Air Traffic Controlling-Getting To The yyz Tower?

[Flightman7]

Hey guys, I have been looking into becoming a Air traffic controller lately, and havent been able to find the answers im looking for. I was just wondering how the whole system works, my end goal would be to be a tower controller at yyz, handling departures and arrivals. But like every single career ive researched, theres always a catch. I havent been able to find the information but im going to guess that there is more demand for tower jobs, I mean really, massive windows, watching the aircraft v.s little screens with dots all over them. Forgive me if I sound ignorant about it all. So i was just wondering how the whole process of getting a tower job works and how long it takes. I initially wanted to be a pilot, but long story short- Air canadas going for a shit, westjets got around 5000 apps, every job in the industry is like a cage match amongst pilots, and you'll be lucky to have a family by age 40 if your making 20-40k on average (Sorry for the negativity). I ran in too a number of pilots who said, buy your own plane and fly for fun, and thats what I plan on doing. The only reason i am saying this is to show that i have a genuine passion for the aviation industry. Air traffic controlling sounds like a very rewarding career, I find aviation facinating and feel as though i will really enjoy it! So what does it take to become a tower controller, and how long does it take?

Thanks in advance,

[husky]

You are going to have much better chance at getting a training slot if you dont restrict yourself only to tower training slots. Apply and take what they give you. You can apply for transfer to a tower after 2 years on the job if they end up offering you IFR (area control centre, radar controller, little dots on the sceen etc). But if you cant see yourself doing the IFR thing, just tell them you are only interested in VFR. You won't get blacklisted or anything, you just don't have as good a chance of being offered a training slot. This is of course assuming you make it through the whole application process.

[justwall]

Basically I was in the same boat as you about two years ago. I invested boatloads of cash into my private, multi, ifr and commercial only to get out and realize the industry is in the tanks. I applied to Nav Canada via the take charge website to get the ball rolling with a small hope knowing approximately 16000 people apply each year. Tests progessed to interviews and eventually I found myself with a lot of confidence in getting "IN". I began to think that I had a good shot at the position (VFR Tower). Push comes to shove last August I was put on the standby list for the course due to the fact they had only spots for internal employees in the class. I was then offered an IFR class but denied it because I had the same mindset as you. I waited the winter got a call in the spring and to put things in perspective I JUST walked out of the simulator about an hour ago. Get the ball rolling and if your cut out for it you'll make it. Nav Canada is an awesome company and the people I've met are great. The least you can do is true.

[invertedattitude]

Generally, the demand is higher for IFR... consider that a large portion of new applicants don't know anything about aviation, and they see the payscales, which are generally much higher for IFR, with the exception of three towers Toronto/Vancouver/Calgary.

That being said, it is also considerably more difficult to qualify at those towers than others.

I'm a huge aviation buff, I love airplanes in and out... but unless one of those above towers moves to my hometown, I'd never leave my IFR gig.

[Oak]

When I first applied, I only thought about doing VFR; I had a chance to visit the Tower and it was fantastic .. but after starting an IFR course and spending some time around the centre, I've realised that it was just my desire to stay in my hometown (towered airport) instead of moving to the city where our ACC is.

The only downside I've identified is the lack of physical representation - I love going to the airport and watching planes, I could do it all day. Not being able to see them on a daily basis when I am at the centre bugs me sometimes, but it's the only downside I've discovered in my short time with the company.