Air Traffic Control Questions

conormurphy

Well, I'm thinking of going into air traffic control but...

1) After completion of training in Ireland, do you have to work here as an air traffic controller for a fixed amount of time?

2) Can you apply for any air traffic control station in Ireland which may please your location or do you have to stay with which ever one you are assigned to after you complete training.

3) Is it possible to work abroad as an air traffic controller?

4) Is English the universal language of air traffic control?

5) If I wanted to work as an air traffic controller in America, would I have to do an FAA approved ATC course or could I just apply for a job with the qualification which I acquired over here.

6) Would a career break be possible if I started work at 22 and stopped to take 2 years out at about 28 to go travelling? Would it be really hard to get back into air traffic control even if jobs were available or will the qualification do you for life?

Thanks for any answers

highlydebased

Once qualified, you dont have to work here.

No. You will train at the centre at Shannon, you can be assigned to SNN DUB or CRK

Yes you can then work abroad once qualified

English is universal language

I think the qualification provided can be used anywhere

You must be 19 to start the IAA training course. If you left at that stage you would only have the qualification, the qualification will last a long time but the job will only last while you are in it!!

conormurphy

Thanks for the answers neon-circles...

But why do they pay you if you are not going to have to work for them afterwards?

highlydebased

You get paid during the training as there is an on the job training element....

irishatco

conormurphy wrote: »

1) After completion of training in Ireland, do you have to work here as an air traffic controller for a fixed amount of time?

Yes, though I'm not sure how long new recruits will be expected to serve before they are released. I'd guess at 4 or 5 years, though you can buy yourself out of this service.

conormurphy wrote: »

2) Can you apply for any air traffic control station in Ireland which may please your location or do you have to stay with which ever one you are assigned to after you complete training.

On completion of your initial training you will be assigned to one of the three state airports for rating training. You may get a choice depending on staffing requirments and whether other cadets want to serve at your preferred location, but do not expect anything in that regard.

conormurphy wrote: »

3) Is it possible to work abroad as an air traffic controller?

Yes, though you will need to gain experience before another ANSP will consider you for employment.

conormurphy wrote: »

4) Is English the universal language of air traffic control?

For IFR traffic yes, though in many countries VFR traffic is dealt with in the local language. There may also be an issue of coordination being done in the local language.

conormurphy wrote: »

5) If I wanted to work as an air traffic controller in America, would I have to do an FAA approved ATC course or could I just apply for a job with the qualification which I acquired over here.

AFAIK the FAA will only employ US citizens as ATCOs, but any rating you attain in Ireland would be recognised. Bear in mind that any move to another center would require retraining on local procedures and a period of OJT.

conormurphy wrote: »

6) Would a career break be possible if I started work at 22 and stopped to take 2 years out at about 28 to go travelling? Would it be really hard to get back into air traffic control even if jobs were available or will the qualification do you for life?

Currently career breaks are not available to ATCOs in the IAA due staffing. That means the only option available to you would be to resign and then look for work when you've finished your travelling. I would not recommend doing that, as when you return to look for employment you will be up against ATCOs who hold current ratings, which means they will be much more employable than yourself.

HighlyCooL

just wondering, if you need to have full colour vision to be an air trafic controler

irishatco

HighlyCooL wrote: »

just wondering, if you need to have full colour vision to be an air trafic controler

Sorry to say it is.

HighlyCooL

irishatco wrote: »

Sorry to say it is.

what about to be a ploit. was reading the english regs and they say you dont but can only fly during the day until you do a lantran test. is this the same over here?

cp251

Ploits (lysdlexia anyone) and pilots are generally expected to have normal colour vision. However it's not as simple as that. The whole situation has got more complicated recently. In general you can pass the medical for a PPL with a restriction that you cannot fly at night. For a CPL, I understand it is also possible. But a commercial pilot who cannot fly at night is a bit useless.

HighlyCooL

so i can still get my PPL. thats grand coz i dont think im really colour blind, but failed the Ishihara Test.

pclancy

Yep you can, my eyesight is crap and I have night blindness but could get ppl minus night and ifr ratings and I would always have to have another pilot with me. You can do the eyesight medical in the Mater or another examiner to put your mind at rest, contact details in the "how to start in aviation" sticky.

HighlyCooL

thanks fokes. that will give me some thing to work to

jasgrif11

Does anyone know when the IAA start advertising for the next round of new hires? I'm also interested in applying. Has anyone gone through the interview and can give some details on whats involved?

