Air Traffic Controller

Neo# · 31-07-2007 7:03am #1

This type of job has always appealed to me. Ive heard its tough to get into and a stressful job but would seriously think about about it if the opportunity came up. Does anyone know if its possible to do it in this country? Ive checked www.iaa.com a few times over the last couple of years but there are no vacancies. Anyone know the next time they will be taking trainees?

mikemac · 31-07-2007 7:08am

I'd check out this forum for all things aviation.
You might find something and it has a lot of content specific to Ireland

http://www.pprune.org/forums/

Neo# · 31-07-2007 7:33am

Will do thx:)

highlydebased · 31-07-2007 8:41pm

They take students nearly every year at the training facility at Shannon

They generally dont keep many on however

While it may be a great qualification/skill, you may have to travel for a job

Timmy_d · 31-07-2007 8:50pm

Neon-Circles wrote:

They take students nearly every year at the training facility at Shannon

They generally dont keep many on however

While it may be a great qualification/skill, you may have to travel for a job

Do you know do the shannon facility advertise or how would i get info on them?

therecklessone · 31-07-2007 8:56pm

The IAA have taken on very few trainees since the start of this decade, two full intakes of 24 plus a mixed intake of 12 Irish/12 Icelandic students.

The age profile of controllers in the company means that some effort will have to be made to address future staff shortages, whether that will be by taking on new trainees or by direct intake of qualified controllers is yet to be decided.

The company is currently in negotiations with the controllers union re. pay and conditions, I'd expect some move to be made on staffing once those negotiations are concluded.

Neo#, I am fairly certain that you can ask HR at the IAA to place you on an interest list so that they will contact you if they do start recruiting new trainees.

As an alternative, take a look at the UK's NATS. They have regular intakes of trainees.

therecklessone · 31-07-2007 9:00pm

Timmy_d wrote:

Do you know do the shannon facility advertise or how would i get info on them?

They will advertise in the national press if a class is taken on.

Alternatively, contact HR at the IAA to express an interest, they should contact you if they take recruits on.

http://www.iaa.ie/contacts_list.asp?ID=6

dame · 01-08-2007 5:37pm

Ever consider joining the aer corps? They have their own ATC people. I'd say you'd have to join up in the regular way and then wait for a course to be advertised internally.

Conor108 · 01-08-2007 5:45pm

I'd say VATSIM would give you a great idea of what its like. Basically, on those microsoft flight sim games, you can play online with real people flying and real people controlling. Its very popular. To fly you have to own the game but its free to ATC. Just register and download VRC. VRC simulates the radar system used by air traffic controllers to guide aircraft along their routes through the simulated world on VATSIM.

VATSIM home page
VRC client
Vateir - Irish division of VATSIM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW_XOm0Rb24

highlydebased · 01-08-2007 7:28pm

.........or train to become a controller with VATSIM! You'll need some knowledge of it to get into it though

Neo# · 02-08-2007 6:41am

Thanks guys for all the replies. Im looking into it. And VATSIM looks class by the way:D Must look into that!

jackofalltrades · 03-08-2007 11:10am

I'd say VATSIM would give you a great idea of what its like. Basically, on those microsoft flight sim games, you can play online with real people flying and real people controlling. Its very popular. To fly you have to own the game but its free to ATC. Just register and download VRC. VRC simulates the radar system used by air traffic controllers to guide aircraft along their routes through the simulated world on VATSIM.

Was at a flight sim convention as an exhibitor and saw a demonstration of this, was quiet impressed, the controller was explainng that at peak times the controllers at Heathrow deal with about 80% of the traffic load of the real airport.

Ginger · 08-08-2007 2:43pm

I will ask the training manager and get back to you.. will be talking to him tonight

Actually just try this

http://www.iaa.ie/comm_trn/trn_staff.asp

John_Mc · 08-08-2007 3:50pm

I'm on Vatsim with a controller rating, and having visited the new Shannon ATC center - I was very surprised at how realistic it is.

