United States Department of Transportation
i
The Outcome of ATC Message Length and Complexity on en Route Pilot Readback Performance
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2009-01-01
[PDF-2.77 MB]
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Abstract:Field data and laboratory studies conducted in the 1990s reported the rate of pilot readback errors and communication problems increased as controller transmissions became more complex. This resulted in the recommendation that controllers send shorter messages to reduce the memory load imposed on pilots by complex messages. More than 10 yrs have passed since a comprehensive analysis quantified the types and frequency of readback errors and communication problems that occurred in the en route operational environment. Hence, a content analysis was performed on 51 hrs of pilot and controller messages that were transmitted from five en route facilities in the contiguous United States between March and August 2006. This report contains detailed and comprehensive descriptions of routine air traffic control (ATC) transmissions and how ATC message complexity and message length affected pilot readback performance. The results show that message complexity had a statistically significant effect on the production of errors of omission only, while message length affected both the production of errors of omission and readback errors (substitution and transposition errors). When pilots requested that controllers repeat their messages, often these messages included the names of fixes, waypoints, and intersections, as well as the name of the next controlling sector or facility. Five recommendations are made: (1) No more than three aviation topics should be included in an ATC transmission. (2) A route clearance should be given as a stand-alone transmission. (3) The names of all fix, waypoint, location, and other identifiers should be repeated, and if necessary, spelled out following their first recitation. For example, “Cleared direct cobad that's charlie oscar bravo alfa delta” or “Cleared direct cobad c-o-b-a-d.” (4) Slang should not be used or accepted as part of aviation phraseology. (5) Effort should be undertaken to reduce excessive words/phrases — on, your, to, is, etc.
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