Problems in air traffic management: III. Implications of age for training and job performance of air traffic controllers

Abstract

The relationships between chronological age upon entry into A TC training and school and job performance were examined in five samples of air traffic controller trainees. The data confirm conclusively the existence of an inverse relationship such that the older trainees have significantly less chance than their younger classmates of either completing training or being considered a satisfactory controller. Based upon the results of this investigation it is recommended that a maximum age limit bt> established for entry into ATC training. The relationship between the age of air traffic controller trainees, A TC school success and, subsequently, job performance has been a topic of concern to FAA officials for some years. As part of two more extensive investigations ( 2, 3) of air traffic controllers, the Civil Aeromedical Research Institute has recently complete9 a study of the relationships between trainingentry-age and school and job performance. The present paper describes the results of these investigations with respect to age. PROCEDURE Samples Five samples of A TC trainees were utilized three for investigation of job performance and two for school performance. Since separate training programs are conducted at the FAA Aeronautical Center at Oklahoma City for trainees assigned to Air Route Traffic Control Centers ( Enroute) and for those assigned to Terminal areas, and because of apparent and significant differences in the input age distributions to the two courses, these two types of trainees were treated separately where appropriate. Sample 1: Trainees entering the A TC Euroutc training course at the Aeronautical Center in August, 1960, through April, 1961, constitute the first sample. Of the 361 students in 16 classes, 281 successfully completed the training course and 80 failed. The few men who withdrew for personal reasons, such as health or illness in their families, were excluded from all aspects of the study. Sample 2: This sample overlaps Sample 1. It is composed of all Enroute trainees of the August, 1960, through January, 1961 classes. Of the 217 trainees in these 10 classes, 172 successfully completed the training course and 45 failed. In September, 1961, job performance information and other criterion data, to be described subsequently, were requested and received from the FAA field facilities to which course graduates had been assigned. Data were obtained for all 164 graduates. Sample .3: Trainees entering the ATC Terminal training course at the Aeronautical Center in September, 1960, through April, 1961, form the third sample. Of 157 students in 13 classes, 146 successfully completed the training course and 11 failed . The few men who withdrew for personal reasons were excluded from all analyses.