Sorry My Computer System At Work Only Allows Me To Use Caps

I sat mine on the 18th and heard back the other day that I hadn't got through. It's frustrating falling at the final hurdle, but I had the feeling that things hadn't gone that well so I really wasn't all that surprised. I've asked for feedback (although I can pin point a few times when things fell apart and I wanted to kick myself) but they've said that I can only get feedback if they have time so I have no idea if I'll hear anything.

Still, this was my first time and from what I've seen here lots of people go through it again (and again) so there's always next year. Now I just need to figure out what to do until then...

Well done Sam79 and good luck Mannequin!

Congrats Sam! That's awesome! Hope it's good news Mannequin. :)

Yeah Mannequin good luck! Well done Sam79!

lemmingsjump I'm in the same boat, I didn't pass a couple of weeks ago but hey ho, i'll be better prepared next year. I am going to spend the year finding out about self sponsoring myself through an ADI and if I don't get through next year, I'm gonna do it that way.

Anyway keep your chin up matey!

Hi there,

I am due to attend stage 3 testing on 10th dec, wondered if any one else is attending that day?

10th dec
 

Hi kewf,

I have my stage 3 on the 10th dec. I finish work at 5.30pm and going str8 up to the airport for a flight from glasgow the day before. How are you feeling about it?? When was your stage 2?

I had my stage 2 on 27/10, when was yours? Im pretty excited about the interview less then two weeks to go!

stage 3
 

My stage 2 was 11th Nov. I'm going for my visit to Prestwick today, can't wait.....i'll let you know how it goes :ok:

Got the dreaded email this morning. Pretty gutted really, put so much in, hoped for the best and prepared for the worst but it's still hugely disappointing.

Oh well, I'll try and get some feedback and go again next year.

Good luck to all those still waiting.

Pete

Yes same here, did my stage 3 on the 24th and just got the "sorry to tell you that you were not successful" email, well better luck next time I suppose, though I'm not sure how I could have done any better. How did everybody else from that day do?? Hope you did better than me!

PS_82/paulfoley30

Aw man, sorry to hear that :(

stage 3 prep
 

I have my stage 3 very shortly, big thanks to everyone who helped with my stage 1/2 questions! Im curious about the interview. Having read this whole thread from top to bottom it would seem that there are no technical questions in the interview just personality questions. however having spoken to someone who has done this before a couple of years ago, they have told me that there were technical questions involved. Im just wondering whether this conflicting info is due to a change in the stage 3 structure over the last 2 years?

Yeah they have changed the interview from last year to get rid of the technical stuff. If you've visited a site tho its a good idea to get some background knowledge to whats going on because you'll be asked about what you've seen. It's mostly done by HR though so they don't go into much detail.

Medical
 

Hey all, I had my NATS medical on friday afternoon and all went well. I now have my CAA one to look forward to, is this exactly the same as NATS or is there more checks and things to do? Much help appreciated xxx

The CAA one is less than the NATS medical - slightly less strict requirements and no drug test either. However, expect it to take longer - it's always very busy there!

Medical
 

Hi. A quick question about the medical(s).

I am going for my NATS medical on the 11th to Swanwick, and thought this was the only medical I had to do but from what has been said in the last couple of posts I'm guessing there's actually two medicals? Could someone enlighten me please lol and tell me why you have to do a second one and where the second one is. Thanks for any help!:ok:

The NATS medical is to satisfy them that you're fit and healthy to work for them (and that you pass the drugs test). However, to be an operational ATCO, you need a medical certificate from the CAA which forms part of your student, and later full, licence. NATS want to check you fulfil the CAA requirements before you go for the 'proper' medical.

Initial CAA medical is issued at their offices near Gatwick Airport, after that, you can get a renewal just about wherever you are.

Hope that helps.

Thanks very much for that Paperclip! Even more money on flights now lol...!

Hi everyone.

Long time viewer, first time poster.

I have my first ever (and hopefully my last with any luck!) Stage 1 on Thursday at Prestwick. It's quite short notice as the later dates didn't suit due to work commitments.

With regards to prep (I've read lots of this thread with interest over the past months even before applying) - would it be fair to say that all the prep in the world couldn't prepare you for it as at the end of the day, you're either cut out for it - or not?

I'm looking forward to the experience having thought about applying for around 5 years now but other work has kept me occupied.

If anyone else is going - it'd be great to hear from you.

Awra best.
Liam

stage 3 OPQ
 

just done my stage 3 SHL OPQ, does anyone know if its possible to fail due to your answers on this or is it just for information gathering ?

Hi Liam,

Opinion varies, but I'd suggest that there is certainly a degree of preparation you can do for stage 1:

Read and learn thoroughly the document NATS send you - there is an entire paper on this, so if you don't know it then you will fail! Also well worth brushing up on your mental arithmatic if you don't use this a lot in your current line of work (check out www.speeddistancetime.info for some topical practice examples).

Some people find it beneficial to practice the cubes and the diagramming tests, but example questions can be quite hard to find and many people end up devising their own. Personally I didn't bother with this, but I've always found that these type of tests come naturally to me and I know that for some people spending some time practising can be very helpful.

