Details:

Creators:
Broach, Dana
Corporate Creators:
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Corporate Contributors:
United States. Office of Aerospace Medicine
Subject/TRT Terms:
[+]
Ability--Testing Air Traffic Controllers Air Traffic Controllers--Selection And Appointment Air Traffic Controllers--Training Of Aptitude Tests Job Analysis Selection And Appointment Task Analysis Training
Publication/ Report Number:
DOT/FAA/AM-13/5
Resource Type:
Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:
United States
Corporate Publisher:
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Abstract:
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) faces two significant organizational challenges in the 21st century: (1) transformation of the current NAS into the Next Generation Air Transportation System (“NextGen”); and (2) recruitment, selection, and training the next generation of air traffic control specialists (ATCSs or air traffic controllers). What aptitudes should be assessed in the selection of future air traffic controllers? This report, the first of three, focuses on the aptitudes required in the air traffic control tower cab. First, the aptitude profile currently required at the time of hire into the ATCS occupation is described based on Nickels, Bobko, Blair, Sands, & Tartak (1995). Second, mid-term (2018) changes in the tower cab are described. Change drivers include increased traffic and the introduction of five decision support tools (DSTs): 1) Airport Configuration; 2) Departure Routing; 3) Runway Assignment; 4) Scheduling and Sequencing; and 5) Taxi Routing (with Conformance Monitoring). Third, the impact of these DSTs on tower cab operational activities, sub-activities, and tasks was assessed. Overall, the activities, sub-activities, and tasks of the controllers in the Ground Control and Local Control positions in the cab will not change with the introduction of these DSTs and associated displays. However, the way the work is performed will change at the keystroke or interface level. Fourth, the impact of the DSTs on aptitudes required of controllers is evaluated. The importance of the following aptitudes will increase in the mid-term: Scanning, across both auditory and visual sources, Perceptual Speed and Accuracy, Translating Information, Chunking, Interpreting Information, Sustained Attention, Recall from Interruption, Situational Awareness, Long-Term Memory, Problem Identification, Prioritization, Time-Sharing, Information Processing Flexibility, and Task Closure/Thoroughness. Two new aptitude requirements were identified: Dispositional Trust in Automation; and Computer-Human Interface (CHI) Navigation. Gaps in current aptitude testing are identified, and recommendations presented for test development and validation to close the gap.
Format:
PDF
Collection(s):
US Transportation Collection FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:2c09d0b6b4df8267dd27a1cf407e6dd04e2fb2e5503c59e936d8146c41a1deba
Download URL:
https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/25748/dot_25748_DS1.pdf
File Type:

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