Air Traffic Control Specialists Research Articles

Determination of the most dangerous flight modes of aircraft in icing conditions

In this paper, the object of research is the icing of aircraft surfaces during flight in the atmosphere. On many light aircraft, as well as on unmanned aircraft weighing less than 30 kg, there are no on-board de-icing systems. Nevertheless, aviation events occur with these aircraft, which are a consequence of their icing. Therefore, determining the most dangerous flight modes of aircraft in icing conditions is an urgent task. In view of the high cost of conducting flight tests and the impossibility of covering all possible events due to their potential danger, the complexity of creating flight conditions for aircraft in icing conditions on the ground, the mathematical modeling method was used in this study. To solve this problem, the analysis of the airworthiness standards of civil light aircraft, transport category aircraft, rotorcraft of normal and transport category was carried out within the framework of the work, the influence of various parameters on the thickness of ice build-up was investigated using a computational experiment conducted on the software developed by the authors of the article. On the basis of the results of the computational experiment, the dependences of the ice thickness on various icing parameters were obtained, a method was developed for determining the combination of heights and flight speeds of an aircraft, at which ice of the greatest thickness is formed on the surface of aircraft, other things being equal. Possession of this information will allow the aircraft crew and air traffic control specialists to avoid the most dangerous flight modes in terms of icing.

Models and algorithms for decision support and their use in the simulator training of air traffic control specialists

The organization of safe and efficient transportation of goods and passengers by air requires the rationalization of the air traffic control system. It is from the operating results of this system that all the qualitative characteristics of the transportation process depend on. At the same time, a special role in this system is given to the control unit inclusive of one or more air traffic control specialists, whose main professional duty is to control air traffic within their area of responsibility based on continuous monitoring of the air situation. As part of this activity, controllers daily make important decisions, the correctness of which directly affects the integrity of aircraft, crews, and passengers. The stated above causes the crucial significance of high-quality training of air traffic control specialists, encompassing the development of skills and abilities, based on specialized training complexes. Therefore, within the framework of this article, an analysis of modern simulators for training controllers was carried out, which made it possible to emphasize their identical structural elements. Additionally, the weaknesses of modern simulator training were identified, associated with the significant labor costs for instructors and the obvious deficiency of reserves for expanding the typical composition of risk events. With reference to the stated above, the key characteristics of an optimally built training complex were worked out, based on the use of modern decision-making support systems in the process of air traffic control specialists training. Adaptation of these models and algorithms will automate the instructor’s position and ensure the dynamism of the system in the field of replenishment of possible air traffic options.

Psychological features of emotional stability as a safety factor of air traffic specialists

The article presents the empirical study on emotional stability and other personal cognitive, emotional and volitional factors affecting flight activities performed by transport aviation personnel. Emotional stability mobilizes body functions for the successful performance of a particular activity; it correlates closely with patterns of behavior, strong-willed efforts aimed at this activity, i.e. it provides different emotional changes for the most adequate mobilization of air traffic specialists. That is, the reliability of air traffic specialists’ professional work depends on indicators of their emotional stability. The article purpose is to investigate empirically transport aviation personnel’ emotional stability depending on the indicators: thinking flexibility, neuroticism, behavioural patterns in a stressful situation, personal anxiety, resilience (psychological hardiness). In order to study air traffic control specialists’ emotional stability, we used the psychological examining techniques determining the characteristics of thinking flexibility, personal anxiety, behavioural patterns in stressful situations (behavioural types, adaptive strategies at stress, internal control in stress situations). Our study involved civil flight crew members and air traffic controllers. The obtained results allowed us to perform correlation analysis and comparative analysis using SPSS software package. The performed correlation analysis showed that emotional stability correlated with behavioural patterns in a stressful situation (r = 0.396, at p≤0.05) and personal anxiety (r = 0.404, at p≤0.05), which indicated the balance preservation in difficult situations, the ability to reconcile emotional experiences without suppressing them. The comparative analysis helped outline further research and prospects for aviation psychologists’ work to maintain air traffic control specialists psychological health.

