroute stuff :E

No, the tower stream starts off in TMA, approach and departures.

Silicon, no idea about the selection process for experienced controllers.

Airservices cut back too far on training new controllers and weren't paying attention, so got caught out by an aging work force and quite a number leaving.

As a result controller numbers are tight so it's hard to get released for training in a different area.

Thanks,

Hope I can get the offer.

Why people leaving? Why they provide such chance for controllers around world? There must be some reason.

I have read some file post on ASA website, it looks much more greater than CAAC(China), I think if ASA can fulfil what the post on website, it does not that bad.

I just get confused....

They are leaving because they are retiring. 30 years ago ATC is Australia did a massive recruitment drive and those staff are now starting to retire. Staffing in most groups across the country is below what is required for the long term.

Does australia have an age limit on how old you can be to start atc?

Age Limit
 

Hi Hawaii808,

No age limit, you would be 18+ after finishing high school, but no upper limit. Be advised though, applicants who are in their mid-forties would be pushing it to complete the course, just read the previous posts on this thread.

At 30 you seem to be in a good age bracket. Look at previous posts, look at the age of the posters who have succeeded getting on course. And of course you have to be an Australian citizen.

jcr737

tobz92_ymen – I'm going to the 11th December assessment day. Haven't found anywhere to stay yet and it all seems pretty pricey around where the building is.

I wonder if anyone knows if due to the current staffing levels whether tower controllers have much/any say about where they are posted? I'm looking at doing enroute but if I had the opportunity to stay in Adelaide I'd jump at the chance!

Alatron,
It's pretty much a case of you'll go where you're needed and, at the moment, that seems to be Bankstown or Sydney airports. You won't be sent anywhere quiet, like Tasmania, Hamilton Island, Coffs, or Alice, because you'll never get rated and besides, all the guys coming up for retirement want to finish up at places like that, well, except Alice maybe.
I'm pretty sure the last two or three courses didn't get a say in where they went.

Accomodation
 

Morning Alatron,

Check out the link, Canberra Youth Hostel is $39.00 a night on Dec. 11th. If you just want to get up in the morning & s**t, shower & shave, perfect. It is located within a 5 minute walk of the Airservices building. I noticed that tobz92_ymen wrote that the assessment is at the CASA building?? Thought you would do the assessment at ASA, but who knows what mysterious plans they have:

Wotif.com: Canberra hotels, accommodation, motels, serviced apartments, B&B - Online hotel bookings with instant confirmation - select your hotel at Wotif.com

Or stay at the Airport International Motel at Queanbeyan next door in NSW. $99.00 per night, still cheap by Canberra standards. 7 mins from the airport & 15 mins from beautiful downtown Canberra. No buses though, need to grab a taxi.

jcr 737

Alatron,

Not to contradict Steve too much but, one tower course recently of 3 each got exactly where they wanted... 1 of mine did and from what I recall pretty much at least 1 from each course while I was at the academy got where they preferred.

This being said, you are agreeing to go wherever Airservices prefer when you accept their offer of employment.

There are many hurdles in your way before you have to worry too much about it. Working in Adelaide could be more of a long term plan rather than settting out for it initially,

Good Luck!

Spanks

Just one small correction, you don't have to be an Australian citizen to get in.

I'm not, nor are the other two kiwis on my course ;)

So if you're from over the ditch, you're OK too.

Online Test
 

Hello to all. First post, hopefully of many. I submitted my application roughly 10 days ago and received an email asking me to complete the online assessment 2 days ago.
The deadline for me to complete it by is the 2nd of December.

Just a quick question. How much time should I put aside for this online test? Is there a commonly established time limit (estimate even)?

I'd just like to know so I can organise a quiet time where I can't be distracted.

Thanks in advance, Andrew.

jcr – thanks for the suggestions, I'd seen the hostel but I'm not too keen on shared accom the night before the assessment :) But they also have private doubles for $99 and if it's close by then it might be just the ticket.

The assessment is at the Alan Woods Building which I believe is the airservices hq?

Spanks and Steve – Thanks for the info, even if it's conflicting ;)

Location
 

Saying
"You won't be sent anywhere quiet, like Tasmania, Hamilton Island, Coffs, or Alice, because you'll never get rated and besides, all the guys coming up for retirement want to finish up at places like that, well, except Alice maybe"
is totally wrong.
People have been consistently sent to GAAP and outstation and regional as first posting for over the last 10 years.
And what logic is it that you wouldnt get a rating at a quiet airport?? People have been sent first off to all of those stations recently, and rated at them. They provide a much better experience base than people who go to one place(cap city) and just sit there forever with no varied experience.

Sydney has traditionally received the least number of abinitio's(not including bankstown), but I guess as they are getting really really short there is a chance.
Chances are you will just go where there is a need, be it Alice Springs, Tasmania or North QLD.
Whether or not you get a say in where you go.............the best example is a couple a while ago who said "we dont care where we go, as long as its together"..1 to cairns, 1 to Perth. That is true!

Airservices Australia Psychometric Testing
 

Backing up FlashDacks on this one. Procedural Tower should be any trainees preference if they actually want to become well rounded, fully competent ATCs. You are not under the pump the whole time but you are fed a full range of scenarios and meet and are engaged with real flying people. Apart from the life experience, the professional experience will give you the ability to go wherever you want to go AND GET RATED with relative comfort.

Kiwis
 

Hi Kiwi chick,

Of course, my apologies.:ouch: Our Kiwi cousins are like family, always welcome. Was thinking of people from over the seas and far away.

jcr

not just the Kiwis
 

Come on JCR.. I was sure you knew that I was not a citizen and definitely not a Kiwi! All you need is permanent residency.. or be a Kiwi :ooh:

But then again, I didn't make the cut either... Must be because they were worried I'd distract the male controllers with my good looks and the male pilots with my hot Canadian accent :)