There isn't much in the way of public transport in Whiteley especially at that time of the morning.

There's a B&B just down the road from Swanwick, which is only about a 10 minute drive from CTC - I have no idea what it's like or costs, I just drive past it every time I go to work

https://www.280normanhouse.co.uk

Hi everyone,

from what I've gathered the DART test on stage two seems to be somewhat like the ATC landing game on the NATS website. Is this correct and if so what kind of level / score on this game would seem around the performance necessary to pass this section?

Additionally, has anyone successfully (or unsuccessfully) taken part in the stage 3 interviews who had a large gap on their CV?

Thanks.

If you have a gap in your CV, you will have problems getting a security clearance

Thanks for your reply,

could you expand on why I would have issues with the security clearance. I have essentially a 4 year gap post university where I was an owner / operator of a small restaurant in Asia. Is there anything I can do about this? Would you advise rebuilding my CV before applying?

Thanks.

Congrats @MNAsantos
Regarding your CV, from Portugal I guess, did you had to do some kind of statement of comparability for your PT education diploma?
I'm waiting for a stage 2 date, and traveling from Portugal whenever I book a date. Do you have any advice regarding flights and lodging.

I had no problems at all, but you can email me and I can give you some tips on how to get to the CTC.

PS: I don't give answers for the tests (it's impossible)

Hi everyone,can anyone give me any pointers as to what questions are asked on the competency/technical and personality profiling interviews at Stage 3 assessment? Thanks in advance.

what date is your stage 2 for April? Im also booked for next week.

I sat my stage 2 a few days ago. As people have been saying, there is really nothing you can do to prepare for these tests other than read the booklet they give you in advance.

For the knowledge test I would also suggest brushing up on basic maths calculations for speed/distance/time. It isn't difficult though and there really is no excuse to fail this part. FEAST 1 is also not overly difficult if you have the required skills. You cannot teach yourself these and it is best to go in blind.

I reached the DART stage and I'm awaiting the results from that. I had one collision, 2 conflicts and 1 missed checkpoint though so I'm not hopeful, even though the final marked part of that I found the easiest, just took a little bit to get into the swing of things.

Good luck to everyone wherever they are in the process!

Hi, first time poster but have been lurking for a while :)

I'm wondering if anyone can provide clarification on the emboldened statement above? I know that this is what the FAQs on NATS website say but
also that this hasn't been the case in the past.

I'm asking as I failed my stage 1 test last week under fairly incredible and unpredictable circumstances, and whilst I'm not looking for sympathy for that and fully appreciate the need for NATS to be strict when filtering through applications, I'm devastated that perhaps my only opportunity to go through this process could have been stunted by something beyond my control.

The 24-month wait period for a second application was a FEAST limitation. If the ANSP decides they don't want reapplications, well, that's their choice then. That, however, doesn't prohibit you from retaking FEAST with a different ANSP (provided the 24 months). Eurocontrol is one option.

At my stage 2 last week, the administrator said that they were looking to change this policy and to keep an eye on the website. She didn't specify when they will be changing it and to what, though.

Unfortunately it's not for me as I'm over their age limitation :hmm:

Interesting, would love to hear an update if you hear anything regarding that.

Thanks for the replies!

I hope they do change it! When I applied and failed at Stage 2 I was told I could reapply in 2 years, when I looked again the other week I see that it's changed to only being able to apply once and that's that!
Very short sighted on their part I would argue, especially given that I currently operate in a very similar environment and would (in my opinion) be able to carry out the role and the training.
But hey, they've changed it once who's to say they won't change it again soon :)

I have my stage 3 in June, can anyone tell me what the final computer test is? I've heard mention of the strip management test but not sure if this was an old part of feast 2 or not.

Hi everyone - just wanted to say thanks for the helpful info posted so far, bits and pieces have helped me pass everything up to and including the Stage 2 assessment so far.

I have my Stage 3 in a few weeks in May, and was wondering if anyone could give me any advice as to any extra things I could learn in advance of the day?

I feel I can prepare for the computer test, competency interview (as much as I can at least!), and the personality profiling interview, but wondered if there was any additional reading I could do to boost my chances? One of the NATS recruitment staff I met at Stage 2 suggested learning the details of several airports across the UK, and perhaps some ILS plates, as well as info about NATS itself.

Are there any people who have undertaken Stage 3 that could tell me if this sort of stuff would be relevant, and anything else I could add to the list?

Thanks a lot in advance! :)

Hi Everone!

Passed my Stage 1 last night, anybody have any idea of timeframes to book my Stage 2? Intisl email said i only had 7 days to book and attend?

Thanks!

Hey Jonny,
I just passed Stage 1 too, the email I got says that you have to book a date within a week, but the date you book does not have to be within a week (i.e. if you got the email on April 25th, you have until April 2nd to book a date, but you could choose an interview date of May 15th)
(Having said this they all state in the email that due to limited date availability at the moment the 7 day rule may not apply)

... I just followed the link and the next available dates are in June anyway :/

Out of interest, what is the average age of trainee controllers? Is being in your late-20s/thirties fairly normal or does it tend to be more graduate-age?

Hello all.
I'll be taking Stage 3 assessment center next week along with the ATC knowledge test.
Any tips on how to organize the aircraft in the booklet to remember all the details of each?

Anybody going June 23Rd?

