Just Starting Out as ATC! H E L P!
 

Can anyone help me.

I an from England and have just got my A'level results. I want to become an ATC.

I have applied to NATS.....how long do they take?

Besides NATS, is there any other company who run training similar?

Many Thanks.
MCH

Not sure exactly how long it takes, but there are current and recent Student ATCO's lurking on here who will be able to tell you, but from application, to aptitude tests, to interview (assuming you pass the aptitude tests!) to starting your course will certainly take a good few months.

Apart from NATS (College of ATC, Bournemouth), there is Bailbrook College near Bath, which is privately owned, but you will probably have to fork out a five-figure sum to pay for your training if you wish to train there. (there may be other training establishments but I don't know of them)

Good luck!


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Work is the curse of the drinking classes!

[This message has been edited by Der Sim-Meister (edited 09 September 2000).]

One thing to bear in mind is that you must be 21 to hold certain ATC licences, so NATS time the start of your college course so you are old enough at the end of it (18 months or so down the line). When I did it many years ago the period between applying to job offer was about 11 months, with a further year to wait for a course - not sure how that compares to today.

One question - why the angry :mad: smillie? You only use that after you've been in the job a few years! (along with http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/frown.gif and http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/eek.gif )

Good luck - it's a very rewarding and worthwhile career.

I applied about June last year, and started in April this year, but don't base anything on that. Depends on how soon they will have a recruitment sesh near you - where tons of people turn up at a local hotel or whatever to take the initial tests (personality quiz, arithmetic, motivation paper etc). Some people I know took less time, some longer so it's hard to say.

Re. the age thing, I don't know what the restriction is that has to be met, I know it has something to do with the radar license, but there are a few school leavers at the college, some late 18's and early 19's. It's explained in the recruitment bumph as I recall anyway and they don't let you apply if you're too young, so don't worry.

Dog.....welcome back ol' chum!

Be careful not to quote anyone else!!

P.S. Where are you OJTing???

Bright-Ling>>

Hiya, not OJT-ing at the big London aerodrome anyway, no places available this time round. 1 or 2 peeps disappointed about that.

Don't want to say where I am going, would like to preserve what anonymity I have. Besides, I might have to re-course and go nowhere! Heheheh :)

MCH,

I applied back in March/April this year - I took my initial aptitude tests back in August, and having passed through these I have my interviews in October. I belive that, if I get through the rest of the process, I should be on target for starting in the first half of next year - but, as people have said above me, this can change, so it's difficult to say!

Hope this is of some help...
Good luck! :)

Jas.

[This message has been edited by Jas (edited 09 September 2000).]

Dog......come now - don't be shy!

Not everyone is against you.....the word on the street is that you are a near-hero......speaking out as you did!

Anyway, wouldn't want to worry ya buddy but there is no such thing as anonymity! (Me included chummy!)

Good luck wherever you go. We're looking out for you.

Bright-Ling>

Don't be daft, I didn't 'speak out' about anything. I made a point (extremely) badly and it was unfortunately taken the wrong way.

Anyway, we'd better stop, we're hijacking this poor chaps thread!

Cheers ;)

DoW - welcome back

Hey Bright-ling - at the risk of being labelled a hypocrite - don't pick on the puppy! The posts in the other thread were in good fun but that sounds a little vindictive.

MCH2000

If you get through the paper sift of applications you'll be invited for aptitude tests. You'll get the results within 10 working days.

If successful you'll be invited to interview a few weeks later. Interviewed by experienced ATCO then by personnel. Again results in 10 days or so.

CATC courses start 4 times a year in Jan, April, July & Oct. Due to age problem & radar rating you can't start a course until you are 18 yrs and 8 months old. If successful during selection you'll be given a start date to coincide with that age.

Hope this helps and best of luck.

Granny!!!!!!

I was in fact being quite sincere. I'm looking forward to meeting Dog one day!

How are your 'spies' at the college (!) - any juicy gossip????

As for hypocrisy......!!!!

>Just Starting Out as ATC! H E L P!<

I've been doing ATC a long time! HELP ;)

Don't believe all you see.
[This message has :) NOT :) been edited by SATCOS WHIPPING BOY (not edited 12 September 2000).]



[This message has been edited by SATCOS WHIPPING BOY (edited 12 September 2000).]