Guest burbles1 Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 During my ab initio training, I was taken up the tower at Camden in one of their quieter moments. Those guys are great. I was amazed that in this age of computer wizardry, they still use cards to keep track of traffic rather than anything digital (and therefore liable to failure). I'd love to go up again and just hang out for an hour.
Ballpoint 246niner Posted December 13, 2011 Posted December 13, 2011 Years ago when I was a rep for HGFA on RAPAC, I arranged a visit for a bunch of Hangies to Eagle Farm( Bris), they were amazed at the good nature of all the controllers, and yes, the same simple sophistication. The idea was to help curb VCA's , but it did a lot more in time and every pilot should do this at some stage- there just normal( great) people doing a hard job trying to keep us all safe up there.
Flygirltam Posted December 14, 2011 Posted December 14, 2011 Years ago when I was a rep for HGFA on RAPAC, I arranged a visit for a bunch of Hangies to Eagle Farm( Bris), they were amazed at the good nature of all the controllers, and yes, the same simple sophistication. The idea was to help curb VCA's , but it did a lot more in time and every pilot should do this at some stage- there just normal( great) people doing a hard job trying to keep us all safe up there. I was lucky enough to get a tour of BNE tower 2 weeks ago, those guys and gals were awesome! And the view was pretty good too!
kaz3g Posted December 14, 2011 Posted December 14, 2011 During my ab initio training, I was taken up the tower at Camden in one of their quieter moments. Those guys are great. I was amazed that in this age of computer wizardry, they still use cards to keep track of traffic rather than anything digital (and therefore liable to failure). I'd love to go up again and just hang out for an hour. I was invited up to the YBAS twr after a bit of engine trouble enroute between Tennant and the Alice. Can't say enough good things about them. kaz
kgwilson Posted January 3, 2012 Posted January 3, 2012 I have always had the highest regard for the ATC guys and visited the tower on many occasions at Hamilton NZ for a chat & coffee. The tower was also only 10 metres from the Aero club bar and they often visited us there. A number were club members as well. I remember having to shout the ATC crew after issuing a Mayday call during training (finger just automatically hit the PTT button) and I enjoyed getting them to laugh. Once after returning from a family christmas on boxing day with my wife and dog, I made the request to enter the zone "Piper FWS, 10 miles south, 1500 feet, 2 POB, 1 DOG, 2 bellies full of food & grog & a bunch of Christmas presents, request entry and landing instructions". There was a long silence & Nathan ( now Chief Air Traffic Controller at Wellington International) finally came back through fits of laughter with the approval and landing instructions. They were also brilliant at helping out when things went a bit pear shaped. 1
facthunter Posted January 3, 2012 Posted January 3, 2012 Anyone who can arrange a visit should do it. It will open your eyes to what goes on. Nev
Guest Howard Hughes Posted January 10, 2012 Posted January 10, 2012 Have been lucky enough to visit Melbourne, Essendon, Moorabbin, Albury, Sydney, Coffs and Memphis towers over the years, it's great to see what goes on over the other side of the microphone! Of course tower controllers have it easy compared to enroute controllers...
shags_j Posted January 10, 2012 Posted January 10, 2012 Has anyone here ever sat the entrance tests to get into airservices as an en route controller?
Ballpoint 246niner Posted January 11, 2012 Posted January 11, 2012 I did the ATC 30 yrs ago and fluncked terribly- too muh multi tasking stress for a 18 yo then. Passed the fallback FIS exam and interviews but went elsewhere in my employment. I take my hat off to them all....
Suitman Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 Hope I can pull it off. Good luck Shags ... Let us know how you go. Peter
Flygirltam Posted January 18, 2012 Posted January 18, 2012 Best of luck Shags, I have a mate currently in Melb doing the training, he is also a pilot with over 300 hrs. He said its full on and very challenging, but is really doing well at it. I think his aviation background is a big +++++
av8vfr Posted January 18, 2012 Posted January 18, 2012 Hey FGTam, just read you were in SE QLD back in Dec.....PM me next time in town and I will organise a guided tour of the Great South East for your viewing pleasure if you wish.... PS best of luck Shags...
shags_j Posted January 18, 2012 Posted January 18, 2012 Thanks for the best wishes. From what I hear getting in is just the start of the hard work...
FlyingVizsla Posted January 18, 2012 Posted January 18, 2012 Has anyone here ever sat the entrance tests to get into airservices as an en route controller? I did the whole shooting match some years ago and was accepted, however TAATS was just being launched and the Union argued that the guys who were going to be made redundant by the new technology, should be retrained ahead of new recruits. So I went on to other things. Guess it has changed a lot since then - they now have an on-line "test" for example. Back then it was basically a written application which got you into a preliminary assessment centre (about 3 hours of tests) which got you an interview, which got you into the weekend intensive assessment, which got you an offer of a training place. Hundreds down to about 20. The tests were memory, multi tasking, mental maths, keeping up under pressure, following verbal instructions, spatial ability (stick figure man upside down, backwards etc - which hand is he holding up?), team exercises. Back then they were highly paid, now I guess some of the gloss is off the job as the pay isn't perceived to be as good as other sectors, like mines. Regardless; Good Luck Shags! Sue
shags_j Posted January 18, 2012 Posted January 18, 2012 Yeah now it's online test, phone interview, day at assessment center, reference check, start training. The pay still seems pretty good though. Better than what I'm doing now and more importantly get to be around aviation all day...
Paul Willett Posted January 25, 2012 Posted January 25, 2012 Good luck to anyone considering applying and starting a career as an ATC. There is certainly a need for new people at the moment - none of us are getting any younger. Make sure that if you organise a tour you arrange it to 'sit in' with the controller on a busy Enroute or Approach sector as well. Sometimes the 'PR' tour is not what you are looking for as either an aviator, or a prospective ATC. 1
Admin Posted January 25, 2012 Posted January 25, 2012 Off topic (and sorry) but welcome back Paul...haven't seen you here for a long time...still working as an ATC?
shags_j Posted February 8, 2012 Posted February 8, 2012 Assessment Today. Not sure how I went (but then everyone was feeling doubtful so I guess it's made to be that way). Fingers crossed I suppose...
pudestcon Posted February 9, 2012 Posted February 9, 2012 Assessment Today. Not sure how I went (but then everyone was feeling doubtful so I guess it's made to be that way). Fingers crossed I suppose... Good luck shags Pud
nathan_c Posted February 9, 2012 Posted February 9, 2012 How long did it take you to.reach assessment shags? I applied a couple of weeks ago and really want to get in :p
shags_j Posted February 9, 2012 Posted February 9, 2012 Best advice I can give is be patient. I applied in October ;)
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