Hi Palks,
Chech your mail! ;)

Hi I've recently passed stage 3 and have been given a start date at the college of July 24th. Me and a fellow trainee are looking to rent a place in the area, are there any other trainee ATCOs who would be interested in joining us?

Also to anyone who has already been through the college, any suggestions on the best area to live?

Cheers, Stewart

Hey Stewart, I am also on the 24th of July course! I have already got accommodation, but it would be good to connect through Facebook! I have set up a closed group, if you search for "NATS 248 Basic" on Facebook. or use the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/172560703267268/edit/

Assesment
 

Hi All

Got my 1st assessment day tomorrow in Whiteley and am really struggling with learning the aircraft's. I have put in some serious time but the aircraft's are stumping me.
Are the ATC questions multiple choice and what percentage are about air
craft please.

Nervous but excited....

Cheers

How did you get on?

Caity, take it you've been by now. How did it go?

I passed! Got the news last Friday, super excited. I haven't had the terms & conditions through yet so not 100% sure of the start date, but the woman I spoke to on the phone was saying there's still spaces on the end of July course (which I'm assuming starts on the 24th from other posts), so I might be with those guys.

For anyone wanting advice about stage 3 there's not much to say apart from be yourself (cliché I know), revise as much as you can from the booklet they give you, and maybe do a little extra research about NATS and air traffic control. I think I went a bit OTT learning all about ILS plates and things but it can't hurt to show you're keen! In terms of the computer test I think it's best to just go in there and give it your best shot without trying to prepare for it like the others, I think they purposefully don't publish much information about it to see how you get on, and I'm not going to divulge here. Hope that helps anyone with an assessment coming up!

If any of the peeps on the end of July course want to get in contact give me a shout - as soon as I know the start date for certain I'm going to start looking for accommodation and I'd really like to live with others doing the same thing!

Sorry for the essay, good luck to anyone still progressing through the assessments and hope it's good news, I know it's made my year! :)

Hi All

Attending Stage 3 in July; wondering if anyone can clarify if the Stage 3 computer based test(s) is similar in nature to the tests in Stage 2, or something completely different?

Also, regarding the technical competency interview, are the questions they ask specific to details in the handbook (e.g. a specific aircraft's speed etc), or more general questions about ATC practices and regulations in airspace etc.

Thanks!

Congrats! Bet you're well chuffed. Hopefully you'll get on the July course. I have my stage 3 in less than 2 weeks, and I think I'm probably going a bit OTT on learning technical stuff, so your advice has helped, thanks!

Thanks, I am indeed! Hope it goes well for you, let me know how you get on!

So it's been recommended to have a go at the games on the NATS website. Anyone have any idea as to what is regarded as a good score?

My stage 3 was Monday 15th May, and I found out that Friday on the 19th. But they do say in that it could be up to 30 days or something before you hear back, so if you had an assessment on a Monday and didn't hear by the end of the week I wouldn't worry. I would imagine you almost always hear back within a week or two, it probably depends how busy they've been and how many were at an assessment.

If you were still interested about next steps, I'm in the middle of sending off all of these medical / security forms and waiting for further instructions, like getting a date booked for the medical. It can take a while for it to all get processed, I think they say to give yourself at least a couple of months in between finding out you've passed stage 3 and starting the next training course to make sure your medical and security clearance all goes through. All of the information about the requirements for passing a Class 3 medical is available on the CAA website so you can get an idea if you'll have any potential issues, and as long as you don't have a large gap on your CV the security should be straightforward.

Hope some of that helps, and good luck with Stage 3! :)

While the NATS games give an idea of having to deal with multiple 'aircraft' and avoiding tunnel vision, I wouldn't put too much effort into practising them. The games require quick reactions, but that's it. DART requires this too, but what makes it harder is that you have to think ahead and be accurate with your directions as well. The games don't test this. That's my thoughts at least.

Thanks Flamin Squirrel. Decent tips. Can you possibly shine some light on another question. Rumour has it there's a few distance/speed/time questions in the multiple choice paper. Is this true? The email NATS sent only mention to learn the info in the booklet.
Thanks,

hbas1

I did mine on the 31st of Jan and found out on the 2nd of Feb.

Also a quick reminder, anyone starting on the Basic 248 course in July, come and join our Facebook group to help work out accommodation and ask questions etc!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/172560703267268/

Hi lakupipu, sorry for the delayed response! When you say you are staying for a week after the stage 3, are you hoping to get all the medical stuff out of the way by then? Because there's no way it happens that quick! I'm still waiting for a date for my medical, hopefully sooner rather than later. In terms of all of the forms, you fill them all in and either send them off online or via post, but you will need to get a medical in person. If NATS give you permission, you can get it done by another AME that isn't the one NATS pay for in London. I have no idea if you can get it done by a medical examiner in Spain, perhaps worth finding out if there is one certified by the CAA that you could go to to save you travelling back to the UK just for a medical?

Hi, I will have my assessment day in 8 days, I have read your post and I would have a question about the motivation paper.
I am a bit worried about the many details of the aircraft's which was given to us, I feel like I know most of it, but having a bit of hard time about the Airlines. Would you mind to tell me a bit more accurately what sort of question shall we expect? I would really appreciate it, thanks in advance!

Has anyone else had a message about change of date and venue for training?

There were when I did it. I can't remember if it was more than one, but it wasn't lots.