Identifying critical abilities for optimal performance of air traffic controllers: a subject matter expert rating approach.

Objectives. Air traffic control (ATC) is a dynamic and cognitively demanding profession involving complex, safety-critical operations that requires managing both expected and unexpected tasks. Beyond cognitive performance, ATC also demands abilities in other domains. This study aimed to identify and...

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Published in:International Journal of Occupational Safety & Ergonomics Vol. 31; no. 3; pp. 769 - 780
Main Authors: Jafari Roodbandi, Akram Sadat, Choobineh, Alireza, Nami, Mohammad
Format: research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Taylor & Francis Ltd Sep2025
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Sep2025
      vid: 31
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      pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd
      place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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        10.1080/10803548.2025.2461407
        188605127
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        atl: Identifying critical abilities for optimal performance of air traffic controllers: a subject matter expert rating approach.
      aug:
        au:
          Jafari Roodbandi, Akram Sadat
          Choobineh, Alireza
          Nami, Mohammad
        affil: Research Center for Health Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran
      sug:
        subj:
          Aviation
          Task Performance and Analysis
          Job Performance
          Human
          Funding Source
          Questionnaires
          Descriptive Research
          Comparative Studies
          Descriptive Statistics
          Male
          Female
          Adult
          Middle Age
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Male
          Female
      ab: Objectives. Air traffic control (ATC) is a dynamic and cognitively demanding profession involving complex, safety-critical operations that requires managing both expected and unexpected tasks. Beyond cognitive performance, ATC also demands abilities in other domains. This study aimed to identify and rate the abilities essential for optimal ATC performance based on input from subject matter experts (SMEs). Methods. The study utilized the Fleishman job analysis survey (F-JAS), which includes 52 questions on cognitive, sensory-perceptual, psychomotor and physical abilities, and 21 questions on social/interpersonal abilities. Twenty SMEs, with average age 43.5 ± 5.07 years and 20.6 ± 4.3 years of professional experience, rated the required level of each ability in relation to optimum performance in ATC on a 1–7-point scale. Results. Spatial visualization (6.4 ± 0.51) and oral expression (6.22 ± 0.67) in terms of cognitive abilities, reaction time (5.5 ± 0.91) and reaction orientation (5.36 ± 1.06) in terms of psychomotor abilities, and hearing attention (6.27 ± 0.65) and hearing sensitivity (6 ± 0.84) in terms of sensory-perceptual abilities have the highest ability level. Self-control and persistence of effort have the highest rank in social and interpersonal abilities for optimum performance in the ATC job. Conclusions. This study highlights the importance of cognitive, sensory-perceptual and interpersonal skills in ensuring safe and efficient air traffic management.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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