ferratini,

When you applied you were asked: "Have you read the eligibility and medical requirements for becoming an Air Traffic Controller?" Perhaps not...... It says on the eligibility section of the careers website that you 'Must be eligible to work in the UK'. As an EU citizen, I assume you are?

You should find that the careers website is pretty good for answering these sorts of questions - worth a read!

paperclip810,

Of course I read the eligibility and the medical requirements, I just probably didn't explain myself properly.

What I want to know is if it is common for NATS to accept EU citizens for ATCO trainee, not for the tests, but to be chosen for the training itself.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

I started my training with someone from Austria, the course ahead of me had a Spaniard and the one behind us had a Belgian.

As long as your English is good enough to understand what's being said and read then if you get through the selection there shouldn't be a process.

@Newb

I was the same as you. I saw an advert for NATS in the back of a Cosmo mag in 2002 that I'd borrowed from my g/f at the time to read in the bath. I'd never even heard of the company before, never thought about the job and to be honest it was the bit that said "you can earn £70k a year" that got me interested. I applied and now I'm valid and absolutely loving the job.

I came into it off the back of working behind a bar, making pizzas and working in an arcade. I couldn't tell the difference between an Airbus and a Boeing....................................and I still can't :\

So don't worry about not knowing as much as others, you all start pretty much equal at the college and I found the people who flashed their knowledge around didn't all make it anyway

I did my stage 3 in London on 20th Feb and have still not heard back. I realise it could be up to 15 working days but I reckon after this length of time it won't be good news.

How long did it take for any of the current batch of applicants out there to hear back?

AJ7 and The Many Tentacles

Cheers for the advice, gave me a bit of hope! Just going to stick in with the revision of the stuff i've been sent and see where it leads me:ok:

Stage one tests
 

Hey all,

Ive just literally turned 18 and have applied for the stage one tests, im hopeful but having read all the replies on here it seems there is a lot of different aspects to catch you out. Ive got a month, and a month only!!!, to be ready for this test on the 30th March (Manchester) i know its going to be a struggle! So has anyone got some solid tips for this stage????

thanks.

P.S: be great to hear from anyone else that has test on this day/centre :)

Hi Kristov

the length of time before you find out doesn't mean anything. i found out a few weeks back i was through. did my test on the Wed and found out nine days later on the Fri.

Those who were sadly unsuccessful were all told in less than a week. I think this is because if you have been successful, someone at HR needs to take the time to actually phone you (in my case anyway), whereas unsuccessful folk generally just get emailed.
hope that helps, good luck.
shugs

I will also be sitting my stage 1 test on March 30th in Manchester...I'm getting more and more nervous the more i read these replies....but never mind...are you in the am or pm sitting?
im finding it hard to find any practise tests to do other than the ones they send.
Does anyone know where i can find some more?
Thanks alot

To everyone with their stage 1 coming up - Good luck.

I had my stage 2 today. It's really difficult to know how it went. The motivational paper was fine. The interview was slightly strange - having no feedback was a little concerning but I just said what I felt most suited myeslf. The computer test was awful. I can definitely see myself failing it. With a bit of luck however I didn't. All in all - very long day and I'm seriously hoping for some good news after it all. Again, thanks for all the help.

smoking
 

i know it might be an obvious one, but should being a smoker have a negative effect on my application? are there other atc's who smoke out there?

i'm not a heavy smoker, but just wondering if it would have a bad effect on my medical etc.

any advice would be greatly appreciated

As part of the class one medical your lung capacity and peak flow will be measured, so it may have an effect on that, but I certainly know some people who smoke and have class one medicals.

Best read the detailed medical info document on the natscareers site.

Sitting a personality test is part of the normal assessment procedure now. Go along and enjoy your day:)

AM @ manchester

Hey Marco glad to hear you got to sit your Stage 2 :)

Best of luck, my fingers are crossed :P

Andy

The waiting game is on! While I'm hanging about I'd like to organise a tower visit to Gatwick or Heathrow.

