scholarly journals The Decision-Making Practices among Air Traffic Controllers during Conflict Resolution in Aviation Industry: A Case Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 66-79
Author(s):  
Sherrie Winer Anthony ◽  
Rusli Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Conflict Resolution ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Civil Aviation ◽  
Aviation Industry ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Qualitative Phenomenology ◽  
Air Traffic Controllers

The study explores decision-making practices among Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) in the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) in Sarawak, Malaysia, using the Cynefin Framework. The study intends to identify related factors that influence decision-making practices, explore how decisions are made during conflict resolution, and describe the coping strategies in decision-making practices by ATCOs. The qualitative phenomenology case study method was used to collect data and one-to-one interviews with the ATCOs. Content analysis is used to analyse the data. The findings showed that ATCOs types and working experiences influence the way they make decisions. Decision-making among ATCOs is like the Administrative Model in which they must follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) as their strategies in decision-making. Findings contribute toward an understanding of current decision-making practices, which would inform relevant policies and professional training development programmes.

scholarly journals A Field Study of Work Type Influence on Air Traffic Controllers’ Fatigue Based on Data-Driven PERCLOS Detection

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (22) ◽  
pp. 11937
Author(s):  
Jianping Zhang ◽  
Zhenling Chen ◽  
Weidong Liu ◽  
Pengxin Ding ◽  
Qinggang Wu
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythm ◽  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Field Study ◽  
Control Unit ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Civil Aviation ◽  
Aviation Industry ◽  
Air Traffic Controllers ◽  
Work Type

The fatigue of air traffic controllers (ATCOs) on duty seriously threatens air traffic safety and needs to be managed. ATCOs perform several different types of work, with each type of work having different characteristics. Nonetheless, the influence of work type on an ATCO’s fatigue has yet to be demonstrated. Here, we present a field study in which the fatigue of ATCOs working in two types of work was compared based on an optimized data-driven method that was employed to detect the percentage of eyelid closure over the pupil over time (PERCLOS). Sixty-seven ATCOs working within two typical jobs (i.e., from the terminal control unit (TCU) and area control unit (ACU)) were recruited, and their fatigue was detected immediately before and after shift work using PERCLOS. Using a Spearman correlation test analysis, the results showed that the influence of work type on an ATCO’s fatigue had interesting trends. Specifically, the ATCOs at the TCU who handle departures and arrivals, which include converging with and maneuvering around conflicts, retain normal circadian rhythms. Their fatigue was significantly influenced by the various demands from tasks focusing on sequencing and conflict resolution and by the time phase of a normal circadian rhythm. At the ACU, ATCOs manage flights that are mainly on route, causing monotonous monitoring and routine reporting tasks, and the ATCOs generally have frequent night shifts to handle overflights. Their fatigue was significantly influenced by the demand characteristics from tasks, but changes in fatigue rule were not consistent with a normal circadian rhythm, revealing that the ATCOs’ circadian rhythms may have already been slightly disturbed. Furthermore, the interactions between task demand and circadian rhythm with an ATCO’s fatigue were significantly observed in ATCOs working in the TCU but not in those in the ACU. This study provides first evidence that an ATCO’s work type influences his or her fatigue. This discovery may incite stakeholders to consider work type in the management of employee fatigue, not only in the civil aviation industry but also in other transport industries.

scholarly journals Addressing air traffic controllers’ English language proficiency needs: Case of Zenata Airport

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-183
Author(s):  
Ghania Mekkaoui ◽  
Noureddine Mouhadjer
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Aviation Industry ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Listening Skills ◽  
Air Traffic Controllers

The current paper is a contribution to the field of ESP in aviation industry in an Algerian context. It was conducted in Zenata –Messali el Hadj Airport. It was a case study research that is intended to explore the English language deficiencies and problems Algerian air traffic controllers may face in their work, as well as to identify their lacks, needs and wants. To overcome their    difficulties a needs identification and analysis was conducted thanks to various instruments: interviews, a questionnaire, classroom observation. The results indicated that all informants involved in the current research were aware of the importance of the English language in aviation industry, as low proficiency in this language might lead to misunderstanding, and dangerous situations. Air traffic controllers reveal their need to develop their language proficiency namely in speaking and listening skills with special focus on vocabulary and grammar. To conclude English language is important in aviation industry. A good mastery of this language helps avoid misunderstanding and keep aviation safety. Thus, Algerian air traffic controllers need to enhance their English language ability thanks to appropriate English courses and well trained ESP teachers. Keywords: ESP; English Language Proficiency; Air Traffic Controllers; English for Aviation.

