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24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year, our Air Traffic Controllers help keep aircraft flying, passengers travelling, cargo moving and the skies above us safe. To be a Controller you’ll need a specific set of skills, a calm nature and a healthy dose of self-resilience. But if you have what it takes and commit 100% to your training, an amazing career awaits.

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What do Controllers do?

Each year, around 2.5 million flights and 250 million people fly above our heads in UK skies. Our Air Traffic Controllers work with pilots to make that happen quickly, efficiently and, most importantly, safely.

The UK, like many countries, has ‘controlled’ and ‘uncontrolled’ airspace. In controlled airspace, pilots take instructions from Air Traffic Controllers on where, when and how to position their aircraft. Most commercial aircraft operate in controlled airspace.

Meet a Controller

Hear Controllers and Trainees talk about the training programme, career opportunities, work-life balance and the enjoyment that comes from being an Air Traffic Controller.

Your career cleared for take off
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Your career cleared for take off
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Advice for future TATCs
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Advice for Future Trainee Air Traffic Controllers
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Our stories - training as an air traffic controller
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Life at NATS
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Life at NATS - Trainee Air Traffic Controller
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Becoming a Controller - Altitude webcast

In this episode of our Altitude webcast we explore the whole recruitment process, from understanding the requirements and the application process through to assessment and beyond. We also look at the training, what’s involved and how candidates can best prepare for success.

Two experienced air traffic controllers will share their experiences of recruitment, training and validation and what it’s like to then put that learning into practice looking after some of the UK’s most congested airspace and one of its busiest control towers.

Types of Controller

There are different types of Controllers, with different skill sets and responsibilities based on their roles.

Aerodrome Controllers

Typically based in a Control Tower at an airport, an Aerodrome Controller (sometimes referred to as a 'Tower Controller') is responsible for the safety and movement of aircraft around an airfield. 

They issue clearances to take off and land and route aircraft around the airfield so they can taxi safely between runways, stands and other areas they need to travel to.  

Area Controllers

Typically based at Control Centres (such as those at Prestwick and Swanwick in the UK), Area Controllers manage aircraft at higher altitudes (often five thousand feet and above). They are responsible for aircraft in the climb, descent and en-route phase of the flight. 

Area Controllers issue levels, headings and speeds to separate aircraft, providing a safe and expeditious routing through the sector of airspace that they manage.

Approach Controllers

Approach Controllers are typically based at airports, but those managing the big London airports are based at Swanwick.

They manage aircraft approaching an airport putting them into the most efficient sequence to land. They also manage those that have just departed the airport in their initial phases of flight.

Approach Controllers may also manage flights transiting the airspace around the airport.

Inside Heathrow Tower at dusk

Application process

At NATS we recruit and train people to become valid Air Traffic Controllers and support our operation. The path to becoming a Controller is not a quick and easy one. It takes time and commitment but the rewards at the end make it all worth while.

An overview of the steps you need to follow to qualify is laid out below.

  • Do your research

    Research what the role involves. Does it interest and excite you? Could you see yourself doing it? Do you understand what’s involved in the recruitment and assessment process? Could you commit 100% to training if selected?

    If the answer is yes, then check your eligibility!

  • Check your eligibility

    Before you apply you must check you are eligible.  Do you meet the legal, health, academic and security requirements?

    If you don’t we will reject your application from the outset.  If you do – register online!  

    You must:

    When you apply you will be security vetted, so please remember the following:

    • If you have a pending conviction, please wait until the outcome is known before applying.
    • You need to declare all travelling as the security clearance relates to where you have physically been not where you are registered as living or where your post is currently sent.
    • Be 100% honest with all your answers, failure to declare something important may impact your security clearance application.

  • Register Online

    Complete the online application form and register your details. The form takes 7-10 minutes to complete.

  • Complete stage 1 online assessments

    Having successfully registered and been approved, you’ll be invited to sit nine online tests. These are designed to test cognitive and decision making skills that are important to Controllers.

    If you don't pass this stage, you can reapply after 12 months. You can apply to become a Controller a maximum of three times.

  • Complete stage 2 online assessments

    If you pass the stage 1 assessments, you’ll be invited to an online Situational Judgement Test and Personality Questionnaire.

    If you don't pass this stage, you can reapply after 12 months. You can apply to become a Controller a maximum of three times.

    Note for 2024 candidates if you pass the stage 2 assessments and meet the minimum requirement to attend a 1 day assessment centre:
    We will now be assessing your results and invitations to attend the next stage will be sent in due course to those who have met the minimum requirement to proceed to the Stage 3 assessment centre.

  • Attend an assessment centre

    If you pass the stage 2 assessments and meet the minimum requirements you'll be asked to attend a 1 day assessment day where you’ll take some further ATC related tests, have an interview and partake in a group exercise. This is currently held virtually via Microsoft Teams.

    If you don't pass this stage, you can reapply after 12 months. You can apply to become a Controller a maximum of three times.

  • Bursary Scheme

    We run a bursary scheme to help candidates apply for a Trainee Air Traffic Controller Bursary to assist towards medical and/or travel costs.

    You may be eligible if you:

    • come from a household with an annual income of £25,000 or less;
    • receive Universal Credit or income related benefits related to dependants; or
    • have caring responsibilities.

    If you apply for the bursary scheme, you'll be asked to specify your personal circumstances based on the criteria set out above. If you're successful at Stage 3 of the recruitment process, you'll be asked to provide evidence to support your funding application.

