Discourse segmentation and the management of multiple tasks in single episodes of air traffic controller-pilot spoken radio communication

The article deals with the peculiarities of professional activity of aviation personnel working for multinational aviation companies and socio cultural factors influencing their work. It is stressed that socio and cross cultural issues may be the reason for misunderstanding in professional and everyday communication. Miscommunications may broadly be applied to a range of verbal communications problems ranging from misunderstandings, such as those due to ambiguity, language structure, to more technical problems. The authors underline that those misunderstandings may be due to cultural differences. Special attention is paid to professional radio communication between an air traffic controller and pilot, which is very important for promotion of flight safety. Studies indicate that miscommunication is a pervasive problem in air traffic control and, although infrequent when considered as a percentage of daily transactions, nevertheless, has been a causal factor in numerous fatal accidents. The conclusion is made about the importance of social factors influencing the choice of certain lexical units and functional styles in radio communication.

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Predictive Validity of a Selection Procedure for Air Traffic Controller Trainees

Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors ◽

10.1027/2192-0923/a000039 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 19-27 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Yvonne Pecena ◽

Doris Keye ◽

Kristin Conzelmann ◽

Dietrich Grasshoff ◽

Peter Maschke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Predictive Validity ◽

Selection Procedure ◽

Air Traffic ◽

Performance Criteria ◽

Training Phase ◽

Air Traffic Controller ◽

Training Performance ◽

Navigation Service ◽

German Aerospace ◽

Training Success

The job of an air traffic controller (ATCO) is very specific and demanding. The assessment of potential suitable candidates requires a customized and efficient selection procedure. The German Aerospace Center DLR conducts a highly selective, multiple-stage selection procedure for ab initio ATCO applicants for the German Air Navigation Service Provider DFS. Successful applicants start their training with a training phase at the DFS Academy and then continue with a unit training phase in live traffic. ATCO validity studies are scarcely reported in the international scientific literature and have mainly been conducted in a military context with only small and male samples. This validation study encompasses the data from 430 DFS ATCO trainees, starting with candidate selection and extending to the completion of their training. Validity analyses involved the prediction of training success and several training performance criteria derived from initial training. The final training success rate of about 79% was highly satisfactory and higher than that of other countries. The findings demonstrated that all stages of the selection procedure showed predictive validity toward training performance. Among the best predictors were scores measuring attention and multitasking ability, and ratings on general motivation from the interview.

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