Cheers
J

irishatco

jasgrif11 wrote: »

Does anyone know when the IAA start advertising for the next round of new hires? I'm also interested in applying. Has anyone gone through the interview and can give some details on whats involved?

Cheers
J

If previous intakes are a guide, the company will likely fill their next student class from the most recent batch of applicants (i.e. they will run another series of interviews, but only taking candidates from the last batch of applicants).

I suggest you contact HR to express an interest in any future recruitment campaign.

Davyboy.

Any word on another direct entry competition?

Turbine

Not for another year or 2 I'd say. You could try applying for NATS in the UK - http://atcocareers.co.uk/index.html

urajoke

Davyboy. wrote: »

Any word on another direct entry competition?

No chance of direct entry happening, it wasn't very successful last time. I imagine it will be SCP training programmes from now on.

fougachap

Great thread , so pleased that someone brought this up , looks like something that me just right up my street, if there recruiting in 2 years or so what prep and boning up would one have to do to get in , my knowledge of aircraft affairs is huge anyway ,
Do real ATC people do live flight sim ?
Think im onto something big here,

urajoke

fougachap wrote: »

Great thread , so pleased that someone brought this up , looks like something that me just right up my street, if there recruiting in 2 years or so what prep and boning up would one have to do to get in , my knowledge of aircraft affairs is huge anyway ,
Do real ATC people do live flight sim ?
Think im onto something big here,

No guarantee that there will be an intake in 2 years.

I wouldn't tell them you know lots about aviation they will quickly pull you apart and find out what's knowledge and what's waffle. It could be your downfall.

What's live flight sim ?

Just because you think you can do it doesn't mean you are able to do. A lot think they can do it and then find out they can't.

fougachap

Thanks for the advice ,I understand your point of view and fears . but I know what I know and it would take a lot for anyone to best me ,I would welcome the challenge .

urajoke

fougachap wrote: »

Thanks for the advice ,I understand your point of view and fears . but I know what I know and it would take a lot for anyone to best me ,I would welcome the challenge .

Being a self appointed "commercial aircraft expert" is not a requirement to be an ATCO.

Anyway I thought that was your true calling in life or have you changed your mind over the last few days ?

fougachap

urajoke wrote: »

Being a self appointed "commercial aircraft expert" is not a requirement to be an ATCO.

Anyway I thought that was your true calling in life or have you changed your mind over the last few days ?

Im coming to the end of my project and the social doesnt really support my lifestyle anymore.

jimbomalley

We all expected recruitment for scp11 to begin this summer but nothing doing ( I'm the 2nd intake from scp10). I presume it will be next year as controllers are still retiring/leaving at a steady rate. The above poster is right, they really don't like aerosexuals and know it alls so be prepared for a grilling in interviews (hopefully you will make it this far) if you bring this up.

Su Campu

I've noticed in my dealings with Dublin ATC at least that there is a sizeable foreign contingent, with at least one Aussie and one Indian(?) controller. Also, Weston now has one Spanish (I think) controller. Is there a shortage of Irish recruits?

Johnny901

Fougachap, hat off to you, I'm getting loads of laughs from you this morning.

urajoke

Su Campu wrote: »

I've noticed in my dealings with Dublin ATC at least that there is a sizeable foreign contingent, with at least one Aussie and one Indian(?) controller. Also, Weston now has one Spanish (I think) controller. Is there a shortage of Irish recruits?

No Aussies they're all gone, one Indian and one Egyptian left. It was due to a shortfall of staff and a need for immediate staffing they are ATCOs already less training required.

Davyboy.

The Aussies leaving was a surprise, they seemed to be getting on well in the job, two good lads, likable and easy to deal with.

urajoke

Davyboy. wrote: »

The Aussies leaving was a surprise, they seemed to be getting on well in the job, two good lads, likable and easy to deal with.

No surprise they were only on three year contracts.

Davyboy.

So the staff shortfall has been sorted then?

urajoke

Davyboy. wrote: »

So the staff shortfall has been sorted then?

Yes by the recession, currently single sector traffic 90% of the time but traffic is building again very very very slowly. So less staff currently required which is being eaten into by retirements. So on balance when traffic starts building we should be in a position to start taking I believe those who want it, transfers from Shannon and Cork first before we get any SCP's.

Davyboy.

There have been alot of retirements, ye lost a good man when Gerro left as well, absolute gent

urajoke

A good time to be retiring.