NATS - Age an issue? Area vs aerodrome
 

Debating a change of career and am thinking of applying to NATS, age 30

Is age likely to be an issue?

Also, do you get to move between 'area' and 'aerodrome' within your NATS career (+ training) or is that it once you're qualified?

Your profile reveals nothing, unfortunately, so we don't know if you are already an aviation professional or what relevant experience you might have.

If you have no aviation background whatsoever and are proposing to start ATC from scratch you may find that age is not on your side. Some people can do it but as a general rule it is best to start young, especially as NATS provides services at what are usually busy units.

Nowadays the move between Aerodome and Area is not as usual as it was 20-30 years ago. Now it's usually a choice between Aerodrome and Radar as many airfield radar units are based in ATC Centres. At the Centres there are Approach and Area units and some ATCOs hold multiple validations so they can do Area as well as Approach work.

I expect you'll receive many replies but good luck whatever happens..

Thanks HD. I do have 3-4 years of gliding experience - and recently my radio licence, but that's about it (unless you include time in the Air Cadets!).

I'd certainly prepare a reasonable answer to "why didn't you do this earlier" which will no doubt pop up at any interview stage.

Oversteer,

You obviously have an interest in ATC as a career and having been in the Air Cadets will certainly do you no harm. So, you are part way towards a change of direction in your career. I don't think your age is an impediment if you have a genuine desire to become an ATC.

You will have to convince NATS at the interview stage that you have the necessary commitment to justify their investment in your training, but you seem to have that commitment so my advice would be to go for it.

These days ATC is becoming more and more specialised so, although it is not impossible to move between Area and Aerodrome, it is better to choose before you decide which of the paths, either Area or Aerodrome to follow. As Heathrow Director has said Aerodrome tends to include Tower and Approach Radar whereas Area is totally radar and is often carried out in a windowless room with no connection to real, physical aircraft. Why not pay a visit to Swanwick or Prestwick (for Area) or your local NATS airport (for Aerodrome/Approach Radar) and it may help you to decide which path is more to your liking. Having said that you may not get the choice after having completed the NATS college course. These days it appears to be that after the college you are sent to where there is a shortage, apart from if you happen to top the course. Then, a whole new world of opportunities will open up to you.

Best of luck in whichever path you choose.

conversion
 

does anybody know NATS current policies on taking on controllers from abroad? jus wondering as i know oz (where i am) are taking on many controllers from elsewhere....

I don't know the current NATS policy, you'll have to give them a bell.

I came from Oz many years ago with 9 years controlling experience but had to redo all the UK exams. I don't think the situation has changed in the intervening 40 years.

However, I went to Australia with no ATC experience only flying experience and was put on a Short-term course for those with previous aeronautical experience.

You can see where the forward thinking lies.

Hey 1208PUNK, could you maybe help me with a direct contact address for oz?
I have been trying to contact them via the standard procedures and all they told me was that I needed a permanent cityzenship. Being Belgian I thought getting this would not be a problem if I was offered a training/working possition but getting one now before having a job offer won't work I think.

As well they told me that I would have to pay for the training while I thought it was a sponsorship program as well. Don't get me wrong it's not that I don't want to invest in my future but I don't think I have sufficent funds of my own to survive in this way.

To give you a bit more information on myself.... I have a student atc licence with an ACS rating and RAD endorsment.... I've had aprox 7months on the job training in MASUAC airspace. Unfortunatly my training has been stopped recently and I am looking for new options.

So far I have been sending my resume all over the world and I am hoping to get some positive responses as soon as possible....
If any of you might have some more usefull information/tips for me, this would be higly appreciated!

Thx
cheerio!!!

Stoffel

I think you will find that Australia will only recruit you if you are already licenced as a controller. Trainee status wont get you an interview.

To be employed you firstly need to be an Australia citizen or be entitled to obtain citizenship. You will not be employed as a controller but will have to undergo the entire course once you satisfy the citizenship requirements. Sorry but that is the way it is.

Hi Oversteer

I joined NATS at the age of 30 with no previous aviation experience, the main problem i had was reminding myself how to study after almost 12 years off....:eek:

So go for it i say. If you've got the stuff HR are looking for at the moment they'll give you a chance regardless of age.

Good Luck