I could follow everything on screen, decode flightstrips and understand the terminology and procedures. Definitely worth getting into if you've any interest in aviation (as a pilot or Controller)

John_Mc · 09-08-2007 10:03am

Emailed the IAA yesterday about ATC positions and this is the reply I got:

"Please confirm your Postal Address and you will be added to our mailing list. A recruitment drive is imminent and will appear in coming weeks in national newspapers and IAA website."

Goodstuff!

therecklessone · 23-08-2007 11:38am

Recruitment starting today:

Details

Online application only.

gerire · 23-08-2007 7:18pm

Just applied there myself;
I had contacted them last year about this and was told I'd be on the list but heard nothing else since;

expediateclimb · 23-08-2007 9:14pm

Jaysus, I'd have more chance of winning the Lotto. The last round in 2001 had over 2500 applicants for 24 positions. That said I guess if your not in, you can't win. Better fill in an application

Neo# · 24-08-2007 6:36am

Good news indeed. I will apply myself. The timing of this thread turned out to be perfect!:D

AlanD · 26-08-2007 9:04pm

Great info and links guys. Long term IT person here thinking about a career change. Is 30 too old to do this? I think I'd be good at it. These simulators could help me get in the mindset needed to do the aptitude test. So good stuff.

Anyway, anyone know what the working hours are. I know it's a 24/7/365 job, but how long does a shift last. Do you do multiple short shifts in one day?

Does the training allowance come in under the tax exempt levels, anyone know?

Ginger · 26-08-2007 9:09pm

Based of what my dad used to do it was 5 on and 3 off in rotation. Normally it was a Late (start at 1 finish at 11), Swing, Morning, Nights 1 nights 2, 3 days off. That was in snn

AlanD · 26-08-2007 9:31pm

Ginger wrote:

Based of what my dad used to do it was 5 on and 3 off in rotation. Normally it was a Late (start at 1 finish at 11), Swing, Morning, Nights 1 nights 2, 3 days off. That was in snn

Thanks for that, but I'm not following, does that mean 5 days on, 3 days off, or 5 hours on and 3 hours off and then another 5 hours, so your shift would be maybe 13 hours in all.

Ginger · 26-08-2007 9:49pm

5 Days on 3 days off... but that is a while back.. it could have changed..

AlanD · 26-08-2007 9:54pm

Ginger wrote:

5 Days on 3 days off... but that is a while back.. it could have changed..

ah right, I understand....thanks Ginger

AlanD · 27-08-2007 1:50pm

anyone know what's involved in the first computerised test? Is it something you can prepare or is it designed to see the real you and determine if you have the basic skills or not.

Celtic07 · 27-08-2007 3:22pm

Applyed there myself now. Yea same queston that darren has what can you do to prepare for the aptiude test???????? Gonna have 3 aptitude tests nxt onth now. So need some help on this 1!!!!!!!

therecklessone · 27-08-2007 4:31pm

Click to download: Recruitment Process for Student Air Traffic Controller Programme 2007

- Planning ability
- Spatial Awareness/Orientation
- Figural Reasoning
- Short Term Memory - coping with distractions
- Following Directions
- Reaction Time
- Verbal Reasoning
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Dynamic alertness
- Style of Coping with Conflicts

kirving · 27-08-2007 5:28pm

I saw ads for trainee ATCs in the Indo last Thursday. More details. Online application only. Closing date 10th Sept. Born before 1/5/1988. 5 passes in Leaving Cert to include maths with min of grade C in 2 higher level papers. Training is 2 years and training allowance is 18k pa. On graduation salary is 47k. Online application form available at www.iaa.ie

Celtic07 · 28-08-2007 10:39am

bit slow there kevin

Celtic07 · 28-08-2007 10:41am

the recklessone you know of a cd or book thats available to help you with the test?

AlanD · 28-08-2007 10:46am

this might seem odd, but anyone got a clue as to how to get my Leaving Cert results? I did my LC in 1993, so I haven't a clue where my results sheet is and can only remember the results of a couple of papers.

Would the Dept. of Education have a service for this?

mikemac · 28-08-2007 10:51am

AlanD wrote:

this might seem odd, but anyone got a clue as to how to get my Leaving Cert results? I did my LC in 1993, so I haven't a clue where my results sheet is and can only remember the results of a couple of papers.