Visual Search and Conflict Mitigation Strategies Used by Expert en Route Air Traffic Controllers

The role of the en route air traffic control specialist (ATCS) is vital to maintaining safety and efficiency within the National Airspace System (NAS). ATCSs must vigilantly scan the airspace under their control and adjacent airspaces using an En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) radar display. The intent of this research is to provide an understanding of the expert controller visual search and aircraft conflict mitigation strategies that could be used as scaffolding methods during ATCS training. Interviews and experiments were conducted to elicit visual scanning and conflict mitigation strategies from the retired controllers who were employed as air traffic control instructors. The interview results were characterized and classified using various heuristics. In particular, representative visual scanpaths were identified, which accord with the interview results of the visual search strategies. The highlights of our findings include: (1) participants used systematic search patterns, such as circular, spiral, linear or quadrant-based, to extract operation-relevant information; (2) participants applied an information hierarchy when aircraft information was cognitively processed (altitude -> direction -> speed); (3) altitude or direction changes were generally preferred over speed changes when imminent potential conflicts were mitigated. Potential applications exist in the implementation of the findings into the training curriculum of candidates.

THE STUDY OF COMMUNICATIVE TENDENCY TO AGGRESSION FROM AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS

The paper presents the results of the study of various forms of communicative aggressiveness of cadets - air traffic controllers and active air traffic controllers according to the questionnaire of V. V. Boyko. The article substantiates the relevance of studying communicative aggressiveness as a professional destruction of an air traffic control specialist. The author reveals the most characteristic forms of communicative aggressiveness of air traffic controllers and the consequences of their manifestation in professional activity. The study gives a comparative analysis of the severity of the main forms of communicative aggressiveness in both groups of respondents. The paper reveals a tendency to expand the forms of communicative aggressiveness of active air traffic controllers in comparison with cadets receiving appropriate education. The article indicates the forms of prevention of this personality trait in the conditions of obtaining higher professional education by cadets.

Using cognitive task similarities to compare UAS control station designs to air traffic control workstations: a pilot study

This study examines possible similarities between the cognitive tasks of air traffic control specialists (ATCS) and unmanned aircraft system (UAS) pilots as a pilot study to determine if the results from air traffic control (ATC) human factors research can be applied to the creation of Federal Aviation Administration UAS control station design standards. Ultimately, demonstrating such similarities in a pilot study could provide a safer and more cost-efficient avenue for UAS integration into the National Aerospace System as gaps in UAS research could then be filled by existing ATC studies rather than through the commissioning of new studies. In this study, an empirical analysis was conducted on possible similarities through an extensive literature review and a small population sampling. The results of this study support the existence of similarities between the cognitive tasks of ATCSs and UAS pilots; however, these findings are preliminary. Further research is needed to prove the applicability of ATC studies to UAS research.

Using Eye Movement Data Visualization to Enhance Training of Air Traffic Controllers: A Dynamic Network Approach

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) forecasted substantial increase in the US air traffic volume creating a high demand in Air Traffic Control Specialists (ATCSs). Training times and passing rates for ATCSs might be improved if expert ATCSs’ eye movement (EM) characteristics can be utilized to support effective training. However, effective EM visualization is difficult for a dynamic task (e.g. aircraft conflict detection and mitigation) that includes interrogating multi-element targets that are dynamically moving, appearing, disappearing, and overlapping within a display. To address the issues, a dynamic network-based approach is introduced that integrates adapted visualizations (i.e. time-frame networks and normalized dot/bar plots) with measures used in network science (i.e. indegree, closeness, and betweenness) to provide in-depth EM analysis. The proposed approach was applied in an aircraft conflict task using a high-fidelity simulator; employing the use of veteran ATCSs and pseudo pilots. Results show that, ATCSs’ visual attention to multi-element dynamic targets can be effectively interpreted and supported through multiple evidences obtained from the various visualization and associated measures. In addition, we discovered that fewer eye fixation numbers or shorter eye fixation durations on a target may not necessarily indicate the target is less important when analyzing the flow of visual attention within a network. The results show promise in cohesively analyzing and visualizing various eye movement characteristics to better support training.

