Anyone work as an air traffic controller?
Discussion
I saw a job advertised as a 'trainee air traffic controller'. The wage was phenomenal and no experience was required - just a hell of a lot of aptitude - one's possession of which would be measured at the various pre-consideration-for-appointment interviews. I was tempted but one of the prerequisites was an 'exceptional' short-term memory and mine is far from my strongest point. I figured that multiple air-crash deaths was something I could do without having on my conscience, so I decided to leave it.
MitchT said:
I saw a job advertised as a 'trainee air traffic controller'. The wage was phenomenal and no experience was required - just a hell of a lot of aptitude - one's possession of which would be measured at the various pre-consideration-for-appointment interviews. I was tempted but one of the prerequisites was an 'exceptional' short-term memory and mine is far from my strongest point. I figured that multiple air-crash deaths was something I could do without having on my conscience, so I decided to leave it.
That's the ad that I saw too. I'm sure that the money would be very helpful to forget the deaths!!! Only joking! I suppose it is a high responsibility job but there are so many safety back ups and of course the pilots judgement. How many air crashes have been caused in UK airspace by atc in the last 10 years??Edited by Tessabelle on Friday 11th January 18:12
Edited by Tessabelle on Friday 11th January 18:13
Tessabelle said:
euroboy said:
Yes I am training to be one - what specifically do you want to know? email or post in the thread.
What are the tests like?Don't bother with the aptitude stuff, just practice saying ATC phrases suggestively, perhaps add your own bits on at the end. . .
"Speedbird 59 you are cleared to descend Flight Level 350 . . . I'm unbuttoning my blouse"
"Air France 3012 fly direct to SAM VOR. . . . HMM i'm touching myself"
"Easy 1956 clear to land. . . . . . I'm rubbing your joystick"
etc etc.
euroboy said:
Firstly, check out the ATC section of the www.pprune.com forums - heaps of useful info in there.
Im actually training in Holland with Eurocontrol, which is the Benelux equivalent of NATS, however I also took the NATS tests.
The tests change fairly regularly, so im somewhat reluctant to say 'ABC' will definitely happen, because when you turn up it might have changed into 'DEF'.
Generally they look for the following things in ATC trainees:
-Ability to make quick and accurate decisions.
-Adaptability - you must be able to change (and change again) your plan as the situation develops.
-Mental endurance - You might have to work for 2 1/2 hrs at the console in busy traffic. You have to be able to keep the performance high all of the way through!
-Good (but I wouldnt say exceptional) short term memory. It makes it easier if you can keep the callsign, heading, speed, level etc in your head - but at the end of the day its all there on the screen to look at should you forget.
-Multitasking - It goes without saying that you are going to be doing 20 things at once, and you need to prioritise what needs doing when.
-Team player - You might be the most prodigious ATC in the world, but if you dont fit in/keep your head down etc, then you wont get anywhere. You always work in pairs, and the controllers are constantly rotating, so you really do have to be able to get on with everyone.
The tests they give you will only seek to judge you on the above qualities. I remember I had to make cubes out of nets, perform mental arithmetic whilst sorting shapes (with consecutively harder sums and sorting rules).
I also had to do some basic controlling, team work tasks, decision making tasks and a panel interview followed by a medical.
Theres not a lot you can do to prepare for the tests, go down there with a clear mind and have a good nights sleep. For the later tests and interviews you will also need a basic knowledge of aircraft and their performance and some knowledge of NATS.
If you want any pointers on the job in general let me know - I can confirm its bloody good fun, beats working for a living and is generally a great laugh. Stressful from time to time, especially during training where there is no job security.
Good luck.
p.s. the idea that you need to make some sort of mental 3D image in your head, with all the aircraft whooshing around is total borrox. Of all the controllers I know I think there is 1, maybe 2 who visualise the traffic in this way.
Thanks very much I'll see how I do on Tuesday then I might have other questions.Im actually training in Holland with Eurocontrol, which is the Benelux equivalent of NATS, however I also took the NATS tests.
The tests change fairly regularly, so im somewhat reluctant to say 'ABC' will definitely happen, because when you turn up it might have changed into 'DEF'.
Generally they look for the following things in ATC trainees:
-Ability to make quick and accurate decisions.
-Adaptability - you must be able to change (and change again) your plan as the situation develops.
-Mental endurance - You might have to work for 2 1/2 hrs at the console in busy traffic. You have to be able to keep the performance high all of the way through!