Would the Dept. of Education have a service for this?

Sure ring up your school secretary. It might take a few days and they might ask you to write to a letter requesting this. I don't think you need to contact the Dept.

Oh, and I've applied for this job too

therecklessone · 28-08-2007 2:18pm

Celtic07 wrote:

the recklessone you know of a cd or book thats available to help you with the test?

No, but I'm sure if you google for the specific sections you'll find something.

Celtic07 · 28-08-2007 3:07pm

therecklessone wrote:

No, but I'm sure if you google for the specific sections you'll find something.

Ok thanks

AlanD · 28-08-2007 3:11pm

micmclo wrote:

Sure ring up your school secretary. It might take a few days and they might ask you to write to a letter requesting this. I don't think you need to contact the Dept.

Oh, and I've applied for this job too

oh good idea! forgot that my school even existed......

I wonder would the referee checks be done early? Don't want to alert my bosses I could be leaving until it actually happens. Fingers crossed.

Stereophonic · 28-08-2007 3:43pm

They will only contact your references after an interview.

highlydebased · 28-08-2007 9:56pm

AlanD wrote:

this might seem odd, but anyone got a clue as to how to get my Leaving Cert results? I did my LC in 1993, so I haven't a clue where my results sheet is and can only remember the results of a couple of papers.

Would the Dept. of Education have a service for this?

The state exam commision have a section on their website for obtaining a copy of results- www.examinations.ie

Celtic07 · 02-09-2007 7:44pm

Dis page is gone very quiet....tests starting da 18th onwards. Shud b getting an exact date dis or nxt wk im guesssing so

BostonB · 02-09-2007 8:26pm

Celtic07 wrote:

Dis page is gone very quiet....tests starting da 18th onwards. Shud b getting an exact date dis or nxt wk im guesssing so

For the love of mike...http://dictionary.reference.com/

mikemac · 02-09-2007 8:30pm

Ah leave Celtic alone. Air traffic controllers have to learn lots of acronyms and learn to compress information into short sentances.

He's obviously practising

therecklessone · 02-09-2007 8:39pm

micmclo wrote:

He's obviously practising

That's not ICAO standard...

BostonB · 02-09-2007 8:52pm

He can only hope clear comms aren't a requirement.

Ginger · 02-09-2007 10:41pm

Well actually they have to neutralise their accents somewhat so that all aviators can understand them because it is a case that a lot of the people that they will be talking to, English is their second or third language.

Also they will have to learn to speak slower and more pronounced. My dad who was ATC from 25 years had to loose his midlands accent, and as such we grew up with a 30W accent based on how he talked

Celtic07 · 03-09-2007 3:30pm

BostonB wrote:

For the love of mike...http://dictionary.reference.com/

Whats wit all da abuse. guesssing? i meant guessing...get ova it

threebeards · 03-09-2007 3:38pm

Celtic07 wrote:

Whats wit all da abuse. guesssing? i meant guessing...get ova it

He didn't mean about guessing - he meant about "da txt spk"

BostonB · 03-09-2007 7:51pm

Celtic07 wrote:

Whats wit all da abuse. guesssing? i meant guessing...get ova it

Well you asked...

Celtic07 wrote:

the recklessone you know of a cd or book thats available to help you with the test?

Celtic07 · 03-09-2007 10:43pm

threebeards wrote:

He didn't mean about guessing - he meant about "da txt spk"

Nope seems he meant something else threebeards. :rolleyes:

BostonB · 03-09-2007 11:55pm

Dare I spell it out. (groan) I meant the txt speak. Its obvious you're mis-spelling for a jolly. Apologies for the off thread comments though.

The Insider · 04-09-2007 8:35am

Anybody hear anything back yet? I presume not everybody who applies will get to do the aptitude test.

Celtic07 · 04-09-2007 9:35am

The Insider wrote:

Anybody hear anything back yet? I presume not everybody who applies will get to do the aptitude test.

Yes insider every1 will for the computerisesd aptitude....if you have the relevant results etc

Celtic07 · 05-09-2007 8:12pm

Still havent heard anything bak and the tests are starting the 18th. They musnt give much notice anyway :mad:

Air Traffic Controller

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