Thank you for this!
Good news for foreigners like myself.
Though sounds like a way harder process.
Looking forward to applying in may though.
FEAST or part of it or new version of it will be in step 1 and 3 than, but DART may be off, which is sad as it was really an interesting test that gives a serious hint about the job i guess :)

Ahh good to know its not just me waiting! Im getting so impatient though, just want to know now!

So I believe they've had to push back two courses which might be why you guys haven't got dates yet. I was meant to be starting in May and it's now July. Had already given my notice in at current work so had to ask very nicely to stay longer :p

Hey man,

Did you receive good news in the end?

I ended up getting a call on the Thursday (28th) with the news. I have a start date in July at Gloucester.

I start in Gloucester in July too! 😁

Holy cow - it's over
 

So I just got an email 20 minutes after I leave the building telling me I passed DART. I am an accountant by trade so imagining myself as an ATC just became a little less fantasy! The test day was great. We started at 10. 13 entered of which 7 failed the FEAST. Apparently its rare that half of the applicants pass but we did it. The tests started out very straightforward and progressed in difficulty, but they really ease you into it and with the right mindset there's no chance you will panic.

I am happy to answer any questions about the day via PM. Wish you all the best of luck and thanks to posters in this thread for tips!

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Have you been given a date yet? I emailed them and asked for the Gloucester one and got it so worth emailing them if you haven't heard yet!

Hey!
I'm in the same situation. I passed stage 3 early February and apart from getting an email about my medical date, have not heard anything else!
Might try giving them an email. Is it just the recruitment email address you used?

Cheers

Yep the HR one to Michelle Hart I think it was

Correct, we don't receive that payment. Accommodation and three meals per day are paid for by NATS directly to FTE Jerez.

Flights from the UK to here and back at the end of the course are provided as are flights for a "mid term break" (dates set by NATS/FTE) however those mid-term flights won't necessarily be to your home airport - it's likely to be London (any), Manchester, Edinburgh or Glasgow so if you live a bit from any of these (like I do up the north of Scotland), then you'll still have some travel to get home.

No weekend allowance - however with the lack of paying out for accommodation and food coupled with the cheap Social Club prices (and "interesting" measures!), you really don't need much more than your salary! :)

StuBob , know it's a bit late given your interview is tomorrow however make sure you've remembered the stuff in the Stage 2 document - and think about the content as well as remembering it!

There shouldn't be any Eurocontrol testing at Stage 3, think that was done at some CTC-based Stage 3 interviews but they're not setup at Prestwick for that. It'll be an interview, and some testing around the document.

Good luck!

How long after stage 3?
 

Hey,

How long after stage 3 did it take you to find out if you passed or not? I did mine 15th Jan and still haven't heard

For myself it was the next day, but depending on how busy they are it sounds like it can take a couple of weeks. Nearly two months though is excessive so maybe drop them an email or give them a call?

I did my stage 3 at the beginning of February and found out about 6 days after. I think they quote something like 30 days (might be wrong) so this seems quite a long time - definitely would drop the recruitment people an email

Hi all,
Heard from recruitment yesterday that my start date will be October in Jerez - wanted to see if anyone else on here has the same course?
I hope the weather is nice in the winter...

CarolineS - I've seen your message and yes I am on the July course, but I can't message you as it says your inbox is full. Sometimes that happens if you're new and don't have a posting history! Post a little on here and then it should work.

Ah yeah I just got an email saying that, didn't realise I could only have one message! Glad there's at least 2 of us on here :)

Yeah I've not found anyone else yet. Am kind of surprised with there being 20 of us. Which stage 3 were you in?

Mine was in February. I know a few more people passed on my day and might be going with us but no idea who they were

Regarding FEAST and DART, i appreciate not too much can be done in regards to revision etc, however for all you folk who have progressed past the FEAST/DART exams in recent weeks/months, are there any final preparation tips you may provide to someone who is taking his Stage 2 next Wednesday?!

Thanks :D

I'm on the same October Jerez course! Mayeb we can get a group going?

So since I got my pass confirmation for stage 2 5 days ago I haven't had an email with a link to book my stage 3 interview. Is this normal as we were told to book them ASAP? Just wondering if I should follow up about it. Thanks

Congratulations! Do you want to pm me your number? I've created a WhatsApp group, il add you into it!

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Reading through the recent posts it appears I was in the same group as you (The bald guy crazy enough to travel from Sydney), so congratulations!

I have personally received the stage 3 email already so I'd definitely get onto the recruitment email and let them know, having spoken to them over the last two days they are very quick to reply and help out.

All the best for the future and perhaps we'll cross paths again sometime.

As it stands the current recruitment process will continue for people in the current pool. There are several dates in April and May being looked at for people who pass Stage 2 before April. My only advice would be that if you get through Stage 2 don't hang about choosing your third day as you may miss the boat because they won't keep those days open for ever

Hey, I was wondering if anyone that is going/has gone onto the Jerez course could enlighten me on what the timeline of length away, chances to return to the UK and general set up is like there?