Good luck

If anyone is lucky enough to get through, I'd recommend staying in one of the B & Bs in Boscombe with other students. It's good to study with others plus you don't have to sign up for a minimum period. Less risk that way. Also, there's several B & Bs in a row with Hurn students so it's easy to grab a lift with someone if you don't have a car. A good one is The Edwardian. If anyone is interested, call Wendy on 01202 396906. It's just TATCs here and is like living in a shared house without any of the responsibilities! :ok:

Good luck to those still going through the interviews.

Thanks for that ProudScot82. That actually makes a lot of sense :)

NATS Selection? initial online test??
 

Hi All,

I have my S1 selection on Wed 9 Dec and I am about to start me the online test that I am required to complete before going. I did apply to NATS lasy year and the format of the selection process was somewhat different. Last year I sat the stage one selection in Manchester and was then invited to sit an online personality test once I found out I was successful at the S1 tests. Unfortunately I did not pass the online test. Thsi year the online test is before the sit down S1 test.

Is the current online test still just a personality test as it was last year or is there some mathmatical questioning or anything similar. I just want to ensure I am ready for what's instore for me before i click start.

Can anyone shed any light on this???

Thanks all,

Daisy

Billy Girl -

I will be completing my CAA medical on the 9th Dec so thats the exact information I am interested in. I will certainly be looking into your suggestions. They sound goooood. It will definately be nice sharing with other trainees as I know we will need eachothers support... I hear the college is the toughest months of your life ! ahhhh

I just need a start date!! Anyone know how long after you submit your CAA medical certificate to NATS that you will receive a college start date ?

Tom

Tom
 

Hi Tom

I got my start date the day after my CAA medical, so it's pretty quick, as soon as it's faxed across they'll give you a date

Super quick then, that's great news. I can start to plan my life then !

Thanks.

Tom

I also would be one to recommend the Strand, Ravensbourne and Edwardian. All three B&B's are next door to each other and cater solely for trainees. It's a great place to spend your time at the college.

Hi Tom...I would suggest planning your life with a bit of flexibility. As has recently been shown, last minute changes can occur.

Just a tip. ;)

billy girl,
I agree with that 100%.
My time on Westby Rd, (The Clematis), was among the highlights of my life.
It was a long time ago. (I started about the same time as Jim Bergerac joined The Bureau).
BUT, to all of you....
Work hard and have fun!...:ok:

Sounds a bit like halls at uni. Tho prob a lot less drinking and a lot more work! Would prefer to be around other trainees though so will def look at them! Thanks for the tip! Got my medical this Friday. Fingers crossed!

lizpit, "halls at uni"
nah, - ATC is a team job, remember. - And you will be pushed much harder than "uni"! ( Been there, got the tee-shirt,- sorry sweat-shirt).
Very Best Wishes...:ok:

Hi there, new person here.

Well I am applying for the 2nd time as I got rejected last year but think I know where I went wrong.

I have my stage 1 assesment on Friday at Heathrow House (just down the road from me so quite handy!). I had to take an online test first of all and as I didn't have to do this last time I was wondering if anyone knew what other changes (if any had been made to the selection process since last year?

Also good luck to anyone else attending on Friday.

Try posting this in the NATS Interview Process, good luck with your application

I've just completed the online tests ahead of Stage 1. Found the checking test straight forward but just couldn't manage to do a lot of the equations in the allotted time and found myself getting rather annoyed as I looked up from my bit of paper only to see the next question appear.

Anyone else struggle with the time constraints here?

Prestwick tomorrow :ugh:

bigdaisy

I've just sat this test. The first part is made up of a checking test where you're asked to compare letters & numbers to the columns opposite. If you're on the ball it's straight forward enough.

The second is mathematical equations and personally I think this might have caught me out as the time limits are very very short and I came up short a few times trying to answer them - especially as my current line of work involves very little (if any) maths.

Good luck! :ok:

Zooker -

Considering I had like 8 hours of lectures a week I fully expect the college to be a lot harder! I work longer hours in a day than I had lectures in a week. It was a joke!
I only meant Halls were like the B&B's in the sense that everyone's in the same place. Pretty sociable.

Has anyone been given a start date recently? Do we know when they're booking people in for at the moment?

Thanks Mailbackwards,
That helps, my line of work involves little maths also. Are the equations just quick multiplication or addition or are they complex long division or complicated equations?

stage 3 interview advice
 

Good evening, wondering if anyone who has gone through this could give me a bit of advice?

I have my stage 3 interview very soon so am trying to prepare by thinking of examples in my work life which meet the criteria and traits they are looking for. My uncertainty however is what examples to use.

I spent 4 years working in a team environment followed by the last 3 years as a manager (still part of a small management team) but more focused on managing the team (there were 5 of us managers managing a team of 50ish). Obviously the role is a team based role so I am thinking possibly steer clear of the examples from my management days and focus on my days as part of a large team? or do you feel that examples of teamwork amongst a small management team who managed a large team might be good to use?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

"8 hours of lectures a week"
Hell, I did the wrong degree!
Psychology was it? :E