I didn't get a graduation sustificate. Or cuff-links. :{

There is no such publication as " The Air Pilot". The document is called The U.K. Aeronautical Information Publication".

obwan,
The U.K Aeronautical Information Publication, (IAIP), used to be called 'The U.K. Air-Pilot'.
It was a single-volume, loose-leaf type document, which lived in a HUGE red ring-binder.
I can clearly remember the look of sheer terror on the faces of my course-mates on 24th September 1979, when they first set eyes on it, piled majestically on those CATC desks, along with MATS Pt.1 and The ANO. :E

I always enjoy your posts Zooker but I am afraid that on this occasion you are incorrect, the said document, which I had to amend as part of my atca duties was never offically entitled The Air Pilot, that was always a "nickname".:D

obwan,
Many thanks for your kind comments. I enjoy your posts too.
I have done lots of Googling, but I still can't find a definitive answer.
ICAO Annex 15 states that each contracting state should provide an 'Aeronautical Information Publication.
The current NATS system is, as you correctly point out the IAIP, BUT, they, (and The CAA), also mention the 'Air Pilot' in recent notices about London 2012 airspace changes.

My comments were based on;-

1. Information from Taylor and Palmar's excellent book 'Aviation Law For Pilots'.
2. I am sure John Brooks and Ted Tilly referred extensively to "The Air Pilot" in our ATC Leg' lectures. I still have my course-notes, - somewhere.
3. During my time as an ATCC, (we couldn't afford ATCAs at EGNX), I am sure the AIP publication was officially called 'The U.K Air Pilot'. It was the very hot summer of 1976, it was gold writing on a red lever-arch type folder, amended by ATCOs on night-duties.
I may be wrong, if so I'll buy you a beer!.

ATC historian John Platt has tracked down the first publication of the "United Kingdom Air Pilot" to November 1924. It was certainly known as the Air Pilot in the late 1960s and pretty sure that was actually printed on the cover(s). There were three volumes then. I believe it was renamed the Aeronautical Information Publication in the 1970s but the Air Pilot name stuck. As new generations of ATCO's/ATCs take over it will no doubt disappear.

Anyone else booked in for Stage 3 2moro (23/5/12)? If so, r u staying in Fareham or travelling down 2moro?

I have my stage 3 tomorrow, I've booked a Travelodge outside Southampton for tonight as I don't fancy driving down from the Midlands at 5am!

Good luck for those going tomorrow. My stage 3 isn't for a couple of weeks but I've booked a Premier Inn for the night before. Don't live to far away (about 2 hr drive to the CTC) but better to arrive refreshed I think.

Heading to Birmingham Tower for a visit in a few days :)

I'm really worrying cos my email definitely says Friday but it seems everyone else said today. I've tried ringing Nats every two days for the past week and all I ever get is that stupid voicemail message. And I've got a horrible feeling that I'm going to have traveled all the way down, spent hundreds and have it all for nothing cos of a clerical error on their part :-/ :-(

I wouldn't worry. Both today and friday were available as dates. I've booked a date in June

I would say not a chance. They didn't ask you to book accommodation.

I think it is fair to ask to claim back. Just include it when you submit your claim form at the final interview. Stating 2 nights hotel stay due to NATS system error.
If you don't ask you won't get!

Seb

In response to The Many Tentacles and Simon89. In my humble opinion, just because NATS didn't tell you to book accommodation it doesn't mean they are not responsible. I mean, in many cases it is taken for granted candidates have to book for some night/s at a hotel. Simple proof of it is how NATS brags on about how multicultural their selection process is and how they have workers from all around the world. Secondly, due to their negligence they have caused you an unnecessary expenditure, a tort.

Of course, I would write it in a polite way and just hope for the best. But I do think it would be just fair they were made responsible.

just make sure you wait until after they offer you the job.... :E

I had mine on Friday. No idea how it went tbh haha. Just a very nervous fortnight now >_<

Any Suprises? Or is it like it used to be, group exercise and competency interview?

It's pretty much this, there's a little additional thing but it's not that difficult. Of course we're explicitly told not to divulge details at each stage so can't really say much more!

I encourage anyone who has done stage 3 to keep the details to themselves.

The forum is not always as anonymous as you might think it is, so why risk your career after all the effort

I'll say the same here that I said to one of the HR people at the day of my stage 3. I told him I was writing on PPrune but also said that even if I hadn't been asked not to reveal anything, there would not be any real need.

The only thing I can give you that you don't know are the actual questions, stage 3 is exactly what it says on the box. A group excersice and an interview with questions surronding the key compentencies outlined in the information about stage 3. If you prepare according to what NATS tells you and have the competence they require, you should be able to pass stage 3. If you are not, well then you have another 2 tries before you're out.

I will be attending stage 3 on June 14th. Is anybody else booked in for this date?

Any news for the people who recently attended stage 3?

I've just been informed they're holding me until January instead of the planned start in July, seems HR can't make up their mind about how many trainees they need, oh well, my turn will come in time :)

Really!? they told us they needed people for July!

You've got to be kidding?!. How abusive. I'm sorry to hear Crazy Voyager. By that rule of three, it seems as though they won't be recruiting new candidates this year. Though you just seem to never know what is the next thing they are going to come up with. Rather flighty.

Were you provided with any sort of justification Crazy Voyager?

@SebbyK, I'm aware of that, which is why I was quite suprised to hear they were pushing me forward to January.


@mts1, not really, they said they had reduced the course numbers and thereofer I had been reallocated to course 234.


I would be intrested to hear if anyone passed stage 3 recently have been given a provisional date though, but as I said it seems they can't make up their minds. They have confirmed they will run a course in July though so at least some people will start soon and move the process forward a bit.

Crazy Voyager: with all, I wish you the best of luck. I yet haven't reached your stage and I don't know what will become of me in the future as far as NATS, but you keep at it and don't give up. You're almost there.

I am still waiting my stage 3 results....maybe it means not many people have passed if they are reducing course numbers :/ or as they informed us that they might have corporate training and things can always change

I'm a bit surprised that u've heard already Crazy. I was on the first day & still haven't heard. I can only assume the worst now! :-(

GTA - crazy passed his stage 3 a long time ago.... :ok:

Phew! So I still have a chance! I thought I was out of it (though I prob still am!)
A bit happier now. :8

I haven't heard anything back yet, I was on the 23rd with GTA.

I'm starting to get used to NATS adding half a year delays to everything now, although if I pass I wouldn't mind too much, just hate all this uncertainty!

My medical was on September 5, my stage 3 over a year ago now. In other words don't worry, as said above I passed mine a long time ago.

Just remember your medical is only valid for two years if your college date gets put back too much longer.

If you pass, it doesn't get much better :ok:

Got the call about 40 minutes ago.
Been offered a place on the course starting 30th July :-D
Can't stop shaking with excitement haha.

When did you sit stage 3?

It was on May 25th

Congratulations Sam0n, I just got a call as well saying I passed and have been offered the same course! :D

So glad all this time and work has been worth it, can't wait to get down to training now and all the best to those still waiting!

Congrats Svix, be seeing you soon! :-D