NATS

[dwilkie]

Hey guys,

I know there's several people here who work for NATS and I've read all the posts I could find. Basically I have my first interview with them in London on 25th February, and I really want to do well here so would anyone be able to give me advice as to what I need to brush up on before hand? Obviously I'm going to need to go over my maths again and that kind of thing as I haven't really used it much for a long time, but is there anything else worth reading up on/practicing?

[dwilkie]

Oops, sorry mods, my bad

[sniff diesel]

Euroboy is an ATC as well as a couple of others on here. I passed all the tests early last year only to fail at the final interview, but managed to get the job of my dreams a few months later so didn't mind. The only advice I can give you is read up everything you can and ATC to give yourself as much knowledge as possible before hand.

[sniff diesel]

Here was the original thread from last year:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[dwilkie]

Aye, I read that one and it did have a lot of useful stuff in it. There was some more info I need to print out that their people sent through with the email. I guess I'm just looking for cheeky insier tips (a secret handshake that guarantees an automatic pass would be LOVELY )

[LukeBird]

I presume by applying to NATS, you mean as a Trainee ATCO?
If that's the case, plenty of useful information here -
http://www.pprune.org/atc-issues/265195-nats-inter...

[dwilkie]

That's the one - that's the link I was trying to find and for some reason I was blind as a bat and couldn't see it!

[Tony*T3]

Maths is a good idea but so is a bit of spatial awareness practice. Can you tell your left from your right and your up from your down? Can you calculate closing speeds and distances? Do you know your geography inside out? Can you read a map? Do you understand directions?

What risks would you take when air traffic controlling?

st pay for trainees.

[dwilkie]

Yeah, good points there Tony, thanks.

As for the pay, picking it out of the list, by the time it goes through I'll have no debts, I'm only paying £280 a month rent as I'm sharing, so it's not really an issue. I'll just have to tighten my belt for a bit is all. I just want something that will really challenge me and force me to push myself - if I'm not forced to work hard I tend to get bored of jobs, always have done.

Ironically the job I've enjoyed most was probably temping at ParcelForce as I was constantly busy and didn't have time to be bored. However that's not a career, or not for me anyway, but I think Air traffic control would also really push and challenge me and that's something I can get excited about as a career.

[Tony*T3]

dwilkie said:

Yeah, good points there Tony, thanks.

As for the pay, picking it out of the list, by the time it goes through I'll have no debts, I'm only paying £280 a month rent as I'm sharing, so it's not really an issue. I'll just have to tighten my belt for a bit is all. I just want something that will really challenge me and force me to push myself - if I'm not forced to work hard I tend to get bored of jobs, always have done.

Ironically the job I've enjoyed most was probably temping at ParcelForce as I was constantly busy and didn't have time to be bored. However that's not a career, or not for me anyway, but I think Air traffic control would also really push and challenge me and that's something I can get excited about as a career.

You didnt answer the question....

What risks would you take when controlling Air traffic?

[dwilkie]

None that are avoidable. Though no doubt it's a trick question.

[ultegra]

He will have been trolling for whether you calculate risks or not or some equally "know all" response.

[dwilkie]

So I've fallen at the first hurdle as I would just try to avoid any risk then? At least I've got time to work on this kind of thing!

[Fittster]

dwilkie said:

That's the one - that's the link I was trying to find and for some reason I was blind as a bat and couldn't see it!

Is this a good sign for someone wanting to join NATS?

[dwilkie]

Haha, seemingly not. In my defence for some reason I was thinking of a totally different link. Not that I need to defend myself to you lot

[ultegra]

If its any consolation, ATC demands some peculiar attributes.

I passed aircrew selection for the RAF back in the 80s and was okayed for Pilot and Navigator, and a whole range of ground roles. I was not deemed a good training risk for ATC or Fighter Control though... go figure..

[anonymous-user]

You need to watch that 'pushing tin' film. Learn some of the lingo an that. . .

Nick Falzone: [to Russell Bell] I'm personally going to see to it that you go down in flames!
Aeroplane Pilot: What?
Nick Falzone: Negative, United. That was not to you. Not to you!

Or any of the 'Airplane' stuff. NATS interviewers love that st.

Roger Murdock: Flight 2-0-9'er, you are cleared for take-off.
Captain Oveur: Roger!
Roger Murdock: Huh?
Tower voice: L.A. departure frequency, 123 point 9'er.
Captain Oveur: Roger!
Roger Murdock: Huh?
Victor Basta: Request vector, over.
Captain Oveur: What?
Tower voice: Flight 2-0-9'er cleared for vector 324.
Roger Murdock: We have clearance, Clarence.
Captain Oveur: Roger, Roger. What's our vector, Victor?
Tower voice: Tower's radio clearance, over!
Captain Oveur: That's Clarence Oveur. Over.
Tower voice: Over.
Captain Oveur: Roger.
Roger Murdock: Huh?
Tower voice: Roger, over!
Roger Murdock: What?
Captain Oveur: Huh?
Victor Basta: Who?

[dwilkie]

That was my dream job, I always wanted to fly But sadly I buggered about at school and by the time I'd decided to rectify it, I was too old!

[Tony*T3]

ultegra said:

He will have been trolling for whether you calculate risks or not or some equally "know all" response.

Trolling? He asked a question, I've given him some pretty big advice for his initial interview. At least my responce has content, where as yours is actually the "know all" response.

Its a pretty standard NATS question. Most people respond that they wouldnt take any risks. Wouldnt want the lad to fail at the first hurdle just because he didnt understand the english language properly.

Dwilkie, your answer isnt right. Everything you do in life is a risk, and getting 100 aircraft an hour in/out of heathrow will be full of risks. Accidents and incedents are avoidable, risks aren't.


maths is the key to initial interviews though. If your crap at maths you are no where.

[dwilkie]

Tony*T3 said:

Trolling? He asked a question, I've given him some pretty big advice for his initial interview. At least my responce has content, where as yours is actually the "know all" response.

Its a pretty standard NATS question. Most people respond that they wouldnt take any risks. Wouldnt want the lad to fail at the first hurdle just because he didnt understand the english language properly.

Dwilkie, your answer isnt right. Everything you do in life is a risk, and getting 100 aircraft an hour in/out of heathrow will be full of risks. Accidents and incedents are avoidable, risks aren't.


maths is the key to initial interviews though. If your crap at maths you are no where.

Thanks Tony. Luckily I've always done alright at maths, though bizarrely I seem to be better at it under pressure.

That was why I figured I'd go with no avoidable risks, but I guess that's just the worlds biggest cop-out answer anyway so I can completely see your point.