has anyone thought about ATC sponsorship??
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has anyone thought about ATC sponsorship??
Just wondering if anyone here has thought about applying for an ATC scholarship with NATS or Eurocontrol. Its extremely relevant to Piloting and the transition between it and getting yourself an ATPL should be a lot easier. 2 and a half years of training plus say 4 years to earn yourself some decent cash, not long in terms of your whole career, plus it would probably make you a ‘more informed’ pilot. NATS and Eurocontrol are currently recruiting student ATCs and the aptitudes are extremely similar to that of the CEPs. Its gotta be better than waiting for the CEPs to re-open, and at least you would be studying stuff that you enjoy safe in the knowledge that your transition into piloting WAS going to happen, because you would be able to fund it given a few years of saving?
Just a thought.
Just a thought.
Not such a bad idea for someone fresh out of A levels looking for a good start.
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You'd better be careful about covering up your true intentions should you get to interview and beyond. Like most companies, NATS are not keen on spending vast amounts of money training you only for you to up sticks as soon as the real goal is achieved. Having said that, they have not yet gone down the bonding road...
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Good helpfull comment Prof Fog..just the sort of help that's needed ...well done 
Not such a daft idea moo, indeed I think threre is about 15hrs flying involved in the course to give you flight exp.
Who knows it may even be a good enjoyable job which gives you the cash to be an FI in your spare time before you burn yoursef out!!
Not such a daft idea moo, indeed I think threre is about 15hrs flying involved in the course to give you flight exp.
Who knows it may even be a good enjoyable job which gives you the cash to be an FI in your spare time before you burn yoursef out!!
Last edited by clear prop!!!; 30th May 2002 at 08:17.
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Went to the NATS school in 98 on a visit whilst I was still working in the military. Believe the cost of training is about £30k to the student (NATS pay the rest). It is very hard work and the starting salaries for junior controllers are not great I believe. And you wont be straight of to Swanwick or West Drayton either - much more likely to be giving a FIS to a Cessna at a small field to start with. It seems like a sound idea but I believe careful cost research and likely income must be closely considered.
Timzsta, i have always thought about going into ATC bfore becoming a pilot. I have searched on the forums for other similar articles, but i couldnt find anything , so i'm glad you mentioned this!
How long are you bonded with nats for after graduating?? Also i thought that NATS wouldn't be too happy to find out that you were leaving to do become a pilot after spending large sums of money on your training!
Any comments??
P.S. Do NATS take on trainees after they have left school or do they prefer then to have a degree/further qualifications??
Many Thanks
How long are you bonded with nats for after graduating?? Also i thought that NATS wouldn't be too happy to find out that you were leaving to do become a pilot after spending large sums of money on your training!
Any comments??
P.S. Do NATS take on trainees after they have left school or do they prefer then to have a degree/further qualifications??
Many Thanks
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Thought about it too......BUT I'd fail the eyesight requirements for an ATCO, even though I could get a JAA class one !!!!!
What a bizarre situation!!!!
lets hope they change that soon.
What a bizarre situation!!!!
lets hope they change that soon.
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A lot of incorrect information in the last few posts.
There is NO cost to the student if employed by NATS as a Student ATCO. The salary levels are approximately as already spelt out. There is NO bonding arrangement on either side. Indeed, if you fail the course at any time you can be out on your ear pretty quickly.
The course is divided half way into Area and Approach specifications. Selection for both disciplines and subsequent posting is nominally subject to personal preference but in fact will be to whatever suits NATS. Thus you are just as likely to be sent to LACC Swanwick as you are to Sumburgh (usually the Scottish bloke gets Swanwick and the Hampshire bloke gets Sumburgh!!).
With regard to prior qualifications, you'd better check the NATS website for details on those, but from my own experience I, with a degree and five years' experience in commerce, was on same course as a school leaver.
I suggest you refer to the thread you started on this subject in ATC Issues for a more realistic assessment of what is required.
Be under no illusion: it is not an easy course. It lasts 18 months at the college (with some time at other units and yes 15 hours' flying) and is called continuous assessment. This means constant scrutiny of your performance at all times, and some people find this difficult to handle. Having completed the course you get sent to your unit where you may wait up to two years to start validation training which in itself can take another 18 months. Only then, as a validated controller, do you earn full pay and have some job security.
If you really are only thinking of it a way of paying for flying exams and on a way to an airline job then I think you might find it all a bit much.
If however you want to do a CPL/FI and instruct in your somewhat plentiful time off (once you are on shifts at your unit) then that is another story...
There is NO cost to the student if employed by NATS as a Student ATCO. The salary levels are approximately as already spelt out. There is NO bonding arrangement on either side. Indeed, if you fail the course at any time you can be out on your ear pretty quickly.
The course is divided half way into Area and Approach specifications. Selection for both disciplines and subsequent posting is nominally subject to personal preference but in fact will be to whatever suits NATS. Thus you are just as likely to be sent to LACC Swanwick as you are to Sumburgh (usually the Scottish bloke gets Swanwick and the Hampshire bloke gets Sumburgh!!).
With regard to prior qualifications, you'd better check the NATS website for details on those, but from my own experience I, with a degree and five years' experience in commerce, was on same course as a school leaver.
I suggest you refer to the thread you started on this subject in ATC Issues for a more realistic assessment of what is required.
Be under no illusion: it is not an easy course. It lasts 18 months at the college (with some time at other units and yes 15 hours' flying) and is called continuous assessment. This means constant scrutiny of your performance at all times, and some people find this difficult to handle. Having completed the course you get sent to your unit where you may wait up to two years to start validation training which in itself can take another 18 months. Only then, as a validated controller, do you earn full pay and have some job security.
If you really are only thinking of it a way of paying for flying exams and on a way to an airline job then I think you might find it all a bit much.
If however you want to do a CPL/FI and instruct in your somewhat plentiful time off (once you are on shifts at your unit) then that is another story...
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I went through all the aptitudes for the scheme about 4 years ago, did fine until the interview, then I think they sussed that I really was not interested in it as a long term thing and could see that I was a pilot incognito. I don't think it is something you should commit lightly too just because the airlines are not recruiting/sponsoring at the minute. I would find something less demanding.
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Yup... you seriously have to figure out where your loyalties lie. Being someone with about 500h in my logbook, I obviously got a hard time at the interview for a student ATCO position. However my reasons for crossing the floor were genuine, and I'm glad I made the change (and very glad I got the job!).
My advice would be to find out more about it as a career, decide if it's for you and whether you'd prefer to do it than flying. There are essentially two employers to choose from: Eurocontrol and NATS.
My advice would be to find out more about it as a career, decide if it's for you and whether you'd prefer to do it than flying. There are essentially two employers to choose from: Eurocontrol and NATS.