Using a Multidimensional Pairwise Preference Measure of Personality to Predict Training Success of Air Traffic Control Specialists

Studies have shown that cognitive ability relates to success in training as an air traffic control specialist (ATCS). The relationship between measures of personality and success in ATCS training is less clear. An area of concern is that personality tests are susceptible to faking and that job applicants may respond in a socially desirable manner to increase their odds of being hired (Paulhus, 2002). Personality measures that use a multidimensional pairwise preference item format tend to be fake-resistant (Underhill, Bearden, & Chen, 2008), leading to renewed interest in the use of personality assessments in personnel hiring. We report an initial assessment of one such measure, the Tailored Adaptive Personality Assessment System-Federal Aviation Administration for predicting success of ATCS trainees in Academy training. We found personality facets to account for an additional three to four percent of the variance in training success of individuals over a measure of cognitive ability.

Using Biodata to Select Air Traffic Controllers

Biodata factors were examined as predictors of training performance for candidate air traffic control specialists (ATCSs). These factors, which have been shown to predict controller training performance in previous research, were highest educational degree achieved, grade point average both in high school overall and in high school math courses, aviation operations experience, pilot licenses held, and age. Results from logistic regression analyses were only partially supportive of previous research. Age was the most consistent (inverse) predictor of training success. Most of the other factors did not predict training success. Differences between these results and previous research might be attributed to differences in the criterion measures, samples, and generational differences. Overall, the evidence for using the assessed biodata factors for selection was weak. We suggested that a new biodata instrument be developed to assess and identify experiences to predict performance of the next generation of controllers.

A study on how to improve communication effectiveness of air traffic controllers

As the objective of air traffic control (ATC) services is to achieve flight safety and efficient aircraft operations, the role of air traffic controllers is vital in the aviation system as a result. In this paper, the controller’s interactions were explored in terms of communications. The study was conducted through survey on the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) ATC controllers to identify any discrepancies in their viewpoints on the role of communication in their profession. In order to diminish differing points of view and ensure effective communication, the experienced controllers should commit to creating the desired work environment and every controller must keep in mind that mutual trust is a vital part of a successful organization. Instructions in accordance with the regulations, improvements in job satisfaction and self esteem, communication training, and individual endeavors fostering effective communication are all measures which will go a long way toward improving effective communications between the ATC specialists.

The Impact of Reweighting the AT-SAT Subtests on Group Score Differences

The Air Traffic Selection and Training (AT-SAT) test battery is an aptitude test that was developed as the selection tool for the Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Control Specialists (ATCSs). Before operational use, however, concerns were raised about the low scores of incumbent ATCS personnel (who participated in the initial research) and score differences between groups, which could result in adverse impact (possible unfair discrimination). To address these concerns, the subscores of the AT-SAT were reweighted and the constant was changed to yield a new total score. This study found that the new weighting formula has benefited all groups and is likely to reduce the potential of adverse impact.

Air Traffic Control Specialist Age and En Route Operational Errors

U.S. federal law requires that air traffic control specialists (ATCSs) hired after May 16, 1972 retire at age 56 on the premise that the risk of adverse events such as operational errors (OEs) increases with age (U.S. House of Representatives, 1971). OE count was modeled as a function of en route ATCS age and exposure to test that premise using Poisson regression. The odds of OE involvement for older (age 56 and older) and younger (age 55 or less) ATCSs were equal. These results suggest that the rationale for mandatory retirement of controllers might need to be reexamined through continued research.

