Training of U. S. Air Traffic Controllers

Abstract

The program of selecting and training air traffic controllers in the FAA has evolved over many years. It reflects the need to assure standards of performance and safety under such influences as increasing flight operations, varying training loads, union pressures, the need for realistic experience, and frequently changing rules, regulations and procedures. Recent changes in system technology and procedures with associated manpower problems prompted the FAA to reexamine the whole training program. The resulting study by IDA distinguishes operational problems from management ones, determines measures of effectiveness, assesses proper program costs, and compares costs of alternative training schedules. The study addresses selection and training methods, controller performance measurement, standardization and quality control in training, simulator requirements and capabilities, centralized vs. decentralized training, future training requirements, research on training, hiring practices, the training load, and costs. Alternative training programs are evaluated. In four months, as a result of IDA's findings, the FAA designed a new controller training program that emphasizes better personnel selection criteria to reduce attrition; objective measures of controller performance; compression of the elapsed time: for formal training from four years to five months; a restructured, standard training curriculum; greater use of simulators in training and evaluation; centralized control of hiring; research into controller selection, performance measurements, and training techniques; and control of budgeting and allocation of training funds. The new program is expected to turn out qualified controllers with more relevant and uniform training, provide greater assurance of continuing controller quality, and save over 55 million dollars annually.