I've already got a date for Swanwick - but I'd much prefer an area and tower visit - it would be great if anyone could help me out with some contact details or advice on how to get a visit. PM me or post here.

Thanks very much in advance.

Hi marco888

gd luck with S2 :)

I organised my tower visits through HR in Swanwick, give them a ring and they should be able to give you a contact at Gatwick/Heathrow.

Just been invited to my stage 2! Obviously with it being in fareham I am going to have to stay overnight in a hotel, can anybody reccomend anywhere close to the complex?

Thanks

Ajfaccini,

HR recommends the Premier Inn at Fareham (£64 a night if my memory is right). I stayed there for my S2, but you need to run it past HR first (overnight stays are not normally allowed apparently). A quick call explaining how far away you live (for me, nearly 600 miles) seems to do the trick.

Thanks mate, I noticed the premier inn, think its £62 so yeh sounds like the same one, phoned them earlier on but will do so again.

Thanks.

Kristov,

My friend was also on the Stage 3 on 20th Feb in London and has not heard anything yet either. Let me know when you hear something or i'll let you know if he hears.

I've got my Stage 3 on Monday at CTC. Got 3 days off to finish my prep after today. Hope everything goes well.

S1 - 30th March
 

Anyone here attending S1 on the 30th of March AM slot in London?

I passed stage 2. I am so so happy! I'm trying not to get too ahead of myself of course but it's difficult - I think I'll enjoy it for this evening and then get my head down for stage 3!

There aren't any London dates at the moment so I'll have to wait to book myself in. Hopefully not too long. A month preparation would feel good. Not too long or short.

Thanks again for all the help here.

There you go then Marco. All that worrying never put you off one bit apparently ;)

Getting to Stage 3 is quite an achievment they tell us. So congrats :)

At least this time round you will focus on exactly what date you're booked in for ;) (Thats rich coming from me lol).

Get loads of prep in. After all, it's only a few weeks of being a hermit which may result in you getting the job :)

Best of luck
Andy

Ha - well I take these set backs in my stride and use them to my advantage! ;)

No but really, I was just disappointed that after all the prep. I made a silly mistake like that.

The other three candidates seemed very good on that day. I wonder how many got through.

Hi

I'm going for the S1 in the next couple of weeks and just going through the information. Can anyone tell me if I'm require to learn the info about each of the different aircraft.

Cheers

did mine a few weeks ago, you will be tested on a few different bits about different aircraft, ie seperations for tubulance and speeds/heights, long story short, yes!

Hiya guy
 

I am doing my A-levels yet but i am really interested in ATC
i was wonderin weather anyone could give me any hints or tips on if i should go 4 it or wot

pm me plz

Thanks

PS i jus created 1 of these accounts and dont have a clue wat to do lol:ugh:

just go for it mate. Just remember you cant apply till your 18 and you can't hold a radar license till your 21 so its a bit of a wait yet,

Cheers for the info mate

it's much appreciated

Hi all, just wonderin if anyone who has been to stage one recently can tell me how long they had to wait to get their results back?
I went to stage 1 at manchester on 27th feb, so ive only been waiting 8 days but im sure everyone can relate to feeling a bit impatient!:)

Hi Ellie,

We sure can relate to feeling impatient! However, be prepared to wait the full 15 working days - if you get your results back any sooner, count it as a bonus. Also, get used to waiting because if you do get any further, you'll have a lot more waiting to do - it's awful!

CJayne

Pdf request
 

Hi Uordom,

I am going to the first stage on the 13th March.
Could I have your Pdf file, please?

That would eliminate loads of uncertainty I believe.

Thanks very much!!!!!!!!!!!

Zoltan

medical
 

for those who have recently done the NATS medical, how long a wait is it until you know if you have passed?

Can they tell you then and there pending urine/blood? tests, or is it another waiting game?

thanks
shugs

Shugs,

I was told on the day the results of my medical (pending urinaliysis)

The way that the day progresses and the friendly chatter that is thrown back and forth you will know if there is anything that could stand in the way.