Zagreb and Tenerife

2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 22.1-22.14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Cookson
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Native Speaker ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Civil Aviation ◽  
Air Traffic Controllers ◽  
Swiss Cheese Model ◽  
Accident Causation ◽  
Airline Accidents ◽  
Cheese Model

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is currently implementing a program to improve the language proficiency of pilots and air traffic controllers worldwide. In justifying the program, ICAO has cited a number of airline accidents that were at least partly caused by language factors. Two accidents cited by ICAO are analysed in this paper: the mid-air collision above Zagreb in 1976, and the runway collision at Tenerife in 1977. The paper examines the linguistic factors involved in each accident, such as code switching and L1 interference, and uses the ‘Swiss cheese’ model of accident causation developed by Reason (1990) and adapted by Wiegmann and Shappell (2003) to put these factors into a broader aviation context. It is shown that, while linguistic factors were in each case significant, both accidents occurred as the result of multiple causal factors, many of which were non-linguistic. Furthermore, stress and fatigue played a decisive role in exacerbating the linguistic factors in each accident. Finally, the paper suggests lessons that may be drawn from the analysis for the training of pilots and air traffic controllers, both nativespeaker and non native-speaker.

scholarly journals Chinese EFL Learners’ Decision-making While Evaluating Peers’ Texts

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingjing Ma
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Peer Review ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Writing Proficiency ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Stimulated Recall ◽  
Chinese Writing

Approaching peer review from a process and contextualized perspective, this exploratory case study investigates two Chinese EFL learners’ decision-making patterns while evaluating peers’ texts in an online peer review and factors influencing these patterns. Detailed qualitative case study data were collected through think-aloud protocols, stimulated recall, semi-structured interviews, classroom observation and document analysis. Analyses indicate that the two learners with higher level of English writing proficiency to a certain extent illustrated contrasting patterns of decision-making, and yet both prioritized specific aspects of peers’ texts. Student-related factors such as perceptions of good English expository writing shaped by previous learning and assessment experiences of English (or Chinese) writing, type of writing task and weaknesses of student text interacted with one another to influence the participants’ decision-making patterns. Pedagogical implications for the findings are discussed.

scholarly journals Impact of Job Stress on Job Satisfaction among Air Traffic Controllers of Civil Aviation Authority: An Empirical Study from Pakistan

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Iqbal ◽  
Muhammad Adnan Waseem
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Job Stress ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Civil Aviation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Quantitative Methodology ◽  
Air Traffic Controllers ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of job stress on job satisfaction of employees and also to find out the drivers for the job stress, which contribute to create job stress which ultimately negatively affect job satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach – The study is mainly based on review of the existing literature and collection of data through an adopted questionnaire survey, conducted from the selected sample of Air Traffic Controllers of Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority. A total of 134 questionnaires were distributed among the sample which is selected using the technique of cluster sampling. 122 respondents returned the questionnaire, which are utilized for the analysis purpose. Findings – The results of the current study indicate that there is a negative relationship between job stress and job satisfaction. Those air traffic controllers who had high level of job stress had low job satisfaction. Research limitations – This research paper is based on a specific case of Air Traffic Controllers of Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority. So the results are applicable specifically to Air Traffic Controllers of Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority or other fields in the same industry. A quantitative methodology is used to investigate the problem. Future research can investigate the problem by using a mix of quantitative and qualitative research methodology. Practical implications – The practical implications of the paper include implementation of the results provided by researcher to decrease the employees’ level of stress and increase job satisfaction level. Originality/value – The study is conducted first time in the field specifically highlighting the stress issue. It can be a base for the future research in this area.   Keywords – Job Stress, Job Satisfaction, Air Traffic Controllers

scholarly journals Improving the training of air traffic controllers: Opinions from instructors in Singapore

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Ng ◽  
Isaac Levi Henderson
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Control ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Civil Aviation ◽  
Skill Sets ◽  
Just Culture ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Air Traffic Controllers ◽  
Convenience Sampling ◽  
Training Team

Air traffic controllers play a vital function with regard to ensuring the safety and efficiency of international civil aviation. Despite this, there is a lack of research addressing how air traffic controllers are trained. This paper collects opinions about the air traffic control (ATC) training programme in Singapore from a group of 30 instructors who were working within the aerodrome training team. Convenience sampling was used to recruit the participants and thematic analysis was used to identify key opinions. Significant advantages and disadvantages of the current training programme were identified, such as pre-training and simulator constraints. In addition to findings relating to the learning of required skill sets, interviews also highlighted the need for a just culture in the workplace and human factors training.

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