I have my stage 3 interview approaching soon and whilst I understand you don't really pick where you're heading if successful, my very understanding wife (plus a very supportive family) and I will have a young child therefore a valid reason to remain in the UK if possible.
Saying that, we both see the financial benefits Jerez presents over the UK courses and that it is only for a limited time, plus the lack of distraction from being in another country could assist in keeping me on track with the intensive training.

At the moment it's all wishful thinking and planning for the sake of planning but any information you may have will be useful in aiding the tough decision making process should it arise!
Thank you in advance,
TC

TC, I can't speak about the Jerez setup with much certainty as I'm not out there yet. I know my course will last 6 and a half months, and they fly us back over Christmas and then back out again in January. The financial pluses and ability to immerse myself in the right environment steered me towards Jerez too.

If it helps I think there is some flexibility in deciding where and when you go for training. When I got the call I was offered the CTC and I didn't even finish listing 2 or 3 reasons why I'd like to go to Spain instead pretty please and the lady on the phone then started telling me the next Jerez dates. They seem fairly accommodating to me, providing you don't take the biscuit and mess them about.

Hey TC,

I had the same concerns as you. Basically I didn't want to go to Spain. When talking with the HR people after passing stage 3 they stated that to go to Jerez requires both sides to be in agreement If you don't want to go, you don't go.

I asked to go to CTC and I'm going to CTC.

Hope this helps.

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Sorry this was a while ago, so I was offered March at the CTC at the time.

We arrived out here mid-February and are leaving towards the end of July, so just under 5 and a half months here. We have a week back home in April with flights paid for by NATS. I'm not sure how that'll work for you being in Sydney though, unless you're currently in the UK? If you're in the UK, they'll get you back to either Gatwick, Manchester or Glasgow/Edinburgh but after that, you need to get your own way home from there. How long you get home for will depend on when you come out - we get a week, others who're here over Christmas get longer, it's a luck of the draw in that sense.

It is possible to have family come out to you while you're here - we've got people whose other halves are visiting for a weekend and, depending on the size of the room, they're happy to stick another bed in for a guest staying and issue (and very minimal cost) a meal card should they want to eat on site rather than out. While I'd suggest that heading back to the UK wouldn't be a great idea given flight times, there's no reason family can't come out to you.

The big reason for me coming here was financial - I'm saving a good amount being here (while other half remains in UK) which will help when it comes to finding somewhere to stay near CTC for the second half of the course. Unless you're within commutable distance, or can afford to run your home and a shared flat etc on the college salary, I'd give serious consideration to Jerez rather than dismissing it out of hand.

The secondary reason for me picking Jerez was it's an Area course - my next alternative was Global at Gloucester which would have been Aerodrome/Approach so that really firmed it up for me given my preference to have done Area (although I'd not have complained if I'd been put on the Global course with no other option).

Hope this helps!

Basically the benefit is 5-6 months of not paying for accommodation and food. That money can be put away so that when you get back to the UK for the 4-5 months (I think?) at CTC, you've got money for a deposit on somewhere and some in reserve to help cover your costs there. I've not started looking into prices within commuting distance but I'd imagine that after rent, any bills and food, you're not going to have a lot left over so anything you can put away to keep a safety net for your return, the better.

In terms of what I'm spending money on over here, it's toiletries, any food/drink (juice, biscuits, fruit etc) for in the room and any trips out and meals out/drinks.

NATS stage 2
 

I have my stage 2 assessment coming up on the 14th! Any tips?

First off, thanks to everyone for their input so far. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed I'll be able to use this information come mid-April time!

My time is Australia is coming to an end around August so we'll be based back in UK again. With the option of my wife living with her parents for the 6 months I'd be away it is certainly an attractive option, plus I like the idea of her being able to visit now and again.
Accommodation around CTC is insanely priced IMO (500 a month for a room in a shared house...) so being able to save up enough to cover a few months once back seems like a no brainer. On top of that the Jerez training centre does look impressive on their website.

Did you get an option for area/approach/aerodrome? I got the impression it's basically whatever they need at the time, logic suggests there would be more positions for area at any one time but when I asked at CTC they seemed to say it's relatively balanced.

- Learn the booklet, you likely wont need all the info but it'll put your mind at ease.
- Practice some online aptitude games, whether it's on the NATs website or just through google. Some say they help, some say they don't, but why chance it when you have the choice! I personally found they at least gave me an small idea of what was to come.
- Take a water bottle and some food. When you're sat at the computer for a few hours you'll get thirsty, plus if you make it through to DART you'll want a bite to eat. There are vending machines with limited choice but I just chucked a sandwich and a few cereal bars in my bag plus an energy drink for a boost.
- Try to relax, take in the instructions on each test and repeat them if you need to, then just try to put your brain into concentration mode and do what should come naturally if you're right for the job!

Best of luck to you!