Vocational interests of air traffic control personnel

The interest patterns of air traffic controllers were surveyed for the purposes of a) determining the interests of journeyman controllers, b) determining the relationships of controller interests to those of other occupational groups, c) devising an interest scale for air traffic work, and d) developing a measure for guidance for selection of air traffic specialtites (Terminal, En Route, Flight Service). A total of 787 male controllers from Terminal, En Route, and FSS facilities completed the Strong Vocational Interest Blank, a measure of interest patterns. It was found that none of the existing occupational scales clearly reflected the interest patterns of controllers. An air traffic controller scale was devised which distinguished the air traffic controllers from men in general and from men in other occupations. There were no substantial differences between the interest patterns for the three options; however, it was found that dissatisfied controllers scored lower on the overall air traffic controller scale than did satisfied controllers.