How do I become a United Kingdom civil air traffic controller if I have no previous aviation experience?
To act as a civil air traffic controller in the UK, a full UK Air Traffic Controller licence is required. The first step towards obtaining the licence is to successfully complete a course of ‘rating’ training at an approved ATC training establishment. Once you have successfully completed the rating course (in most cases this will be the Aerodrome Control Instrument rating) you will be issued with a Student Air Traffic Controller licence. This will allow you to commence training at a UK ATC unit, either an aerodrome or an air traffic control centre. This training is designed to enable you to gain a first Unit Endorsement and the issue of a full ATC licence which entitles you to act as an air traffic controller.
