FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
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Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-90/13

Title and Subtitle: Selection of Air Traffic Controllers for Automated Systems: Applications From Current Research

Report Date: November 1990

Authors: Della Rocco, P.S., Manning C.A., and Wing, H.

Abstract: Over the next two decades, the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) plan for new automated systems will change the air traffic control specialist's (ATCS) job as many of the current controller's tasks become automated. The purpose of this paper was to review the findings from current research on selection of ATCS's that may guide the design of selection systems for future controllers. To accomplish this two lines of research were presented: 1) projected changes in job tasks resulting from planned automation, and 2) the current ATCS selection system. A study completed in 1987 estimated that 48 of 337 job tasks of the enroute controller would be substantially changed with implementation of the Initial Sector Suites (ISSS).

In light of the projected changes, the current selection system was evaluated in terms of the methodologies used for selection and the utility and validity of those methodologies. The current job is a highly complex set of tasks and demands high levels and active application of certain cognitive abilities, such as spatial perception, information processing, reasoning and decision making. Evaluation of the changes projected in the job over the next two decades suggested that a similar performance-based selection system could maintain utility through implementation of the ISSS. However, implementation of the more advanced automation may significantly change the cognitive skills and abilities required for successful performance. Thus, work toward selection for the advanced automated environment should begin immediately.

Key Words: Air Traffic Controller Specialists, Personnel Selection, Advanced Automation, AERA

No. of Pages: 38