The motivation paper
 

as i remember it, is just a multiple choice question paper on material they send out with your stage one invite. While it *might not* be up to date, learn it because thats what the questions are taken from. I remember my paper a year ago being dated 2002 or somesuch - about 5 years old.

The questions are not too difficult, but you will need to read the material you are sent at least a couple of times!

The Motivation Paper
 

One thing i remember from mine in February is that you should refresh your memory with the old Speed = Distance/Time. Otherwise learn the paper they sent you and you will do great! :ok:

stage 1
 

Hi there,

Was wondering if anyone has a stage 1 in Glasgow this Friday (11th)??

Feeling a bit nervous :eek:

I've been thinking of a career as a ATC on and off for a few years and I'm still not sure if this is the career for me...has anyone managed to visit Prestwick or Glasgow to shadow/wrk exp etc??

Hey all iv got my 2nd stage on thursday 9am :) and I was wondering whether the October intake of students is full yet as If I get through this stage and the 3rd Id like to start as early as possible!
Cheers
Stephan

stephan870
 

Hi stephan, I passed my stage 3 a few weeks ago and was told that I may start at the college in october or january as final numbers haven't been decided. If you get through I think it's very unlikely you'll start in october, it'll more likely be january (or even april) depending how quickly you get through stage 3 and medical etc etc...

thanks for the tips!
Take care

Katwoman, I will be there for the 1300 session!! :ok:

Grandad
 

Hi all,

Just reading through this thread with interest, can't help but wonder if I'm going to be about ten years older than every other applicant at 31 :8

Dave

re : grandad
 

Hi Dave,

I'm 32 and have my stage 3 on Monday so thus far age hasn't been an impediment.

Wish I had thought of applying 10 years ago but ho hum, never mind.

Good luck with your application and if you have any questions about stage 1 or 2 pm me.

Keep flying the flag for us oldies!

Jon

Norbas + Swisseddie,

Don't worry about the age thing.
There is a good mixture of ages on the courses - mostly 21-26 I reckon with a smattering younger and a few more 'mature' TATC's.
I'd guess about 10-15% of the people who started our course were 27 and over.
There was no obvious correlation between age and passing either.
Personally, I found it really hard to get into the swing of studying to start with but it quickly became the norm again.
Good luck guys.

re Grandad
 

Hi Dave,

I'm with you too mate, 32 here and sweating on results of stage 1. Fingers crossed

Thanks guys, makes me feel a bit better!

Good luck with your applications, I'm due to stage 1 on Monday morning.

re grandad
 

I'm 35 and just passed my stage 1 :ok:

Next the online test - anyone know what to expect or is it a case of 'answer all the questions as honestly as possible'

Stage 1 Selection
 

Hi all, I attended my stage 1 about two weeks ago but haven't heard anything back yet, is this normal please?

Cheers

Wazzer,

If it hasn't changed, then I think it can still be up to 15 days for results.

Usually, it is less than this, but not always. Quickest result I had was the next morning, the longest was 11 days (which was after my stage1).

If you haven't heard anything by the end of day 15, then I'd suggest giving them a call.

Stu

Stage 1
 

Hi Guys,

sorry if this has already been answered, just have a quick question ref the document we have to read in preperation for stage 1. There is a lot of info on aircraft type, seating capacity etc etc, do we need to memorise all this?

Also, do I have the right copy as mine is a 2003 issue and I know some of the info in it is incorrect, but don't want to look like a smart ass pointing that out.

Any help would be appreciated.

I did have a skim through the thread to see if my question had already been answered but couldn't find anything.

Cheers

Ezy

Ezy...

I think it may be a case of they simply havent updated the info, and that its just whether applicants take the time to learn what they are given...

Learn what you can of it, never sure what may come up but it'll be in or closely related to the info. And don't forget D/S/T :ok:

Good luck :)

D/S/T ??????

*Looks confused*

Distance/Speed/Time and all that...

A/C flying at 420knots, 70 miles between A+B, how long to cover that distance etc...

Looking confused... you'll be right at home here then :}

Stu, is that 15 working days or 15 days please?

Cheers

Warren

Wazzer - was 15 working days when I went through Stage 1. They did let me know quite quickly - but the email did say 15 working days as a maximum.

Thanks guys, I'll wait patiently, I know I can do this job well :}

Distance=Speed*Time and all that...

A/C flying at 420knots, 70 miles between A+B, how long to cover that distance etc...

Looking confused... you'll be right at home here then


Now see, this is where i get annoyed at myself. Using my physics ie D=S*T, the sum is 70miles divide by 420kts (lets assume 420kts is also 420mph)

So the sum would be 70/420 = 0.16 =1/6th hour = 10 mins

Now thats allvery well with a calculator, but how to divide 70 by 420 in your head? Also, if the answer is 0.24, how to convert that into minutes in your head?