A Study of Field Independence and United States Military Air Traffic Controllers

Research was conducted using United States Air Force (USAF) and United States Navy (USN) Air Traffic Control Specialists (ATCSs). The Embedded Figures Test (EFT) was used to assess the existence of the underlying ability of field independence. This study investigated the hypothesis that active duty military ATCSs, as a group, tend to be more field independent than a comparable group of military personnel who were not controllers. This research effort showed that the underlying ability of field independence was possessed by the military ATCSs in the samples used.

New Directions for ATC Training: A Discussion

The air traffic control system is changing due to implementation of automation systems to avoid congestion and to increase safety, efficiency, and economy of flights. Consequently, the nature of an air traffic controller's job is also changing. Therefore, knowledge requirements of air traffic controllers should be revised. In this article, we discuss the need for revision. Then we propose revised knowledge requirements and compare them with United States and French practices. Based on findings of comparison, we propose that colleges should provide air traffic control specialist training despite the challenges due to the nature of the air traffic control job.

Displays in air traffic control

Commercial aviation is becoming more and more important these days. From year to year there is an accelerated increase in the density of air traffic. The resulting fast growth in the flow of data between controllers and the technical systems they use, as well as that between controller and pilot, calls for new means of communication and visualization of information and interaction with it. Revised concepts for air traffic control must be applied, to deal safely with the increasing volume of traffic in the future. The main focus must be on designing an appropriate interface to support the interaction between ground and cockpit, making the communication as efficient, convenient and secure as possible. This undoubtedly goes further than just making information accessible in a digital format. Despite the importance and complexity of the subject, interdisciplinary projects to achieve this were launched only recently. However, as time goes on, more ergonomics specialists, psychologists and designers are working in this field dominated by engineers and programmers. So far, only a few cooperative projects have been undertaken between information designers, interaction designers and air traffic control specialists to create new interface solutions. This is all the more surprising since the structuring and visualization of this immense flow of data, the mapping of dynamic processes and the search for new means of communication constitute a highly interesting field. There is a strong belief that only such cooperation can lead to a coherent product, if interfaces are to be developed which can unfold the potential of the new Datalink-technology. The project described in this article was undertaken at the Design Department of the University of Applied Sciences Cologne, in cooperation with engineers from the Berlin University of Technology/ Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics/ Section Flight Guidance and Transportation and IT-specialists and air traffic controllers from Skyguide (Zürich and Geneva). After a brief summary of the general situation in air traffic control and the work that controllers do, my aim in this article is to present a feasible interface solution for the arrival/departure sector, one of the most crucial areas of air traffic control.

Free Flight and the Air Traffic Controller: Active Control versus Passive Monitoring

Free Flight, as originally proposed by the RTCA (1995), would allow transfer of authority for separation of aircraft from the air traffic controller to the pilot. More recent proposals have called for final authority to rest with the controller (FAA, 1997). These proposals have differing implications for the controller in terms of active control and passive monitoring. The present study investigated the effects of active control versus passive monitoring and traffic density on controller mental workload, performance, and memory in an air traffic control (ATC) task simulating FF conditions. Eighteen ATC specialists participated in an ATC simulation. Independent variables were (1) active control versus monitoring of traffic and (2) moderate versus high traffic density. Dependent variables included accuracy and timeliness in detecting potential conflicts, accepting and handing-off aircraft. Mental workload was assessed with a secondary task, heart rate variability and NASA-TLX ratings. Controller memory of aircraft positions was tested. Results showed detrimental effects of high traffic and passive control on performance. High traffic density increased mental workload. The detrimental effects of passive monitoring on controller performance validate the recent proposal to keep separation authority with the controller.

