Visual analysis in air traffic control (ATC)

Abstract

and most efficient way possible. Air traffic controllers perform complex tasks, some of which involve the analysis of visual inputs. The primary aim of this study was to examine whether there is a relationship between visual analysis and performance during the first training course attended by aspiring controllers. The main sample consisted of fifty-one trainees. An additional twenty-five qualified controllers also completed the visual analysis exercises. Visual analysis was assessed using ScreenX and SAMAE’s Scanning and Division of Attention exercises from Leaderware. The Core Content course reports were used as a measure of performance for trainees. Correlations and regressions were performed. The main results showed that the visual analysis scores were related to performance on ten of the fifteen subjects covered during the Core Content course and the overall course average. These findings have implications for the selection of trainees. Secondary analyses found significant differences in the visual analysis abilities of trainees and qualified controllers