Aspiring 2B-ATC
 

Hi Experienced guys!
Would anyone suggest the area(s) that one needs to prepare for the ATC telephone interview! Is there a panel interview?
Appreciate your inputs Mate!
Cheers

Le Pingouin, Plazbot, Duane, et al - thanks for your comments. Some very useful points made there.

I'll be sure to listen to the 'old farts' if I get the chance. They usually know what they're talking about & what actually works in the real world.

The shift work thing is another good point. I realise this is a given with enroute ATC (which is what I'm aiming for) but you still have your annual leave to look forward to right? Which is some consolation.

How many weeks do you get per year?
Do they give you any extra for missing out on public holidays?

Cheers,

SDC :}

4 weeks p.a leave
+1 week for working 7 or more Sundays
+1 week for 24 hour shiftwork
=6 weeks p.a (if you can get it approved....)

p/h rostered on = 1.97 x hourly rate + 1 day (or toil)
p/h rostered off = 1 day pay or 1 day toil.

Thanks Hempy.

Double time on p/h sounds pretty good.
And 6 weeks annual leave at max - better than my current job, but that's not too hard to beat.

I'd assume your annual leave accrues y/y?
Do they let you cash it in if you don't take it?

And long term service is pretty much standard 3 months / 10yrs?


SDC :8

The policy these days is that the leave is there for a reason so needs to be taken, although you can accrue up to two years if you have a particular reason. Many of us have at least that much due to lack of opportunity to take it, although in my group at least this is slowly being addressed.

Leave planning is done 18 months in advance so if your best mate wants to involve you in his wedding extravaganza he'd better give you plenty of notice! Leave slots over popular periods such as Christmas and school holidays are tracked so if you got Christmas last year you probably won't be getting it again for a couple of years.

You won't get the extra week for 24hr shiftwork until you have sufficient ratings to actually do doggos (night shifts) so it might take a couple of years.

Long service leave is the standard 3 months/10 years. Good luck in being able to take any....

I get the impression things are slightly busy...
Sounds like a pretty tough gig, but I still want in.

Just have to bide my time until April & give it my best shot on the assessment day.

Your best shot is all you can give. If you get through the selection process and on a course you still only have a roughly 50% chance of gaining a rating. That's the long term stats, plus or minus, but if you don't have a crack you'll never know.

Many days are fairly mundane with everything on the rails but occasionally you get a day with, say, extensive bad weather around (like this afternoon) and you well and truly more than earn your pay. All you can do is keep plugging away, keeping them apart and in some semblance of order. It might not be pretty but everyone gets where they're going in the end. It's also very satisfying because you've worked bloody hard, done the best job you could and hopefully made it a bit easier for the next controller down the line.

Not to argue the point too hard but a 50% chance of rating is extremely harsh. (I know you are commenting on stats but I am commenting on reality of the job) Having worked 'elsewhere' OZ ATC is far from difficult. The complexities come from knowing the rules inside and out and being able to recite them on command.

If I were advising a brand new OZ ATC I would have them committing to memory every part of MATS and every Local Instruction. Technicalities like fine speed control to close gaps, climb indicated air speed to create a vertical scenario, headings to avoid conflict areas caused by congestion, bashing in 20 in a row in 8nm trail, you know, Air Traffic Control, are all a waste of your effort.

That's what I figure - I've got to have a crack at it.
Pretty much like to the lotto in that you've got to be in it to win it.
The only difference being that I won't be walking away with $20M if I do win!
But I'd be just as happy with a course offer at the moment.

Plazbot, can I ask what the MATS reference is?
Wouldn't mind having a squiz at it.

Coming onboard
 

Greetings. It's been a while but since things may be coming up, I was wondering if anyone can give me an early start in explaining some things.

I am currently slated for a March 31 start date (YSSY). I am an ATCO from the USA. Right now, I am just waiting to hear back from the immigration. I actually even paid for my CASA medical to try to keep the time frame possible. I do have a slight medical past so I am hoping it does not give me a problem. I have yet to start the onboard process with ASA but was told that is done after all the immigration and medicals are approved.

In pre-planning, can anyone offer a more detailed account of what I can expect? I was told they accommodate housing for academy training in Melbourne. And all this planned for by the onboard team (which I am sure I will hear from soon). I am concerned with how do we get from the accommodations to the training site? I will be in Australia for only about a week before the start of the training and I doubt I can get a car in that time. Also, does anyone know what happens after training and returning to Sydney (i.e. can we pre-book accommodations for a month til I can find a place)?

Oh, what is "toil" listed above regarding annual leave? Is that like an acronym for TIME OFF IN LIEU? If anyone has questions about ATC stuff in the USA, please ask.

