North-West England · NATS Air Traffic Control
Applying for an ATC role at Manchester Airport?
Manchester Airport is the UK's third busiest airport and the largest outside London. It handles over 25 million passengers per year and serves a wide mix of short-haul European, long-haul and cargo operations. NATS provides ATC at Manchester, and trainee controllers must pass the national NATS Stage 1 aptitude battery.
Manchester Airport has two runways and sits beneath some of the busiest en-route airways in the UK. Controllers manage a complex mix of domestic, European and intercontinental traffic, requiring strong spatial awareness, rapid calculation and systematic decision-making — exactly what the NATS Stage 1 tests measure.
The NATS Stage 1 battery takes approximately 75 minutes and is completed online before progression to an assessment centre. Tests cover spatial reasoning, numerical reasoning, logical reasoning and situational judgement.
ATC Practice's practice platform replicates the style and difficulty of all four Stage 1 test types with 155 questions, randomised per attempt, and full explanations to help you understand not just the correct answer but the reasoning behind it.
What's included in ATC Practice
Spatial Reasoning
40 questions · 20 min
Numerical Reasoning
40 questions · 20 min
Logical Reasoning
40 questions · 20 min
Situational Judgement
35 questions · 25 min
NDB Direction
24 questions
Switch — Dual Task
6 rounds
Manchester Airport — common questions
Is the NATS test the same for Manchester as for London airports?
Yes — the NATS Stage 1 aptitude battery is standardised nationally. The same tests are used regardless of the airport or ATC unit you are applying to.
What ATC salary can I expect at Manchester?
Qualified ATC officers at Manchester typically earn £48,000 to £70,000 depending on endorsements, experience, and shift patterns.
About NATS Stage 1 selection
What tests are in the NATS Stage 1 aptitude assessment?
The NATS Stage 1 online assessment covers spatial reasoning, numerical reasoning, logical reasoning and situational judgement. These cognitive aptitudes are proven predictors of air traffic control training success. Candidates who practice under timed conditions perform significantly better.
How competitive is NATS air traffic controller selection?
NATS receives thousands of applications each year for a limited number of trainee places, making it one of the most competitive selection processes in UK aviation. Strong aptitude-test performance at Stage 1 is essential to progress to the assessment centre.
Do I need experience or a degree to apply?
No. NATS does not require a degree or prior aviation experience for trainee air traffic controller roles. You typically need to be 18 or over and meet GCSE requirements in maths and English, along with medical and eyesight standards. Selection is based primarily on aptitude.
What does ATC Practice include?
ATC Practice covers Spatial Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Situational Judgement, NDB Direction and a dual-task simulation — all timed, full-length and with explanations. One payment of £10 gives unlimited access with no subscription.
Start practicing for Manchester Airport today
One payment of £10 gives you unlimited access to all the NATS Stage 1 practice simulations. No subscription, access never expires.
Get full access — £10↩ 14-day satisfaction guarantee · No subscription