I'm sure there's a cleverer way but personally...
60kts = 1 mile a minute
420kts = 7 miles a minute
70 miles = 10 min

No calculators required:D:ok:

I did that in my head in about 5 secs and I'm about 40 years older than you are! The secret is to break the speed into 60 kt increments (one nautical mile per minute). 420 kts = 7 NM per minute. 70 miles divided by 7 = 10 mins. Who needs a calculator? :)

"QFE and QNH are arbitrary Q codes rather than abbreviations, but the mnemonics "Nautical Height" (for QNH) and "Field Elevation" (for QFE) are often used by pilots to distinguish them."

Simply just googled QFE and got this, there is more in Q codes if you wish to find out more. ;)

thanks for the answer, but it doenst involve using d=st.

Do NATS want to see the working out, or just the answer?

Its multiple choice, so they just want you to put the correct answer - doesnt matter how you get there! I would recommend practising the 60kts per minute method, (from my interview experience it was invaluable!) as it is much easier to work in your head - especially when those crafty interveiwers put you on the spot at stage 3!!!

Bamboozle is correct... they're not going to throw out something that isnt do-able in your head... or at least they didnt through my process :}

Now the mental maths on the computer tests at stage two whilst you're watching another part of the screen and have 2.6 seconds to answer... thats a bit diff :ouch:

Basically its simple numbers. Forget physics or the term D/S/T if you want. Division and multiplication of what will usually be factors of 6 pretty much cover it :)

Well, thats me back from my stage one in Glasgow. Fingers crossed I did well. The day went smoothly enough, got there, upto 2nd floor, registered, watched a DVD while the rest registered. This was when things got interesting.

While I was waiting, got chatting to a couple of guys, and asked them about the motivation paper. All i got was blanked looks. After some more chat, it turned out they never got the second email with the link etc, or anything through the post!

One of them went to speak to an organiser, and she then got us all together, and asked how many of us didnt get the material. From about 30 of us, 11 i think went home! I felt really sorry for them as one came all the way from Newport :sad::sad: They were offered the chance to sit it, but if they failed, they would have to wait a year!

Anyway, we were then sent through to a room, sat down at tables of two, and were given the checking paper. 5 mins to check as many as possible. Then the cubes, which we got 15 i think. Then the diagramming one, applying the change to the pattern, think we got 15mins for that.

The group was then split into two, one to sit the motivation paper, and the rest of us to speak to a controller. This i found was very helpful and we had a good chat.

Then the paper, which was 20? mins long. All in all, a good day, think i did OK, but really felt for the guys/gals who went home without even sitting the test!!!

Adrian old chum, you obviously were never interviewed by me! :}

Pencil, paper, scientific calculator, C5P slide rule all required!

hi you said I quote :

" Anyway, we were then sent through to a room, sat down at tables of two, and were given the checking paper."

What do you mean by "the checking paper"?

What did you have to check? is that what's called the motivation paper?

Are the controllers cool and and do they share a lot of their "knowledge" with you or do they just wait on you to ask questions and answer them by a wee answer?

Thanks for replying.

Chris

PS: Good luck on your results, I wish you to get through to the 2nd stage.

oh dear,

That's gotta be tough then.
Hope I fall on a good star!!!

lol.
kidding.

Take care.

Chris

Yeah many a candidate has fallen flat after Gonzo kicks off the interview with the simpler questions, to break the ice.. String Theory and Quantum Interlocking Pair-Tunneling Phenomenon are his favourites I've heard.

He has very high standards!

Indeed I wasn't... for which I am eternally grateful :suspect:

I anticipate being caught at some point though for a technical poser or two. I live in hope otherwise :E

Like the time when salicyclic acid cropped up in my oral board... :ouch:

lafouine

The 'checking' Chris refers to is Basic Checking: Its to do with the ability to match strings of digits or letters exactly and accurately in a short period of time.

For example, 134867 will be printed on the left hand side of the page.

You have to pick out the exact match to that from the right hand side of the page. I think its 50 to do in 5 mins.

Adrian

As per AJ7, thats exactly what it is.

Re the chat with the controller, she really was excellent. I have been in a group many times when we have to ask the person questions, and without fail, no-one says a word. BUt she was really cool, described what she did, and she just let the conservation flow. She was also very honest and candid re pay/conditions etc, and I thought overall it was very good.

I must say, i have been to a lot of interviews, and this was one of the slickest around.


The hotel was in a great spot ie good links to motorway, airport, public transport etc, no time was wasted faffing around, and all the organisers were happy and polite.In some places the hotel/venue is in the middle of no-where, you get a grunt from the staff, and things takes ages to do!!

all right,

I got it now,

just like the thing presented in their practice paper they send you.

OK, I think it's called clerical tests, not too sure!

anyway thanks for your help.

I LIKE this thread, your questions get answers really quick!!!

Thank you guys!!!


Chris

Shame Gonzo's high standards don't include passing the motivation paper....! ;)

Oh, I passed. :}
Definitely passed !!