Thanks for all your help in the past.

Best regards!

I may be wrong, but I believe Airservices provide you with a hire car to get from the accommodation to the Academy. Unless things have changed, the accommodation is at Quest Flemington, right next door to the home of the Melbourne Cup.

Clear2Land
 

I think I am your course instructor. Other students who have been staying at Quest sometimes ask to move. They go for Punt Hill apartments in North Essendon. It is well placed near shops, restaurants and transport. I live about 1 km away so if you are initially stuck getting to work, I can probably give you a ride.

Delay Assessment Centre?
 

Hi everyone,

I recently became interested in becoming an ATC and decided to apply to see where it goes.

I've been through the online testing and phone interview and have been invited to the assessment centre in Melbourne on March 14.

My question is: would it be possible to delay my assessment centre visit - does anyone know if/when the next one is scheduled?

Cheers

andyinstkilda
 

If you want to be a controller, don't ask here. Take control and ask Airservices directly.

I thought it might harm my chances if I ask them - I would prefer to know whether it's possible/whether anyone has done this in the past.

Assessment days are rostered months ahead. You might be able to fly interstate for another date.

Thank you! I hopefully will know more soon. I am sure I will have plenty of questions when I start freaking out -- LOL! :eek: (being silly here) :)

Melbourne 2014 course dates?
 

Does anyone know which dates the next course(s) in Melbourne are scheduled for - I have an international trip booked in June (non-refundable) and was hoping the next course(s) were scheduled to start after that...

Experienced Regional Tower Controller tests
 

Hi,

Are there any UK applicants applying for the above ??

I have had technical problems with the supervised assessments and my results have either not been logged or I was unable to complete the tests.

Has anyone else either done them without problem or had similar problems.

Hi seasaw, I'm still in anticipation of an appointment for the tests (I'm not from the UK by the way). WHat was it like compared to the online ones?

Hi kpnagidi,

Verification was pretty much the same as online tests pre interview.

Good luck!!!

Thanks a lot,you too!

Start date delayed
 

Hey all. I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for keeping in touch. And I hope you don't stop because it appears my visa and CASA are dragging so I will not do the March 31 start date. I heard the next class is in July 2014 and that there were others that had to be postponed.

Anyone else getting delayed? Well, July is my birthday month so maybe I will get an awesome present. :)

Clear2land78 I really wish it's only a temporary thing your CASA mixup, keep your chin up, I hope to get an equivalent present before the 12th of July too!!!

I'm sorry to break into this topic but may I ask if there's an age limit to start the ATC training program?
And what if you don't have some Degree but many many years in aviation maintenance?

Thanks! GDU

Few Questions...
 

Hey guys, just in the process of applying and have a few questions.

Can someone said some light on what its actually like at the academy (I am sure it probably discusses it at some point but I don't really want to go all the way back through the thread to find it).
-What are the working hours? 9am-5pm Monday to Friday?
-Is there ever weekend work/'learning' required (at the centre, I have read work at home is often required)?
-How is it taught? For example, I am used to university with a lecture and then tutorials. Obviously I realise its not the same, just wondering what to expect if I were to make it. I am aware there is simulator training but that comes later, so more directed at what at the start.
-What is the uniform? Shirt and tie? Or is there an Airservices Uniform?
-In terms of final placement, I realise there is the whole 'we will try and accommodate your request but no guarantees' line. Realistically, what are my chances of ending up in Tamworth/Coffs etc as opposed to a capital city (this is for Tower obviously)
-The Learning Academy... is it just in with the control tower/enroute centre at Tullamarine?

Hey All, sorry, haven't read the whole thread yet, but just wanted to query something.
At present dates shown for application are
Advertised:
28 Jun 2013 Aus. Eastern Standard Time
Closing date:
30 Apr 2014 11:55pm Aus. Eastern Standard Time

But I read that people are applying at all times of the year. Is this date just the date at which they'll put up a new add for the next 12 months?
Or as these dates show, do they often shut down from accepting applications for a few months in between?

True
 

-What are the working hours? 9am-5pm Monday to Friday?
Usually 0700 to 1500 although there may be later starts/finishes depending on number of courses and simulator availability.

-Is there ever weekend work/'learning' required (at the centre, I have read work at home is often required)?
Weekend work, no. Homework yes. For example, you need to know your separation standards thoroughly. There is no time to look them up in the simulator.

-How is it taught? For example, I am used to university with a lecture and then tutorials. Obviously I realise its not the same, just wondering what to expect if I were to make it. I am aware there is simulator training but that comes later, so more directed at what at the start.
Training is intense and doesn't let up. Subjects are varied. Human factors, navigation, air law, principles of flight, instrument charts, aerodrome surfaces and markings, radio and radar plus a lot more. That's before you get near the simulators where you really work. Classes are usually one instructor with a group. Lots of note taking. It is not a lecture environment. You can always ask a question and encouraged to do so.

