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Air Traffic Controller VS Aerospace Battle Manager
Just want to take some opinions.
Which one would you prefer? Air Traffic Controller or Aerospace Battle Manager. My first choice when I filled in the form was Air Traffic Controller but now I am a bit confused. Aerospace Battle Manager looks for challanging.
Which one would you prefer? Air Traffic Controller or Aerospace Battle Manager. My first choice when I filled in the form was Air Traffic Controller but now I am a bit confused. Aerospace Battle Manager looks for challanging.
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newboyintown
I am going for ATCO and I've put myself for permanent commission. Because thats what I always wanted to do. Be in the RAF.
I don't think you can get bored of the job you love, can you?
I don't think you can get bored of the job you love, can you?
newboyintown
Because I already do (without even doing it)
Tomm_UK
How do you know you will love it?
How do you know you will love it?
Because I already do (without even doing it)
Unfortunately I can't offer any advice on your choices, but if you look at what you have posted earlier and then this topic, you need to decide what it is you actually want, I thought you knew you were going to love ATCO?
I know it seems like I'm taking the piss, but I'm not. OASC will want to hear exactly why you want to do the job you're applying for and you're not putting your motivation across well on here, never mind in your formal interview.
Read both of these posts for detailed description of both branches. I decided to go for Fight Control first and ATC second. FC is about bringing planes together while ATC is all about keeping them apart, plus landings and take offs. Also, you will spend a lot of your time in the North East at Boulmer as a FC and that suits me as my family is settled up here.
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9432251&postcount=22
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9432228&postcount=15
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9432251&postcount=22
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9432228&postcount=15
I've applied for fighter controller, which I think is what you mean by Aerospace battle manager, apparently it has now changed!
The ABM position is far more tactical than ATC, you will be put in charge of aircraft, and it is your job to direct them in battles to bombing locations etc. You could also operate surveillance aircraft in the systems stream.
If you research the position you will find out alot more, try looking for info on 1ACC, I think that is a very interesting part of being an 'aerospace battle manager' haha.
The ABM position is far more tactical than ATC, you will be put in charge of aircraft, and it is your job to direct them in battles to bombing locations etc. You could also operate surveillance aircraft in the systems stream.
If you research the position you will find out alot more, try looking for info on 1ACC, I think that is a very interesting part of being an 'aerospace battle manager' haha.
Aerospace Battle Manager/FC or whatever it is called tomorrow is traditionally thought of as a much more demanding role than ATC, but that is simply because you have to have the basic three-dimensional aptitude, which many people simply don't have to a high enough level. Years ago FC training used to have a phenomenally high chop rate, at about 90%, but they sorted that out in the mid 90's, so now you have a decent chance, if you start, of making it to the end of the course. So don't be swayed by historical stories of the impossibility of FC training.
The traditional description of the difference between ATC and FC is that ATC try to keep aircraft apart (ie fulfil a basic safety fuction) and FCs try to bring them together (ie manage the airborne battle). There might be some appeal in doing one or other of those, but I'm not sure it gets you far. There are many more posting opportunities for ATC, fewer for FC and FC postings tend to the more remote. There are easier, but not easy routes into civvy street with ATC expereince, less with FC.
You probably need to get to Boulmer or 1 ACC and check out the FC/ABM job, it is a pretty highly specialised job and I guess you either love it or hate it.
The traditional description of the difference between ATC and FC is that ATC try to keep aircraft apart (ie fulfil a basic safety fuction) and FCs try to bring them together (ie manage the airborne battle). There might be some appeal in doing one or other of those, but I'm not sure it gets you far. There are many more posting opportunities for ATC, fewer for FC and FC postings tend to the more remote. There are easier, but not easy routes into civvy street with ATC expereince, less with FC.
You probably need to get to Boulmer or 1 ACC and check out the FC/ABM job, it is a pretty highly specialised job and I guess you either love it or hate it.
The fighter battle space air management controller (etc) job is quite limited on postings nowadays, as you're either at the Boulmer or Scampton CRCs for your first tour. You can go to Kirton in Lindsey, just a bit north of Waddington, to work with 1ACC, and other than that it's only Waddo for the Sentry job which is obviously hotly-contested.
Air traffickers, however, can be posted anywhere with aircraft and a couple of places without (to do area radar). It's only a small point, and the jobs are certainly very different, but it's worth bearing in mind.
Air traffickers, however, can be posted anywhere with aircraft and a couple of places without (to do area radar). It's only a small point, and the jobs are certainly very different, but it's worth bearing in mind.
Tomm_UK
Unfortunately I can't offer any advice on your choices, but if you look at what you have posted earlier and then this topic, you need to decide what it is you actually want, I thought you knew you were going to love ATCO?
I know it seems like I'm taking the piss, but I'm not. OASC will want to hear exactly why you want to do the job you're applying for and you're not putting your motivation across well on here, never mind in your formal interview.
