Civil ATC relies heavily on the majority of aircraft doing the same thing in the same piece of airspace. At the risk of alienating my ex colleagues and current RAF controllers, the skill sets required for civil controlling are significantly different. UK military licences (Blue book) had little credence in 1990, I fear and stand to be corrected that the situation has not changed. From recollection dispensation was given for Meteorology & Navigation exams only. I left the RAF in 1990 and crossed over to NATS & had the great pleasure of working alongside HD for a number of years. Military controlling teaches valuable flexibility and definitely gives a good grounding, if it is your intention to use it as a stepping stone. The ATC branch in the RAF are currently undergoing a round of redundancies that will witness almost half of the senior posts (Squadron Leader and above) disappear. One draw back is that you inevitably pick up secondary duties and are judged on performance of these rather than your day job. Met some good friends and had some great times. I served 8 years as an ATCO in the RAF reaching the dizzy heights of Flight Lieutenant before retiring. But I have heard that Eurocontrol is recruiting, would that be a good option to take? And what's the success rate like roughly with them, would I have a chance joining them being from Wales? The most obvious option is to apply for NATS, but they're not looking anywhere near to the point of recruiting anytime soon. So now I'm now in limbo not sure what option to take. And I did know beforehand that the qualifications you gain in the Military as a controller would be much different to the ones you gain with NATS.īut now I'm beginning to come across old threads with advice (including in this one) stating if your purpose of joining the RAF is to be a AT controller, you just might as well do it with NATS, as it takes even more years of training to be a controller in the UK after you finish in the military. And that is why I've applied for the RAF, as I've also heard that the transition from Military ATC to Civil ATC is possible - and it's been done before. My ideal career would be to work as an Air Traffic Controller somewhere in the UK, and to do that with training fees covered is to join NATS. Well to be honest, I have lost hope in joining NATS as their website aren't recruiting, and it's been like that for months. I would just say however, that if you do want to consider military ATC, with a slightly different flavour to RAF, in as much that you really are officer first and foremost, then consider the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. I have my own opinions on the "point" of working for the RAF, but it's your decision to make. There are LOTS of ex-military controllers at airports around the UK, so military to civil is a well trodden and well proven path. It is my belief that work is being undertaken to change this, but as to how long that'll take. Military ATCOs on leaving service, have to pay to re-train for a civil qualification. This "book" is not valid, in any way in the civilian sector. Validity of "book": It is my current understanding that Military ATCOs have a "book" containing their qualifications. Training: I believe that military ATCOs are now expected to be fully validated at unit within 2 years of completing their JATCC. We are ATCOs who work for the RAF really". I asked that very question about, RAF First ATC Second, and I was met with essentially. I also believe I've learnt through several "sources" the validity of military qualifications in aviation.įirstly, in the RAF one is of course technically an RAF Officer (or perhaps an NCO depending on your route of choice) first, however, in reality RAF ATCOs or ATCs are doing a civvy job, in uniform. I recently visited RAF Linton on Ouse to spend a day in their Tower, and I learnt a great deal about the RAF ATC way of life, training schemes etc. Perhaps I could deliver my recently learnt two pennies? but I believe the world of RAF ATC has changed a lot. Not to be impertinent in the face of greatness HD.
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