Differential Training Needs and Abilities at Air Traffic Control Towers: Should All Controllers Be Trained Equally?

Abstract

The present study uses job elements identified by subject-matter experts to assess the perceived training needs of air traffic control specialists (ATCSs) who are assigned to towers after successful completion of FAA Academy training. The Director of Air Traffic Services tasked The Air Traffic Resource Management Program (ATX) with conducting a training needs assessment. To measure the needed skills and knowledge of new controllers, a survey was developed by ATX and distributed by the Civil Aeromedical Institute to 172 tower level III, IV, and V facility managers and nine regional Air Traffic Division managers. The survey was used to assess the performance-based skills standards needed by new controllers at the time of entry into a field facility. The training capability of individual towers was also examined. The results indicated that there are some differences in the required training of ATCSs assigned to level IV and V towers. Therefore, the tower assignment of new hires should be identified upon entry into the Academy to better focus on the specific training needs of prospective towers.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1998
Accession Number
ADA340829

Entities

People

  • Dana M. Broach
  • Rebecca A. Agen
  • Richard C. Thompson

Organizations

  • Federal Aviation Administration

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accidents
  • Air Traffic
  • Aircrafts
  • Aviation Accidents
  • Aviation Medicine
  • Clearances
  • Emergencies
  • Environment
  • Flight
  • Governments
  • New England
  • Resource Management
  • Simulations
  • Simulators
  • Standards
  • Training
  • United States

Readers

  • Aviation Safety and Air Traffic Management
  • Military Training and Readiness Simulation
  • Occupational Health and Safety.