Pilot Performance and Workload Using Traffic Displays to Support Free Flight

Arising from the need to employ innovative solutions to safely and efficiently maintain air traffic separation in increasingly denser skyways, the concept of Free Flight involves shifting some air traffic management responsibilities from air traffic control specialists on the ground, to pilots in the cockpit. Such a shift in traffic management responsibilities will be critically dependent upon the development of displays to provide traffic and hazard information to pilots in the cockpit (Wickens, Carbonari, Merwin, Morphew, & O'Brien (1997; Battiste (in progress); Johnson, Battiste, Delzell, Holland, Belcher, & Jordan, 1997). This research examined the effect of different information-varying display aids (predictors and threat vectors) for in-cockpit traffic displays, on pilot performance, workload, attentional demands, and flight safety. Fifteen pilots flew a series of traffic avoidance scenarios in a Free Flight simulation designed to assess the effects of different levels of traffic display information on these pilot variables. Three, 2D-coplanar prototype displays were compared which differed in the level of traffic information provided. Analysis of the data revealed that the traffic display with the most predictive information supported increased safety and decreased workload, without appreciable decrements in flight performance or efficiency.

Some effects of 8- vs. 10-hour work schedules on the test performance/alertness of air traffic control specialists

A 10 h 4 d rotating shift schedule worked by some Air Traffic Control Specialists (ATCSs) was compared to the more traditional 8 h 2-2-1 rapidly rotating schedule. Measures of performance and alertness were obtained from a group of 52 ATCS at an en route ATC center on tasks in the NIOSH fatigue test battery. Additional information on sleep patterns, mood, and somatic complaints was also gathered. Results confirm that tests comprising the NIOSH battery are sensitive to fatigue and diurnal variations associated with a rotating shift schedule. Test performance of ATCSs on the 10 h shift did not differ from those on the 8 h schedule for any of the parameters, when comparing the initial 4 d of the work week. Test performance was notably poorer on the night shift that occurred on the final (fifth) day of the 2-2-1 8 h schedule. For both schedules, there was evidence of changes in alertness on some of the NIOSH performance measures within work days and across days of the week. Changes in test performance and mood ratings corresponded to the decline in self-reported sleep time across the work week. Relevance to industry The increased emphasis on compressed work weeks within industry and other settings has raised a number of issues concerning how longer work days impact sleep, fatigue, mood, and performance. There have been relatively few attempts to systematically utilize field studies to gather relevant data so that managers have a scientific basis for decision-making. This study is one example of an approach to developing a more effective data base for decision-making regarding both a rapidly rotating shift schedule and a compressed work schedule.

The implications of data-link for representing pilot request information on 2D and 3D air traffic control displays

Twenty-three participants (six air traffic control specialists, and 17 pilots trained in fundamental ATC skills), performed a simulation in which they were required to evaluate pilot requests for flight plan changes, issued by aircraft depicted on their display. Some requests could be safely granted, whereas others would bring about a mid-air conflict with other aircraft. Participants evaluated the requests in the context of an airspace depicted on either a conventional 2D planar display or a 3D perspective display. Requests were presented either as voice messages or were displayed visually. Visual requests were either printed at the bottom of the display or represented as vectors, emanating in the requested direction from the requesting aircraft. The results indicated that controllers performed more accurately than pilots, and that performance was generally equivalent with the 2D and the 3D display. Overall performance was best with the auditory-verbal request mode. It was considerably slower with the print mode, presumably because of the greater visual scanning required. The spatial vector mode offered performance that was faster than print, but considerably less accurate. Particular deficiencies were noticed with the vector mode when it was used to present complex 3-dimensional requests in the context of the 3-dimensional display. The results are discussed within the context of their relevance for data-link technology and advanced ATC display concepts.

Attention Distribution and Situation Awareness in Air Traffic Control

A study was conducted to investigate the way in which controllers deploy their attention in processing information in en route air traffic control scenarios. Actual air traffic control scenarios in which operational errors occurred were re-created using SATORI and displayed to twenty active air traffic control specialists. SAGAT was used to measure the subjects' ongoing understanding of the scenarios along pertinent situation awareness requirements. The data revealed an interesting pattern of attention distribution in processing the displays that can be linked to prior findings regarding operational errors in air traffic control.