-What is the uniform? Shirt and tie? Or is there an Airservices Uniform?
No uniform, just neat casual although many trainees wear the Airservices T shirts.

-In terms of final placement, I realise there is the whole 'we will try and accommodate your request but no guarantees' line. Realistically, what are my chances of ending up in Tamworth/Coffs etc as opposed to a capital city (this is for Tower obviously)
You have answered your own question.

-The Learning Academy... is it just in with the control tower/enroute centre at Tullamarine? Separate building but very close.

Anyone else get an invite for online testing within the last week for the experienced TWR positions advertised in October last year? Initially I got an email in Dec saying: "you have not been shortlisted for the regional TWR positions but we will circulate your CV to managers for other positions that may suit your skills better", then I got an email on Monday this week saying your application has been progressed and to do the online testing.

GDU, there's no age limit and you need Year 12 or a pilots licence. Check out the Airservices webite for specific details.

There is no age discrimination (positive or negative) so you have to sink or swim on your own merits and the learning is fast paced and long. There is limited scope to cater for those who are a bit slow on the uptake - something that comes to all of us as we age. At 45 you are mentally slower and less flexible than you at 25.

That said, your performance is measured against a standard so you either meet it or not. You at 45 might well be more capable than the next applicant at 25, so your age itself is not a show stopper. It just makes it harder.

Hey. So I was told that immigration has everything they need. I am keeping my fingers crossed (I have a medical thing I am working with). CASA advised me all looks good but I have to do the eye exam and the closest person who can do it is in London (I live in San Francisco). I am hoping I can get this worked out. Will keep you posted.

Hi everybody,

I have recently applied for the ATC course specifying a preference for En Route in Melbourne. I have a few questions which I am unable to find answers for either here or elsewhere;
After an application how long does it take to receive a reply email either positive or negative on average?
Is there a shortage of En Route controllers specifically? Or are shortages only being experienced in towers / aerodromes?
Are there any recommendations for reading I can do in the meantime to cover some of the theory learnt during the early part of the course?

Thanks in advance.

Hi EML,


I applied last year and just missed out so waiting to re-apply next week.


When I applied, I waited about a month before I got a response from my initial application to do an online test. When I did the online test, had an email the next morning to book a phone interview and at the end of the interview was told I was successful and would be contacted for an assessment which happened a couple of months later. If you're successful at the assessment day then nobody really knows, but back then about a couple of weeks seemed to be the go.


From what I understand, whether you pic En-Rout or Tower doesn't seem to concern them so much. I guess it would depend on their operational requirements and possibly your performance during the assessment may demonstrate you have greater aptitude for one over the other which they might consider.


I don't know much about what's covered in the course, but anything on weather and air law would be a good start. Maybe Bob Tait CPL Weather which pilots study and the AIP and CAR for law.

First callsign error?:)

Any news on the starting date
 

Any idea when the course is starting ?
Cheers

Hey SenZubEanS,
You are correct. Applications will close at the end of April.
It is unsure when they will open again, but it wont be in the short term. There are a few changes being flagged in the recruitment process, and until they are finalised, it wont open again.
So, for all of those people thinking about applying, my suggestion is to not miss the deadline!

Anyone in July tower class in Melbourne?
 

Hey all. Just got word that I now have a work visa (woohoo!!). I am sending CASA the rest of the information they have requested. I am hoping immigration is harder than CASA. LOL. That being said, it appears I will be in the yet-to-be-determined July tower class in Melbourne.

I have heard a few things about how arranging housing is set up. Haven't heard much in the sense of transportation from the complex to work. Some said carpooling was popular. Can I start bribing anyone now? :)

Anyways, if anyone is looking at July or going to Sydney, please hit me up. I only know like 4 people in Australia and one of those is on here. LOL.

;)

I think you're put up in a hotel for the first couple of weeks but after that you'll need to find your own accommodation. Public transport isn't an option and the roads around the airport aren't exactly cycle friendly, so you'll need a car or catch a ride with a course-mate.

I had the understanding that housing while in training is covered. Upon location to Sydney, they provide temporary housing til I find a place. As far as a car goes, I'd like to hold off as much as possible. I don't know the rules about being allowed to own one, etc. Hope to catch some of you there! If anyone needs a friend (or mate as you call em), I'm game. I am kinda of a neat freak though. LOL.

July 2014 Tower Course
 

It appears I will be in the July 2014 Tower Course in Melbourne. If anyone will be there too, please feel free to chat me up.