Office of Aerospace Medicine Technical Reports

FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute


Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-74/8

Title and Subtitle: Aircraft-pilot and other pre-employment experience as factors in the selection of air traffic controller trainees

Report Date: September 1974

Authors: Cobb BB Jr, Nelson PL

Abstract: This longitudinal study of 4,092 ATCS trainees examines the validities of various types of aviation-related experience, separately and in combination, for prediction of success in FAA ATC work--with success defined as retention status within the air traffic control system several years after entry into training.

Of the 4,092 subjects, 1,740 entered Academy basic training during September 1960 through August 1963, before an ATC-Aptitude Testing Battery became operational in the screening of most applicants. The remaining 2,352 ATCSs, the majority of whom were selected from among aptitude-screened applicants, entered Academy training during 1969. Both groups entered prior to establishment of the current standard under which eligibility for training is restricted to personnel no older than age 30.

Key Words: Air Traffic Control Work, Selection, Sex Differences

No. of Pages: 40

Last updated: Friday, June 1, 2012