Visiting a control tower,
 

Hi, I'm sure this has been asked before so apologies if it has. I've got to the stage 3 assessment for NATS and I think a visit to a tower or 2 would help massively, however I'm having a nightmare actually contacting any towers to try and organise visits.

I've emailed the SATCO at Leeds Bradford (closest to me) but she hasn't replied to me and I'm not sure if she will. I've also been looking at all the NATS towers (Heathrow, Manchester etc.) but the websites say for ATC inquiries to contact NATS directly, but I emailed NATS and they said to contact the towers directly! :ugh:

I've been looking around even more and can't find any contact information (Phone numbersor email addresses) to even speak to the towers let alone arrange anything!

Does anybody have any information on how to contact individual towers or how to arrange visits? Has anybody been in this boat before? This is really irritating me and I think it'd be really interesting for me to visit a few towers.

Cheers.

Visiting a control tower,
 

I'll have a look to see if I can find the contact details of one of the Watch Managers at BHX.

I've been lucky enough to get a trip up East Midlands tower and Birmingham's old tower. I'd love to have a look in their new tower, but haven't managed it yet.

Can you only access the tower if your in training or can you visit if your just an enthusiast?

Depends on unit restrictions, I think for most units anyone can visit as long as you're over 18, however you need someone to show you around which means that in practice you can only visit if you either know somebody working there, or have contacts that can find you someone working there willing to show you around (and accept responsibility for you during the visit).

I used to know someone at ljl and got into their tower when he was working there as an engineer. Spent the whole day with various atco's and learnt a lot.

I emailed someone at a customer service desk at manchester who put me in touch with the relevant person in the tower but they wouldn't allow me to visit.

A 'few' units? Seriously, if you're simply going through the TATC application then stick to a max of one unit. You're not gonna gain anything by visiting multiple towers and just take up people's time. As for contacts - all ATC admin numbers are listed in the AIP. Take your pick :ok:

@Squawk 7500

Maybe a stupid question, what's the AIP?
Also I don't agree that It'll be best visiting one tower, if you visit more surely you'll learn more and it shows more commitment.

AIP... Aeronautical Information Publication. It's on-line..

You could smply bell the airfield and ask to speak to the SATCO or Watch Supervisor/Manager. Security problems make it very difficult to visit some ATC facilities. E.g. Heathrow Tower is airside and can take half a day to get to!

Good Luck

Freddies,
Historically, Manchester have always been good for this sort of thing, hopefully they still are.
Don't forget the new tower is not at the airport terminal complex.
All the very best.

In my humble opinion, Leeds are an extremely friendly and flexible ATC unit and well worth a visit if you tee one up through the proper chanels.:-)

Post 9/11 they're probably afraid you'll hijack the tower VCR or the approach room and therefore...............

Far fewer ATCs seen in flight decks these days and prob vice versa, so the exchange of info dries up, to the detriment of all of us.

Thank you Transec and DfT for being so anal in your rules and regulations.

Al Q etc will be laughing all the way to heaven...........:suspect:

If you dont know what the AIP is, pehaps you should worry yourself about reading round the subject in preparation for your interview

Most Units in the UK are very welcoming in having visits for those coming through the selection process. You're better off choosing a Unit which has a Tower landslide to avoid having to go through the security process.

In reference to the above and knowing what the AIP is about, don't worry, the final interview is purely competency based and has no technical questions (unless it has changed since I went through it in 2010). It's probably worth having a quick online but nothing more.

What you will probably get asked is whether or not you have gone for a visit (so 100% organise one) and they'll ask you a few questions about what you saw and understood so don't be afraid to ask lots of questions when you're upstairs when they're not busy! :ok:

Why?

I had no idea what the AIP, had never heard of the ANO or MATS and knew nothing about air traffic beyond what was in the stuff they sent out and still passed.

Knowlege without context is a dangerous thing

Jez, the AIP is not the best reading around to recommend - it's a pretty inaccessible document for someone who isn't looking for specific information.

But it's perfect for looking for contact information. It amazes me that after I suggested the AIP, the OP didn't just type 'AIP' into google and click the first link.

Maybe he did and is still wondering why an Asian online market research organisation is of any relevance.

Strange. You must be suffering from some of Google's targetted advertising. The first link on mine is 'NATS - AIS'.

Perhaps the OP should try a local GA field first, to see ATC in the raw. If he was to ask at the GA Office Desk he would most likely be allowed to sit in with the A/G radio operator. (and bring him up a cup of tea.)


There he could ask about the Aldis lamp, the LITAS system, and why the runway is called by two different names, and all the other basic stuff before diving into the complicated depths of Heathrow Traffic.


Nearest to Harrogate are Full Sutton and Sherburn in Elmet. Don't go on a wet day as there won't be any GA activity at all, try on a clear sunny day on a weekend.


Freddles.... Have you found the AIP yet? (It has the telephone numbers you require.)

'LITAS' phiggs? Visual approach systems nowadays are mostly PAPI or APAPI, occasionally HAPI/PLASI.