The FAA Air Traffic Controller Training Program with Emphasis on Student Assessment

Several recent incidents involving human safety in the operation of high technology equipment had led to a renewed interest in human factors in high technology, particularly in the selection and training of operating personnel. This paper describes a long term research effort by the FAA in the selection and training of personnel in the high technology air traffic control specialist occupation. The studies demonstrate that better selection and training of air traffic control specialists resulted in a cost-effective means to enhance human safety by producing more competent high technology air traffic personnel. These studies are generalized to other high technology industries where human safety is a prime concern.