-Good (but I wouldnt say exceptional) short term memory. It makes it easier if you can keep the callsign, heading, speed, level etc in your head - but at the end of the day its all there on the screen to look at should you forget.
-Multitasking - It goes without saying that you are going to be doing 20 things at once, and you need to prioritise what needs doing when.
-Team player - You might be the most prodigious ATC in the world, but if you dont fit in/keep your head down etc, then you wont get anywhere. You always work in pairs, and the controllers are constantly rotating, so you really do have to be able to get on with everyone.
The tests they give you will only seek to judge you on the above qualities. I remember I had to make cubes out of nets, perform mental arithmetic whilst sorting shapes (with consecutively harder sums and sorting rules).
I also had to do some basic controlling, team work tasks, decision making tasks and a panel interview followed by a medical.
Theres not a lot you can do to prepare for the tests, go down there with a clear mind and have a good nights sleep. For the later tests and interviews you will also need a basic knowledge of aircraft and their performance and some knowledge of NATS.
If you want any pointers on the job in general let me know - I can confirm its bloody good fun, beats working for a living and is generally a great laugh. Stressful from time to time, especially during training where there is no job security.
Good luck.
p.s. the idea that you need to make some sort of mental 3D image in your head, with all the aircraft whooshing around is total borrox. Of all the controllers I know I think there is 1, maybe 2 who visualise the traffic in this way.
dave_s13 said:
Where was this advertised? Is it still open for applicants?
I fancy a crack at it too.
My bf saw it in the daily wail. Go to www.natscareers.co.uk to applyI fancy a crack at it too.
Cheers for that....just looking into a complete change of career (again) and this seems like a cool thing to do for a liviing.
Trouble is I don't really have any aviation experience other than being a regular passenger. I do find planes fascinating though and reckon I'd enjoy learning a bit more about them. Does this rule me out before I've even started??
Trouble is I don't really have any aviation experience other than being a regular passenger. I do find planes fascinating though and reckon I'd enjoy learning a bit more about them. Does this rule me out before I've even started??
Edited by dave_s13 on Friday 11th January 18:52
euroboy said:
stovey said:
Tessabelle said:
euroboy said:
Yes I am training to be one - what specifically do you want to know? email or post in the thread.
What are the tests like?Don't bother with the aptitude stuff, just practice saying ATC phrases suggestively, perhaps add your own bits on at the end. . .
"Speedbird 59 you are cleared to descend Flight Level 350 . . . I'm unbuttoning my blouse"
"Air France 3012 fly direct to SAM VOR. . . . HMM i'm touching myself"
"Easy 1956 clear to land. . . . . . I'm rubbing your joystick"
etc etc.
ETA Have you heard of the Canadian Tetes a claques?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqSiUftPX7g
Edited by Driller on Friday 11th January 21:18
I was training with NATS as one until about 4 months ago.
I now work for NATS in a different role at the College of Air Traffic Control.
Any questions, fire away!
By the way, the reason I'm not one anymore, is I failed an Area exam and subsequently resigned so I can re-apply in the future
Best of luck!
I now work for NATS in a different role at the College of Air Traffic Control.
Any questions, fire away!
By the way, the reason I'm not one anymore, is I failed an Area exam and subsequently resigned so I can re-apply in the future
Best of luck!
euroboy said:
dave_s13 said:
Cheers for that....just looking into a complete change of career (again) and this seems like a cool thing to do for a living.
Trouble is I don't really have any aviation experience other than being a regular passenger. I do find planes fascinating though and reckon I'd enjoy learning a bit more about them. Does this rule me out before I've even started??
Nope not at all. You might find that basic aircraft knowledge makes certain parts of the theoretical training easier, but it bears no impact on whether you will be recruited or not. My mate didn't (and still doesn't) know jack sh1t about aircraft, except they fly through some sort of voodoo and they all look the same (little green dot with a thin line coming out of it Trouble is I don't really have any aviation experience other than being a regular passenger. I do find planes fascinating though and reckon I'd enjoy learning a bit more about them. Does this rule me out before I've even started??
Edited by dave_s13 on Friday 11th January 18:52
).Eurocontrol do still flout European law by imposing a max age of 25 on recruitment (due to pension regulations I think). I don't think that there is a max age limit for NATS however.
40 is the max, because otherwise the training is actually a waste of money for them...
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