The Federal Aviation Administration’s Approach for Determining Future Air Traffic Controller Staffing Needs (2014) / Chapter Skim
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5 Staffing Implications of the Next Generation Air Transportation System
5 Staffing Implications of the Next Generation Air Transportation System
Pages 108-117
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From page 108... ...
Large vehicles with performance and capabilities similar to those of current manned aircraft will be flying within controlled airspace, and new types of vehicles with substantially different flight profiles will be operating at altitudes, speeds, and routes not covered by current air traffic procedures and air traffic controller training. Similarly, FAA has established a national space transportation policy and directed the Air Traffic Organization and the Office of Commercial Space Transportation to collaborate in integrating increased commercial space operations into the 108
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From page 109... ...
When neighboring en route centers are required to start aircraft down OPDs into the TRACON, controllers often need to give aircraft "vectors" away from their intended course, at the cost of extra fuel consumption and delay that negates the intended benefits of this NextGen operation. As this example illustrates, an understanding of the impact of NextGen on staffing requires the involvement of controllers at all 1 Statement of FAA Administrator Michael Huerta on the National Space Transportation Policy, November 21, 2013.
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From page 110... ...
However, FAA's briefing to the committee indicated that no changes in controller skills and training have yet been identified in connection with NextGen and that assessments of the workforce are not integrated into NextGen plans.2 In addition, FAA's response to a recent letter from the Research, Engineering, and Development Advisory Committee (REDAC) recommending attention to a broader set of human factors issues observed that "the strategic job analysis has shown there is no change expected in the responsibilities of controllers in the NextGen mid-term."3 2 Steve Bradford, presentation to the committee, January 10, 2013.
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From page 111... ...
. There is tacit acknowledgment that NextGen technologies might affect future staffing; the plan notes that the en route staffing models are being examined for the impact of national implementation of the En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM)
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From page 112... ...
the skills that allow a controller to succeed at higher-level facilities. An improved understanding of these matters appears to be critical in planning and executing costeffective staffing plans that minimize the wasted resources associated with selecting controllers who fail to qualify.
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From page 113... ...
For example, the Houston, Texas, en route center has been asked to field several NextGen programs concurrently (Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast, Required Navigation Performance, ERAM, and Optimization of Airspace and Procedures in the Metroplex) .7 In contrast, the implementation of OPD at the Atlanta TRACON (described earlier)
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From page 114... ...
As noted earlier, some facilities (e.g., the Houston en route center) have reported insufficient staffing during the implementation of new technology and procedures.
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From page 115... ...
The cadre concept was used in the late 1980s during the rehost project, which replaced the hardware of the controller workstations in the en route centers. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Finding 5-1.
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From page 116... ...
The CWP should explicitly incorporate the need for involvement of controllers in the development, testing, and implementation of NextGen products and procedures. Cadres of controllers might be established to support the development and testing of specific NextGen programs; as each program is ready to be deployed, the cadres would move from facility to facility to support training and contribute their knowledge about the most effective, least disruptive implementation process.
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From page 117... ...
2005. Air Traffic Control: Characteristics and Performance of Selected International Air Navigation Service Providers and Lessons Learned from Their Commercialization.
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