Medical requirements

While we're prepared to look at each case on its merits, the following guidelines will give you some idea as to whether you're likely to meet the medical standards we require:

Cardiovascular
You should have normal blood pressure and no evidence of heart disease, or disease of the cardiovascular system.

Respiratory
There should be no significant respiratory disease. A past history of asthma may be acceptable but significant symptoms at time of application are likely to be disqualifying.

Gastro Intestinal Tract
This should be free of any significant disease.

Metabolic, Nutritional and Endocrine Diseases
Diabetes will normally be disqualifying. Obesity may be disqualifying. A Body Mass Index below 35 is a normal requirement for a Class 1 certificate.

Urinary System
There should be no symptoms of urinary system conditions.

Neurological
The following conditions are disqualifying:

1. Progressive disease of the nervous system.
2. Epilepsy - current or past history.
3. Conditions with a high propensity for cerebral dysfunction.

Visual Standards
You must have normal colour vision and your visual acuity must be 6/9 or better in each eye. This visual acuity can be achieved using correction but there are limits on the amount of correction required.

Correction shall not exceed + 5 or - 6 dioptres equivalent spherical error in each eye. Cylindrical correction shall not exceed 2 dioptres in each eye. The difference between the amount of correction required for each eye shall not exceed 2 dioptres.

If you have had any form of eye surgery including squint correction or laser visual correction, then please be aware of the following:

Even if the pre-operative correction is within the acceptable range, applicants will be referred to a specialist appointed by the CAA for further examination.

However, if the pre-operative correction is outside of the CAA limits of + 5 or - 6 dioptres, then a Class 1 certificate will not be granted even if the post-operative correction is normal.

Auditory Standards
There should be no hearing loss in either ear, when tested separately, of more than 20 dB (HL) at any of the frequencies 500, 1,000 and 2,000 Hz, or of more than 35 dB (HL) at 3,000 Hz.

Psychiatric Conditions
Ongoing psychiatric illness or current use of psychiatric medication such as antidepressants is normally disqualifying. A history of psychiatric illness or past use of psychiatric medication such as antidepressants may be acceptable after specialist assessment.

Anthropometric Considerations
Your physique must allow you to carry out your duties at your workstation without causing health problems. If you're outside the height range 151.4cm - 186.9cm, you may require an anthropometric assessment.

Drugs and Alcohol
Due to the safety critical nature of an Air Traffic Controller's job, we have a strict policy regarding the level of consumption of alcohol and a zero tolerance to the use of 'recreational' drugs.

The above is a summary for quick guidance. The full NATS standards can be found here. Candidates should be aware that even if they do not meet the standards for entry into ATCO training with NATS, they may still be granted a UK Class 1 certificate by the CAA if they meet the CAA standards. Such candidates may be acceptable for training as an ATCO by other Air Traffic Services providers.