Looking for a little insight, in addition to what I have been able to glean from this forum and the Nav Canada site...
I am an ex-military helicopter pilot, and although I enjoyed the challenges of the job the lifestyle (especially in the civilian world where you are away for 50% of each year) does not work for me any more. I am interested in pursuing an ATC or ACC career.
Can any of you experts tell me if the background and experience would be beneficial or even somewhat valued by Nav Canada since I was 'on the other side of the radio' for years? Also, is the wait time still 8-12 months before you get the the call to begin training?
Thanks in advance, and feel free to unleash the pilot jokes! We definitely told our fair share as pilots re: ATCs!
Helo Pilot to ATC
Moderators: sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, North Shore
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Terminal Velocity
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Terminal Velocity
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Re: Helo Pilot to ATC
Sorry, I am new here so forgive the question...
I got a notification that there was a response to my post but all that I saw was an advertisement. Was that it?
I got a notification that there was a response to my post but all that I saw was an advertisement. Was that it?
Re: Helo Pilot to ATC
I would call or Google NAVCANADA for the latest updates and information ..
Expect Churchill or something far North as your first posting ..
GL!
Expect Churchill or something far North as your first posting ..
GL!
Re: Helo Pilot to ATC
There are a decent number of ex-military controllers where I work. I imagine the experience would be looked upon favorably in the selection process.
It seems to me that the duration of the application process, in part, comes down to luck/timing. There are several steps that need to be passed prior to a training offer, and you can't get a call for the next one until they run it. It took me approximately 2 and a half years from the time I applied until I started training. Having said that, it can happen much faster if you score well on each step and the timing is right.
It seems to me that the duration of the application process, in part, comes down to luck/timing. There are several steps that need to be passed prior to a training offer, and you can't get a call for the next one until they run it. It took me approximately 2 and a half years from the time I applied until I started training. Having said that, it can happen much faster if you score well on each step and the timing is right.
Re: Helo Pilot to ATC
That isn't necessarily correct.Ecco wrote:I would call or Google NAVCANADA for the latest updates and information ..
Expect Churchill or something far North as your first posting ..
GL!
The location of your first posting depends on the stream you are selected for, and the FIR in which you apply.
Each FIR does its own hiring / training these days. So, as an example, if you applied in the YWG region you would be posted somewhere in the YWG region to begin your career.
You are also trained in one of 3 streams: FSS, VFR (tower), or IFR (centre). Each one of these streams will only have certain locations that you can be posted to. For example, if you train VFR they will send you somewhere with a tower in the FIR. If you train IFR, you will be posted in the ACC. Only FSS has the possibility of sending you somewhere remote to begin your career.
Re: Helo Pilot to ATC
Your military formation will probably give you an edge once you make it to the interviews. However, you have to passe the two tests before that. The first test is online and the seconde one is the in-person test. From what I figure, after the in-person test, about 2/3 of applicants are cut.
The first interview is with a retired atc. At that point, your background is taken into account.
The second interview is with the HR.
Once you have done all this, they decide in which stream you would best fit. You can start directly IFR, in which case you'll start in a big city (in your FIR). You can either work in Gander, Moncton, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton or Vancouver.
If you go VFR, you'll end up in one of the 42 towers that Nav currently operates. You can check their web site to see where you could go. FSS will definetly send you in more remote areas.
For your info, just started an IFR class. Out of 5, there are 2 with pilot experience, 1 straight out of school and 2 with diverse backgrounds. So you can expect a variety of backgrounds to be choosen.
The first interview is with a retired atc. At that point, your background is taken into account.
The second interview is with the HR.
Once you have done all this, they decide in which stream you would best fit. You can start directly IFR, in which case you'll start in a big city (in your FIR). You can either work in Gander, Moncton, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton or Vancouver.
If you go VFR, you'll end up in one of the 42 towers that Nav currently operates. You can check their web site to see where you could go. FSS will definetly send you in more remote areas.
For your info, just started an IFR class. Out of 5, there are 2 with pilot experience, 1 straight out of school and 2 with diverse backgrounds. So you can expect a variety of backgrounds to be choosen.
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Terminal Velocity
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Re: Helo Pilot to ATC
Thanks, Judge and Boomer for the information. That is useful and is helping me get the picture beyond the 'take charge' web page.
I have done many psychometric and cognitive tests before and somehow done well
my spatial awareness is up there too so hopefully an asset. I guess we will see.
Before aircrew selection in the CF I studied math and physics to sharpen my mind as well as playing complex flying video games (believe it or not). I found this helped somewhat. Is there any way (or any point) to study/prepare for the online and in-person tests?
I have done many psychometric and cognitive tests before and somehow done well
my spatial awareness is up there too so hopefully an asset. I guess we will see.
Before aircrew selection in the CF I studied math and physics to sharpen my mind as well as playing complex flying video games (believe it or not). I found this helped somewhat. Is there any way (or any point) to study/prepare for the online and in-person tests?
