Info I received from HIAL (yesterday) said NATS will be running the tests in Inverness on their behalf.....

Sat the NATS tests today - If I never see an exploded view of a cube again, it will still be too soon - nightmare!!

Going for a stiff bath and a long, hot drink

Echo Oscar-does that mean that you will also be attending the Loch Ness House Hotel in a couple of weeks?!

Anyone else receive any info back from HIAL?

Just a thought on the accommodation.

I went through the selection in 98, and for my course (106) they sent out the accommodation list very late. As soon as I got the news I was in, I requested the list from the personnel dept. at the college. Gives you an advantage, rather than leaving to the last minute. I seem to remember that the list was also somewhat out of date.

Gonzo

Bubba,

Yes, I have the invitation (!) but also have a number of other irons in the fire, as they say. Continuing to do the homework, though.

Just to further Gonzo's reply, due to personnel being their usual slick self I had written confirmation of my course only two weeks before I was due to start it! And that was only after my SATCO got involved by phone with them! As a result I started chasing accommodation very late. The advice I was given at the time was to start at the BOTTOM of the list and work up as everybody else will start at the top and work down. Worked a treat as the first place I phoned had vacancies. The downside was that nobody on my course was staying at the same place but that didn't bother me as I knew I would be looking for a flat after a couple of months anyway.

Odi

As for personnel ,when we went to the college - everybody had somebody else`s Terms and Conditions !!!

Couldn`t even put them in the proper bleedin` envelopes !

However, in reference to the accomodation discussion, it really is a case of hoping you get the details through early......

A good bet is to try for a B&B in Westby road, Boscombe.... it`s a good start, `cos most people also start around there. Much better for the initial work on Aerodrome 1, and also helps the course to bond as a group...generally in the local pub !!!

When you start at the college, you will probably spend the first 3 weeks trying to give yourself alcohol poisoning...especially at the Meet-&-Greet where generally the whole college comes out for a pizz-up.....I know I certainly did .......

Hello Everyone....

Just to let you all know that I got rejected!
:-( Never Mind! ...Theres always next time!


Can you write to them for a specific reason as to why you get rejected?

MCH2k.

M2k - sorry to hear that, but certainly don't give up. Yes, you can write for feedback, just request the results of each section of the interview and for any help in being successful next time. I did when I was rejected first time, and it came up in my second interview that I had done so, and how had I changed. It was much easier second time round as you know what to expect and can be more defined with your answers. This shows confidence which goes down very well, and the fact that you've re-applied shows you want the job and are willing to wait. You have to wait a year I think before re-applying, so use the time well to get some experience at something, and try to show how it will help your future career in ATC. i.e. Get a bar job and say it showed you the importance of teamwork, meeting the public, dealing with issues in a calm way (drunken fighters!!) and ability to work shifts/lates! Hope this helps, and also make sure you have several nights on the tiles, just to get the training started for the induction week, believe me, you'll certainly need it!!

a good book for preparation for the first stage tests is called "Know your own IQ" by a guy called H.J. Eyshenk (I think that's his name, or something similar. Alot of the tests are similar to that which you will face when doing your NATS tests.

When I was doing the number computer test I seem to remember saying "doh" alot and still passed.

Good luck to all future ATCO's, I don't think I've met many ATCO's who actually thought that they had passed the computer tests so don't worry to much if you don't think you've passed, you could be pleasantly surprised.

Good luck

H.J. Eysenk - Check your own IQ - ISBN 0-14-013506-5
H.J. Eysenk - Test your IQ - ISBN 0-7225-2936-8
Eamonn Butler and Madsen Pirie - Test your IQ - ISBN 0-330-26712-4

All good books for getting your mind working quickly, but are NOT similar to the initial tests (no flattened cubes etc). I believe there are books available with titles like 'Beat the aptitude test' which do have questions more similar to the initial tests - I will try to ferret out the titles.

I'm going for my third technical interview at the end of March - I have been recalled after being a "near miss" on my last tech interview. Do you think this goes in my favour or will they ask harder questions as this is my third attempt??
Also, in my 2 tech interviews, the interviewer hasn't written anything on the paper infront of him - just my name - is this normal/good sign/bad sign????

MCH 2000

Sorry to hear your bad news about the interviews, you sounded well prepared!

Don't give up!! Write back to Ruth Wallace for feedback, this will halp you out for next time.

Also ask when you can send for your next application form - mine is October

All the best - see you next year!
NKOTB

I have my interviews on Friday - any last minute advice of the 'Whatever you do, don't -------- ' variety?

GJbop -

When did you sit your initial tests, if I may ask?

Good luck on interviews btw.

Sound like a lot of you guys are getting stressed out over the tech. interview, don't. I came into ATC as a complete aviation industry virgin and the only knowledge I took into the interview with me was small bits I had gleaned from my airport vist (which was not much) and info from the handout by Mark Crane, which the company sent you. Armed only with this and a cheeky smile I passed my interviews first time and am now a valid controller.

Good luck to everyone and have the courage of your convictions with the scenario questions, this is where you make or break your "tech" interview, (in my opinion of course, others may disagree).

Thanks take5.

I sat the tests on Feb 9th in London (ingrained on my memory).

What really worries me about the interviews is that either the personnel interviewer or the ATCO will ask I question which I give a bad answer to and then not give me an opportunity to dig myself out.

one bad answer, a failed interview does not make.

They'll always question an answer that they feel is "odd" (for want of a better word), you will always get the opportunity to explain yourself.

Don't worry, chill! There are no trick questions, remember the interviewers are there to employ people for NATS, not look for ways to fail people.

Good luck, you won't need it though.

G-BJOP

I Can only emphasise what Mr Bucket says... They are not there to catch you out. There is always more than one way to skin a cat - something you will come to realise throughout your career.

Keep it simple, keep it 100% safe, and keep it fairly expeditious, and you cannot go wrong.

If you have gone totally in the wrong direction, you will be given the opportunity to amend your answer.. beware of being to easily swayed though!! If you think you have a safe, sensible answer, and you can explain why you think so (given your limited knowledge), you will be okay.

REMEMBER - They are looking for people to train to become ATCOs - they are not looking for ready made ATCO's.

Best wishes!

take5

Have you had your interviews yet? Nick said he hasn't seen you for a while, so how's it all going?

nkotb