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Mark MacDonald, A SafeSkys ATCO who converted from Military to Civil

There are FIVE ways to become a UK civil ATCO

  1. Get accepted for the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) cadetship.
  2. Pay for your own training (about £45,000 for ADI/ADV, APP & APS ratings) or part train (£28,000 - ADI/ADV & APP or ADI/ADV & APS) and look for a job which offers further training. This is not realistic unless you have experience in the ATC world (AFISO, ATCA , ex-military etc).
  3. Apply for a job at an airport as an Air Traffic Control Assistant and work your way up with a good employer/airport.
  4. Join the Royal Air Force or Royal Navy as an Air Traffic Control Officer and convert to Civil Aviation Authority licences later. ( You will need to follow route 2 but having acquired some skills you will have an advantage). On leaving the services, you may also be within the age limits to apply for a NATS cadetship.
  5. Swap your European recognised ATC licence for a UK CAA recognised licence.  You will need to contact the Licensing Department at the CAA at Gatwick to start this process.

BIRD CONTROLLER

To become a bird controller you need to hold a full driving licence, be colour perception safe and be able to hold a firearms certificate and shotgun licence issued by the local police force.  Normally any specialist bird control training would be provided by the employer.