Hi all, just thought that I'd introduce myself here in order to say thanks to all those who have shared their experiences on here. It's been great getting an insight into what to expect at each round and really helped to prepare myself. I've got my Stage 3 next Tuesday so I'm busily preparing myself, if anyone out there's also going down there next week it would be nice to hear from you.

cdorricott

hey, i got also gor my results and also not good. quiet gutted to be honest as id prepared alot and was happy with what i had done on the day, just shows you never know, heres to a 12month wait if i dont give eurocontrol a blast!

Norrol,

I'm not sure me giving you my answers will be particularly helpful... they want to know about you, so you need to be able to talk about your experiences and why you want to be an ATCO.

To be honest mate I think you're overthinking it a little. You can't have the entire interview rehearsed in your head before you get there because you never know exactly what they will ask you or how they will word the questions. Just think of as many solid examples of situations and circumstances you have been in to do with the various competencies and you'll do fine. At the end of the day if you have what they are looking for then that should shine through, if you don't then it won't, you need to prepare but you also need to realise that you can only do so much and that they will always throw one or two curveballs on the day that are designed to put you on the spot and will be things that you won't have prepared for before hand.

I told them there's a history of ATCOs in my family and also airplane interests. Really didn't talk too much about this question.

Agree with Pat42. Don't over-think it. Easy to say, I know, but you will seem much more authentic and believeable if you don't plan every sentence.

Thanks everybody.I´ll try not to overthink.

Hi,

I also found out last Fri I passed stage 3 !

Those guys who have passed around the same time as me, looks like
Pat42,
Lizplt
Wild78,
congratulations !
But do any of you know when you are penciled in to start if the medical and references go smoothly ? It is so I can give my current employer a rough estimate of the time I have left in my current job!

I emailed HR last Mon but no reply and no answer when i call ! I just can't get hold of a human being ! I know they are uber busy, I just want to beat NATS to speaking to my boss about me resigning before they do about references!!

Anyone know when they contact references ?

Tom

Hi Tom,

I think you have to wait until after medicals and reference processing before they'll give you a date... that said, at my stage 3 one of the HR guys told us we would probably be put on the June course if we got through. Will also depend on whether you want area or aerodrome - there are no aerodrome courses until June (I think) and apparently that is already full up because the Jan aero course was recently cancelled.

If I were you I'd just be honest with your boss; let them know its coming but that you don't know the exact dates yet.

They're quoting a 6-9 month wait to get on courses at the moment, so you could be a while :\

Also, congrats to all that got through Stage 3!! :D

Had it yesterday, gruelling..

References
 

Just to let you know, I start in February and they still haven't contacted my boss for a reference, they do it about a month before you start so no need to tell anyone your leaving yet, you'll get pencilled in after you pass your medical but as some people have recently found out even this date could be moved in certain circumstances so don't shoot yourself in the foot by handing any any notice.

Congrats on passing :ok:

Earliest date finishing now I think it's May-June

Moravcik25: when did you pass your medical? Just to make calculations between finishing date and course starting date.

Thanks for the replies guys.. really useful info !

Just booked my medical for tomorrow.

It seems pretty daunting... is it as scary as it sounds ha ?

Tom

Pray the Doc has warm hands? :}

haha - oh yer, i will be praying !!

I can't believe the waitng list to get on the courses .. wow !!

Congrats on passing! I emailed them too but no reply yet either. Can't wait to escape my current job! I've got my medical on the 4th so maybe I'll know soonish if I pass. I love the "wear appropriate underwear" comment on the invite to medical email. I'd pay good money to see someone wear those borat pants there.

-
 

hi guys and gals,

do you have any idea how often NATS does start the courses? I read the last few posts and noticed that the next courses will start in June or later. Is true for the Aero only or both Area and Aero?
I'm worrying now a bit cause my plan was to go for stage 1 in the first half of 2010, but as it seems NATS have enough ATCO-s till doomsday :(

medical
 

Santomotion
Passed my medical 30th September, got my start date the following day, so once you get it it's pretty quick, I needed to wait to get my CAA medical though as I had a problem with an eye test at the Nats medical.
I don't think waiting till May/June is that unusual, I know a few people that have went through the process and it seems to be the average time to wait on a course

Piqla,

They normally start the courses four times a year: one in Jan/Feb, one April/May, one June/July, and one Oct/Nov. But the courses get booked up quite far in advance, so its not just a case on starting the next course after you pass, you have to wait until the next course with spaces.

As it is about a 6-9 month wait at the moment, and considering selection takes about 3 months, I'd recommend applying a good 9-12 months before you'd actually like to start.

If you want to do Aerodrome its looking even longer at the min. Far too many people want to do aero and NATS seem to have decided they don't have a very large need for aero controllers right now - the Jan course for aero has just been cancelled, and I believe the November course that should have just started was cancelled as well (someone please correct me if I'm wrong)... so aero's got quite a waiting list :\.

stage 2
 

Hi all

Just had some good news, just passed my stage 1, so have to book my stage 2 and do the online tests.

Looking at the timetable I have the option to either book it for next Tuesday or have to wait 3 weeks for a slot. Obviously I am eager to move on with it all but not sure whether I should delay it and go for the later option in order to allow me to prep.

Looking through what everyone is saying (if Im not mistaken) stage 2 is just a massive bunch of tests (which you are either good at or you arent), there doesnt appear to be anything you need to learn (e.g any kind of motivational test) or any interview to prep for so with this in mind I'm thinking of getting it out the way as soon as possible.

Could anyone whos done their stage 2 recently give me their thoughts and opinions on this ? am i missing something?

Many thanks