CTC Wings

[mfraser]

QUOTE (Alex @ Aug 17 2008, 06:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeap, I was looking at that. But the age requirement was a bit of a pain. Wasn't really keen on 2 gap years...

Alex

Don't give up on that idea just yet Alex...... Airways is having a big shakeup of their training courses at the moment. There is a proposal in the works to train anyone 18 years or over and have them employed elsewhere in the company (Such as Flight Data Assistants for example), and once you reach the required age you can begin training as an ATCO. It means you get paid a nice wage and become exposed to the industry which should help the ATC training for those coming from non-aviation backgrounds. A lot of people in ATC (Such as myself) have come from an RNZAF background, which is another good way to get paid while you wait for the time to tickover. Airways loves people from the Airforce as most are self disciplined, have the ability to self critique, already have good study habits etc. The danger would be falling into a flying career and putting the ATC idea on hold for 11 years as I did!

Mat

[Alex]

Humm yea. I've started setting myself up for a spell in the air force, so at the moment I'm more focussed on that. After that, who knows...

Alex

[victor_alpha_charlie]

QUOTE (mfraser @ Aug 17 2008, 06:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

All this talk about pilot training! Have any of you considered a career in Air Traffic Control? I can guarantee you'll get paid TWICE as much as you get paid as a line instructor at CTC or a First Officer with Eagle. Plus we have much better shifts and superannuation!

Yeah, but I'd just sit there watching planes take off all day wishing I was flying them off to some exotic destination (Like Rotorua ) instead of sitting in a room, that's just my 2c worth.

QUOTE

I personally know of one young lady who worked at HN and WN Towers to fund her flying training and is now First Officer on Vincents Dash-8! Have a look..........[/quote]

Was that Julie or Janine?

[mfraser]

QUOTE (victor_alpha_charlie @ Aug 18 2008, 05:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, but I'd just sit there watching planes take off all day wishing I was flying them off to some exotic destination (Like Rotorua ) instead of sitting in a room, that's just my 2c worth.



Was that Julie or Janine?

I was talking about Janine but I'm sure she's not the only controller that's done it. There are days in NZHN I'm glad I'm just sitting in the tower watching......... watching the cockpit monkeys landing in 20G30kts crosswind over the wild winter we've just had was quite entertaining!!

[victor_alpha_charlie]

QUOTE (mfraser @ Aug 20 2008, 05:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was talking about Janine but I'm sure she's not the only controller that's done it. There are days in NZHN I'm glad I'm just sitting in the tower watching......... watching the cockpit monkeys landing in 20G30kts crosswind over the wild winter we've just had was quite entertaining!!

Hey that's the fun bit!

[Anthony]

I've looked at and thought about being a ATCO, but I'm not really seriously considering it.
I think that's because I've heard a lot about air traffic control being a tough and stressful job, which kind of puts me off.
Would be pretty cool to sit in a comfy chair and watch planes all day though

[Alex]

Would depend where you are, and traffic levels. I've been up a couple of times to Rotorua Tower and it seems pretty cruisy, but can definitely get busy there when you get a combination of the 737's coming in, other regional traffic, choppers going all over the place, gliders out at Tikitere etc etc.

Once you get into it you just manage it (traffic (and stress)), there are strategies out there for it, you have lots of training to call on. I'm not sure it's as big an issue as it is sometimes made out to be...

Alex

[mfraser]

QUOTE (Alex @ Aug 20 2008, 06:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Would depend where you are, and traffic levels. I've been up a couple of times to Rotorua Tower and it seems pretty cruisy, but can definitely get busy there when you get a combination of the 737's coming in, other regional traffic, choppers going all over the place, gliders out at Tikitere etc etc.

Once you get into it you just manage it (traffic (and stress)), there are strategies out there for it, you have lots of training to call on. I'm not sure it's as big an issue as it is sometimes made out to be...

Alex

I couldn't have put it better myself Alex...... and this is why the rewards are so high. We are given very good pay, very good superannuation, a lot of leave, very good training and plenty of support, simply because it is a challenge and stressful at times. Each unit has its own challenges, but once you've been in the game awhile you tend to be able to fall back on your experience when the going gets tough. Most busy units have a team environment to help share the burden and controllers always have the option of saying 'No' to traffic, requests etc. And to get back on topic - Just ask pilots on the CTC Wings courses flying now how many times I deny them circuits, glide approaches, EFATO's etc etc!