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Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-91/18

Title and Subtitle: Air Traffic Control Specialist in the Airway Science Curriculum Demonstration Project 1984-1990:Third Summative Evaluation

Report Date: December 1991

Authors: Broach, D.

Abstract: The objective of this summative evaluation of the Airway Science Curriculum Demonstration Project (ASCDP) was to compare the performance, job attitudes, retention rates, and perceived supervisory potential of graduates from recognized Airway Science programs with those of individuals recruited through traditional means in the Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) occupation. Previous evaluations conducted by the Higher Education and Advanced Technology Staff (1990) and the University Aviation Association (1990) described institutional and organizational benefits that accrued to the agency, participating institutions, and industry from the Airway Science program.

In this technical evaluation, differences between Airway Science hires (N=312) and a random, stratified sample (N=312) of traditional ATCS hires on eight program objectives were evaluated: (1) interest in an aviation, related career; (2) attrition; (3) technical competence; (4) attitudes toward technological change; (5) managerial potential; (6) human relations skills; (7) female and minority representation; and (8) perceptions of the FAA. One hand, I controllers hired from the Airway Science register expressed significantly more S interest in an aviation-related career (Objective 1) than controllers hired by traditional means. On the other hand, there were no significant differences between traditional hires and Airway Science hires on the remaining criteria.

Overall, the performance of Airway Science hires was about the same as that of traditionally hired controllers. These results are consistent with other evaluations (Broach, 1990; Clough, 1988) conducted within the narrow framework defined by the Federal Register announcement of the demonstration project.

Key Words: Airway Science, Air Traffic Control Specialists, Training, Program Evaluation

No. of Pages: 22