    Your evidence should include:

    • Proof of household income (including payslips)
    • Proof of address (utility bill)
    • Proof of Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Credit
    • Proof of Universal Credit

  • Offer and Onboarding

    If you pass the assessment centre, you will be made a conditional offer of employment (subject to achieving relevant security and medical clearances). The next step will be to obtain your Class 3 medical clearance, our Talent Acquisition team will explain the process and issue you with the appropriate paperwork to begin this process.

    Once you have achieved your medical clearance, we will assign you to a training course, provide you with an employment start date and the security clearance process will begin a maximum of 6 months in advance of your start date.

  • Complete the college-based training

    If you pass the assessment centre, you’ll be provided with a conditional offer of employment as a Trainee Air Traffic Controller' and attend one of our initial training organisations to embark on your journey towards gaining a Student Air Traffic Control licence.

    The length of college-based training varies depending on a host of factors, including the specialism you take and how quickly you can complete different phases. Most college-based training is completed within a year to eighteen months and includes a combination of practical and theory based sessions.

  • Complete the operational training

    Once you have gained your Student Air Traffic Control licence, you will be posted to an operational unit where your hands-on training continues until you validate and are issued your full Air Traffic Controller licence.

    Please remember that Air Traffic Controllers are mobile grades, which means that you may be required to work anywhere in the UK and ultimately this will be determined by the needs of the Company.

  • Congratulations!

    Now you are ready to play your critical part in advancing aviation and keeping the skies safe!

Training at our Prestwick Centre

Working locations

An Air Traffic Controller is a mobile grade - which means that once you validate, you could be posted anywhere in the country. The location will depend on your skills, training and the needs of the business. Typically our Controllers are posted to one of our two Control Centres or an airport where we run the air traffic control operation.

Swanwick Centre

Located in Hampshire, our Swanwick Centre opened in 2002 and is home to around 750 Air Traffic Controllers. The Centre combines:

The London Area Control Centre  which manages en route traffic over England and Wales up to the Scottish border.

The London Terminal Control Centre  which handles traffic below 24,500 feet flying to or from London’s airports. This airspace is among the busiest and most complex in the world. 

Military Air Traffic Control where Military Controllers work closely alongside our Controllers to provide services to civil and military aircraft operating outside of controlled airspace. 

Prestwick Centre

Located in Ayrshire, our Prestwick Centre opened in 2010 and is home to around 350 Air Traffic Controllers. The Centre combines:

The Manchester Area Control Centre which controls aircraft over much of the north of England, the Midlands and north Wales from 2,500 feet up to 28,500 feet.

The Scottish Area Control Centre  which controls aircraft over Scotland, Northern Ireland, Northern England and the North Sea from 2,500 feet up to 66,000 feet. 

The Oceanic Area Control Centre which controls the airspace over the eastern half of the North Atlantic from the Azores (45 degrees north) to a boundary with Iceland (61 degrees north).

Various Airports

Our Controllers provide air traffic services at 14 major UK airports as well as Gibraltar International.

Major airports we operate at include:

  • Aberdeen
  • Belfast City
  • Belfast International
  • Bristol
  • Cardiff
  • Farnborough
  • Gatwick
  • Glasgow
  • Heathrow
  • London City (via our Digital Tower)
  • Luton
  • Manchester
  • Southampton
  • Stansted

Training at our College in Hampshire

Salary and benefits

As well as receiving a salary when training you're entitled to an industry leading benefits package. 

On joining as a Trainee Air Traffic Controller Apprentice, you’ll get a basic salary of £21,330.60*, along with an attractive benefits package. This will include everything from a market-leading contributory pension scheme and generous annual leave to a whole host of voluntary benefits and family friendly policies.

Because we recognise the costs associated with accommodation when you’re training, we also provide an annual accommodation allowance which is paid monthly whilst you remain an Ab Initio Trainee. The monthly accommodation allowance is equivalent to £8,351.91* per annum.

Once you’ve completed and passed all of your training (college and unit), your salary will rise to £46,216 - £51,508* and, with increments, you could potentially earn over £100,000* (inclusive of shift pay) at some of our busiest units.

Our standard annual leave arrangements are 28 days per year plus public holidays. More detailed information on benefits will be provided when you join us.

*At 2024 rates.

More about benefits

Controlling at Stansted

Have you got the skills?

Find out if you might by trying our online games...

Being a successful Controller isn’t so much about your previous work experience, it’s about the way you approach problems, handle pressure and adapt to changing situations.

We’ve developed a series of mini-games to help you decide whether it’s the kind of thing that might be right for you.They test a range of basic skills required by Controllers. Give them a go!

Shape tracking

Follow the highlighted shape and identify it in a mix with others.

Play

Sequential memory

Memorise the card reveal sequence and play it back as accurately as you can.

Play

Reactive avoidance

How long can you keep the circle from hitting the blocks? It's a challenge!

Play

Gateway game

Move the aircraft in the sequence through the gates without losing separation.

Play

Landing game

Land aircraft on the runway in sequence without losing separation.

Play

Inside our Digital Tower facility

Working towards an apprenticeship

We have made part of our Air Traffic Control training at some of our locations an accredited Apprenticeship scheme. Should we be successful, candidates will not only be trained to be competent as Air Traffic Controllers, but will also get a L5 recognised apprenticeship qualification.

In addition to ATC technical skills, the apprenticeship will develop your professional and personal skills in areas such as problem solving, teamwork and communication. The skills, knowledge and behaviours learnt as part of the apprenticeship are as valuable outside of NATS as they are inside.

FAQs

Understandably we have a lot of questions related to the application, assessment and training process for becoming an Air Traffic Controller. We've tried to address those that most commonly come up below.  If they don't answer your question you can contact us. 

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