I know it seems like I'm taking the piss, but I'm not. OASC will want to hear exactly why you want to do the job you're applying for and you're not putting your motivation across well on here, never mind in your formal interview.
well to make it clear Tomm_UK, it wasn 't ATCO, I meant working in RAF as general is something that I would love to do and don 't think I can get bored of because apart from the opportunities of work, there is lots of other activities involved that will keep me happy.
I am just struggling to decide which one would be better. As I said my first choice was ATCO and the FCO is the second. The reason I went for ATCO as first choice was because of the responsibilities involved.
Now that I am studying more and more preparing for my interview, I think that FCO's are the second eye on an aircraft, helping pilots all the way. Could be stressful, but I think this would be something better suitable for me .
On the other hand, ATCO's do a great job, making sure that they have a safe flight watching for potential hazards in the sky.
Wzz
Air traffickers, however,
Air traffickers, however,
Air Traffickers? man sounds like a dodgy job now :s
Wzz
The fighter battle space air management controller (etc) job is quite limited on postings nowadays, as you're either at the Boulmer or Scampton CRCs for your first tour. You can go to Kirton in Lindsey, just a bit north of Waddington, to work with 1ACC, and other than that it's only Waddo for the Sentry job which is obviously hotly-contested.
Air traffickers, however, can be posted anywhere with aircraft and a couple of places without (to do area radar). It's only a small point, and the jobs are certainly very different, but it's worth bearing in mind.
Air traffickers, however, can be posted anywhere with aircraft and a couple of places without (to do area radar). It's only a small point, and the jobs are certainly very different, but it's worth bearing in mind.
I've been told by quite a few Fighter Controllers that the limited posting issue is certainly true if you are streamed weapons, but if you are streamed surveillance there is quite a lot of variation after your first couple of tours.
There is beginning to be a crossover between the two as well - I have met the 1st ATC / FC Officer and she has worked hard.
BTW - you do know that Fighter Controller is the favourite 'long course' option to other Branches don't you? Probably the highest chop rate Branch training in the RAF.
BTW - you do know that Fighter Controller is the favourite 'long course' option to other Branches don't you? Probably the highest chop rate Branch training in the RAF.
ProStacker
There is beginning to be a crossover between the two as well - I have met the 1st ATC / FC Officer and she has worked hard.
ATC/FC Officer? Is it possible?
newboyintown
ATC/FC Officer? Is it possible?
Thats what I said isn't it? I spent several weeks on a course with the first officer to undergo the cross-training from ATC - all a bit experimental at the moment, but someone has to be the experiment.
I dont know anything about this and havent read the thread but look at it like this:
In a bar:
You - Hey
Girl - Hi, what do you do for a living?
You - AEROSPACE BATTLE COMMANDER (no harm in changing one word)
Girl - Wanna come back to mine?
In a bar:
You - Hey
Girl - Hi, what do you do for a living?
You - AEROSPACE BATTLE COMMANDER (no harm in changing one word)
Girl - Wanna come back to mine?
MikeHarris
I dont know anything about this and havent read the thread but look at it like this:
In a bar:
You - Hey
Girl - Hi, what do you do for a living?
You - AEROSPACE BATTLE COMMANDER (no harm in changing one word)
Girl - Wanna come back to mine?
In a bar:
You - Hey
Girl - Hi, what do you do for a living?
You - AEROSPACE BATTLE COMMANDER (no harm in changing one word)
Girl - Wanna come back to mine?
Should that be Aerospace then or change it to something else as well? xxxx Battle Commander (I already have thought about what i would like in the xxx section but I ain't telling ya
)DisgruntledMoth
I probably can't debate with you on this.
I only read the thread because I know some people who work in ATC, and they really enjoy their jobs. Go for whichever you're more passionate about.
I only read the thread because I know some people who work in ATC, and they really enjoy their jobs. Go for whichever you're more passionate about.
Come on, Now a days I try my best to argue (of course constructively). Just to help me with OASC group discussion (if I ever make it to that stage
)
Tomm_UK
I suppose you get to do that all the time in air cadets. 
Incidentally, newboyintown, if it was me I would go for Aerospace Battle Manager, it just sounds too cool. Make your judgements based upon that, that's what I did!
Incidentally, newboyintown, if it was me I would go for Aerospace Battle Manager, it just sounds too cool. Make your judgements based upon that, that's what I did!
Yeh I was watching the video about FCO's. Looks cool. You even work from a secret location
obnoxious
I prefer piloting aircraft opposed to controlling
Wind your neck in. 2 shots in a glider and one AEF flight as a 14 year old cadet doesn't count as "piloting" anything; and I seriously doubt you've had much exposure to controlling aircraft either!
ATC would have been my top non-aircrew branch choice. The closer you are to aircraft the better, I think; I wouldn't want to be buried in an IPT somewhere with no idea at all of what the RAF's actually doing.
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