Becoming an ATCO other than through NATS?
 

Hi,

I've been looking into training to become an atc controller and going through NATS seems to be the only route. Is this right?

So, where do the controller's come from at airports that aren't NATS? What would be my route to working at one of these? I'm asking because a couple of the airports near to me don't have their ATC provided by NATS.

Also, with regards to area controllers, are there only the NATS 4 main centres or are there more centres that are controlled by someone else?

Many thanks!!

There are some UK region airports which employ ATC staff who are non-NATS. Only NATS staff are employed at ATC centres.

Some of the non-NATS ATC units pay for their own staff to be trained and some controllers pay for their own training course then find work. Only thing to do is to make contact with the Senior Controller/ Manager at whichever airport interests you and find out what are the possibilities.

Having worked both non-NATS and NATS I would say that non-NATS is a non-starter.... but I am certain that many will disagree.

Air 22,

Just to repeat what HD said!!

Try doing a search in this forum on ATC colleges as this subject regularly comes up. There are a couple of colleges in the UK that train the non-NATS controllers. You can either pay for the courses yourself (last I heard about £25k for Aerodrome training and a similar amount for Approach Radar), or persuade the company that provides the service at your local airport to sponsor you. All Area Controllers in the UK work for NATS; in either Swanwick, Manchester (closing) or Prestwick.

Regards, ADIS

Hi,

I've managed to find some other threads on the subject.

Thanks very much for your help!

Air22

There are 2 privately funded Colleges approved by the CAA that provide ATC training in the UK- they are BAE Cwmbran in Wales and ASTAC in Gloucestershire. You can get their contact details off the CAA website.

The course fees ADIS5000 has quoted sound about right from my research- approx. 25K for and ADI or APP course inc. VAT. As Heathrow Director mentions, if you are considering the self sponsoring route it is very advisable to have made contact with the SATCO / Manager at your Regional ATC Unit to discuss your aspirations before getting your cheque book out as it could end up being a waste of rather a lot of money!! :ok:

Training Courses
 

I have just passed through the BAe College at Cwmbran and an ex-mil controller so feel qualified to speak on this subject.

The costings mentioned are about right and self-sponsorship would be a logical route, but only with some concrete job offers in your back pocket. Failing that, you would need to take a risk and start training, possibly with no reward.

The good news is that there are plenty of slots for qualified student ATCOs once qualified in a particular discipline. However, SATCOs would normally expect an ab-initio student to show some commitment and self-sponsor the first controlling qualification. Some SATCOs might even insist that you train on the job for your operational rating without pay after your completion of ATCO college. These tactics are to de-risk their employment of you as an unknown quantity. So, be prepared to negotiate hard when the time comes and you might need a quite a wedge to see you all the way through. Of course, the wider you are prepared to travel for your new job the more choice you will have regarding the schemes you can negotiate for employment. My advice would be to know the demand at each airport before wading in.

The ATCO courses at BAe and ASTAC are extremely testing even with a sound prior knowledge of aviation and the appropriate aptitude. These courses are very intense and assimilation of the controlling task has to happen rapidly as there is a series of accumulated summative exercises as one progresses. (Fail a summative phase and it is all over - I am afraid) My advice would be to determine that you have the necessary aptitude at the earliest stage. This can be tested at ASTAC or the BAe College for a fee (Around £250 - I think, but check). Also, before starting training you should ensure you are medically fit because you will be wasting your time and money if you are not. Initial medicals are carried out at the CAA Safety Regulation Group HQ in Gatwick South. (Look at the CAA website for details).

The normal route (dictated by general demand for ab-initio controllers) is to complete a compulsory basic theory course before going on to complete aerodrome (ADV/ADI) and then the approach courses (APP and APS). These latter 2 courses would probably follow a few years after your ADV/ADI when you have consolidated as an ADV/ADI ATCO. Normally, the APP and APS courses would be sponsored by your airport employer. As to whether ASTAC or BAe is best. My impression is that they offer similar results and, often the instructors are contracted to both colleges. So, it should really boil down to cost (ATC tuition + food and accommodation). Both colleges will help you out with costings.

Being an ATCO is a great career, but it ain't a walk in the park and the training will be character-building. Success will, though, provide you with a great sense of achievement and, in the main, the best bunch of workmates you could wish for. All the best. I wish you well on your quest.

Bennyclub,
Well done on posting information in a factual, non dramatic and practical fashion which should be useful to all wannabes. I hope they heed your advice!

Self Sponsorship
 

My College housemate BennyClub speaks with authority on the subject of ATCO training outside NATS. Having just done the APS (alongside Benny) as a first civil controller course at Cwmbran you can expect a steep but generally acceptable learning curve. The only suggestion that I would add to Clubhead's spiele is that you may want to speak to any listening SATCO's on the possibilty of recruitment as an ATC Assistant doing the job as a 2-3 year lead in to becoming an ATCO. You will gain invaluable experience as an assistant and later could potentially be sponsored through a controller's course whilst being paid. There are many different routes to wearing a civil controller's headset. Some are expensive, my Basic and APS course set me back £20K, and others are potentially free, i.e. ATC Assistant first followed by controller training later. Nothing is cast iron nor guaranteed so you pay or not pays your money etc....Good luck.

One other route to becoming a civilian ATCO other than through NATS training may be to obtain a FISO licence first.

Shouldn't that be a BSO now?!!!!!

No, FISO remains a FISO, just as an ATCO remains and ATCO.

Back to what Classicwings said, there's nothing wrong with starting out as a FISO, but there's a world of difference between FISO and ATCO.

If you cant get NATS training, I strongly suggest the ATSA route at a regional airport, during which time you could easily fit in the training for a FISO licence on the side at an appropriate airfield.
This would give you a very good grounding for ATCO training, by combining ATSA duties at a busy airport with the bare basics of controlling involved within the FISO world.

I very much doubt the CAA will be amending CAP 427 in the near future in their guidelines on how to obtain a BSO licence..........

What came first, the FISO or the FIS?

Plan well in advance too...I know ASTAC are very heavily booked at present as there's an awful lot of training going on.

Wouldn't the FIS have had to have come first, in order that there was something for the FISO to provide ... :confused:

JD
:)

In rather the same way that you lot are down there because I'm up here - and not the other way round ... ?




OK, OK - I'll get my coat ...

;)

Sorry Jumbo, but yours is just a job protection exercise ......

You're up there, to keep me employed down here ;)

... in which case, I'm simply delighted to be of service ... :D

JD
;)

And gratefully accepted! ;)