As far as I know, if you pass the NATS medical you won't see anything as a result (i.e. no paperwork etc). If you fail the NATS medical, I assume they will let you know on the day. They generally summarise each test with you after completing it. If, like me, you are a case for concern then you will be asked to book in with the CAA doctors at earliest convenience.

I had a potential problem with a head injury I sustained 10 years ago and the NATS doctor sent me for my CAA medical straight away to make sure their neurologist gave me the all clear. He did :) and now I am starting on the 5th May xD

If theres anything that you feel is concerning at the medical, just ask. The doctor and nurse that I had were very open and friendly and had no bother in explaining what each of the tests stood for and how my results compared to others in my age group (just to see if I am still "fit":ok:).

Best of luck,
Andy

hey everyone
 

i no i can apply for the course at 18 but will they call me in to stage 1 like soon after i apply or will they wait until i am at a certain age so that when they call me in for the course i will graduate at 21 so i can hold a radar licence.

If that makes any sense plz reply to this lol

Thanks :ok:

Shugs: I had exactly the same experience as Andy. Although I had no random injuries which had cause for concern, I've also been sent to the CAA immediately (they seem to want to get everyone to do this asap) - my CAA medical is on Friday. A trip to Gatwick for you soon I think...

Abz217 - Most likely is that you'll be asked to book a Stage 1 date very shortly after applying (once you are 18). It takes a few months to get through all the selection and medicals (I started this stuff in October 2008 and only am just finishing off stuff now), and then you'll have to wait for a course date, so I imagine by that point, you'll be 21 by the time the radar licence stuff comes along. And if you don't make it first time, it'll take even longer... :(

Hope that helps!

Thanks paperclip
 

I was wonderin if you could answer a few more questions but i dont want to ask to many questions lol but im really interested in this and well if you dont mind would you answer these questions lol

Is it compulsary to have A-levels to do the course or will it make it easier for me to pass to the next stage?
How long does the interview process last for cuz there are lyk 3 stages to it which i have heard of!!! Are there any more?
What type of stuff do you have to do at each stage?
How long does the actual course last at the college?

Thanks much appreciated:)

hey abz,

I don't know if its compulsary to have them, I presume it would make it easier but I havent seen anywhere mention A Levels.
If I remember rightly recruitment say at the minute the process start to finish is 12 months if you pass it all first time round.

Stage 1: Tests and get to meet and talk to an ATC,
After Stage 1 you do a personality questionnare,
If you pass the personality questionnaire then you fil out an extended application form.
Stage 2: Computer tests and a structured interview.
Not to certain after Stage 2 but some-one else will know.

At the college they reckon you will be there between 9 and 12 months, if you pass everything first time round.

Hope this helps.

Hi Abz217

The minimum requirements before application can be found here, but include “five (5) GCSEs/Standard Grades (or equivalent) at grade C or above, including English Language and Maths”.

Difficult to say whether number and type of A levels affects how well you progress, but the tests at the three stages are concerned with ability to learn information, thought processes, personality mainly, not sure what the correlation is.

The interview process varies wildly. My first application was submitted in July 2007 which I failed. Second application in August 2008, and I now have my medical at beginning of April, looking to start July/August 2009. Can be done a lot quicker though depends on college places and application timing. Some others on here have suggested not delaying your application though because NATS cant guarantee they will still be recruiting months down the line, especially given economic climate (not sure how true this is).

Not going to go into detail about the stages, read this whole thread and you will get all the info you could need.

College takes between 6-12months, assuming you pass stuff first time, and depending on your preferred discipline.

shugs

Hi all!

This is a really pedantic question, but as you are all so helpful I though I would ask :)

I have just been asked to do a personality questionnaire (post stage 1) but was wondering if once I started to do it, I would have to finish it there and then? i.e. am I able to log out once started, so that I can re-do bits later?

I only ask this because I am currently at work, but want to take a sneaky peak at some of the questions :ok:

Cheers all,

Paul