High-Tech air traffic control group heads for market

A key component of the FAA's selection battery for air traffic controller trainees is the air traffic simulation test (ATST), developed as a job sample and simulation of air traffic control tasks. This study determined whether candidates taking the ATST could be taught strategies to help them achieve superior test performance. In this study, 51 participants completed a two day strategy training and testing session. The experimental group received explicit strategy training, and the control group received equivalent practice but with no strategy training. Strategy training improved key aspects of ATST performance. Training on simple strategies allowing automatic information processing was successful at improving some key aspects of ATST performance, while training on more complex strategies requiring controlled processing did not improve performance. Implications for future research and for short-term strategy training for technical tasks is discussed.

Download Full-text

Air traffic control activity increases attention capacity in air traffic controllers

Dementia & Neuropsychologia ◽

10.1590/s1980-57642010dn40300015 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 250-255 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Valdenilson Ribeiro Ribas ◽

Hugo André de Lima Martins ◽

Gutemberg Guerra Amorim ◽

Renata de Melo Guerra Ribas ◽

Cláudia Ângela Vilela de Almeida ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Traffic Control ◽

Air Traffic Control ◽

Digit Span ◽

Air Traffic ◽

Control Group ◽

Control Activity ◽

Air Traffic Controllers ◽

Serial Addition ◽

The Individual ◽

High Level

Abstract Air traffic controllers simultaneously develop complex and multiple tasks in the course of their activities. In this context, concern is raised over the high level of attention needed by these professionals which can ultimately be affected by stress and fatigue. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess attention level in air traffic controllers (ATCo). Methods: 45 flight protection professionals were evaluated, comprising 30 ATCo, subdivided into ATCo with ten or more years in the profession (ATCo³10, n=15) and ATCo with less than ten years in the profession (ATCo <10, n=15) and 15 aeronautical information services operators (AIS), subdivided into AIS with ten years or more in the profession (AIS³10, n=8) and AIS with less than ten years in the profession (AIS <10, n=7), who were included as the control group. The digit symbol, d2 (the individual marks the letter d on a specific form containing 14 lines with 47 letters in each, maintaining focus on letter d followed by two dashes), forward digit span, backward digit span and PASAT (paced auditory serial addition test) attention tests were used. Kruskal-Wallis was used and data expressed as Median (Minimum and Maximum) with p<0.05. Results: The ATCo³10 presented greater focus of attention, sustained attention, mental manipulation and resistance to interference capacity compared to the AIS³10. Comparison of ATCo³10 to the AIS<10 showed they presented only greater resistance to interference, and when compared to the ATCo<10 presented lower focus. Conclusions: The air traffic control activity after ten years may be associated with a high level of attention.

Download Full-text

Workload Perception of Air Traffic Control Officers and Pilots During Continuous Descent Operations Approach Procedures

Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors ◽

10.1027/2192-0923/a000154 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 2-11

Author(s):

Marina Efthymiou ◽

Frank Fichert ◽

Olaf Lantzsch

Keyword(s):

Fuel Consumption ◽

Traffic Control ◽

Air Traffic Control ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Air Traffic ◽

Reduce Fuel Consumption ◽

Total Load ◽

Open Path

Abstract. The paper examines the workload perceived by air traffic control officers (ATCOs) and pilots during continuous descent operations (CDOs), applying closed- and open-path procedures. CDOs reduce fuel consumption and noise emissions. Therefore, they are supported by airports as well as airlines. However, their use often depends on pilots asking for CDOs and controllers giving approval and directions. An adapted NASA Total Load Index (TLX) was used to measure the workload perception of ATCOs and pilots when applying CDOs at selected European airports. The main finding is that ATCOs’ workload increased when giving both closed- and open-path CDOs, which may have a negative impact on their willingness to apply CDOs. The main problem reported by pilots was insufficient distance-to-go information provided by ATCOs. The workload change is important when considering the use of CDOs.

Download Full-text

How to Evaluate Remote Tower Metrics in Connection With Weather Observations

Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors ◽

10.1027/2192-0923/a000142 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 100-111 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Maik Friedrich ◽

Christoph Möhlenbrink

Keyword(s):

Traffic Control ◽

Air Traffic Control ◽

Influential Factors ◽

Air Traffic ◽

Weather Event ◽

Evaluation Of Performance ◽

Weather Events ◽

Weather Observations ◽

Validation Experiment ◽

Remote Controller

Abstract. Owing to the different approaches for remote tower operation, a standardized set of indicators is needed to evaluate the technical implementations at a task performance level. One of the most influential factors for air traffic control is weather. This article describes the influence of weather metrics on remote tower operations and how to validate them against each other. Weather metrics are essential to the evaluation of different remote controller working positions. Therefore, weather metrics were identified as part of a validation at the Erfurt-Weimar Airport. Air traffic control officers observed weather events at the tower control working position and the remote control working position. The eight participating air traffic control officers answered time-synchronized questionnaires at both workplaces. The questionnaires addressed operationally relevant weather events in the aerodrome. The validation experiment targeted the air traffic control officer’s ability to categorize and judge the same weather event at different workplaces. The results show the potential of standardized indicators for the evaluation of performance and the importance of weather metrics in relation to other evaluation metrics.

Download Full-text