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Imagery ability and air traffic personnel
1School of Physical Education, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|February 1, 1994
Summary
Selecting air traffic controllers is challenging globally. Research in New Zealand indicates air traffic control personnel possess high visual imagery, which they extensively use in their demanding roles.
Area of Science:
- Aviation Psychology
- Human Factors in Air Traffic Control
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- The selection of air traffic service personnel faces global reliability and validity challenges.
- Limited research exists on screening standards, instruments, and procedures for air traffic control (ATC) in New Zealand.
- Psychological factors are crucial in ATC recruitment, yet visual imagery's role is under-explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the significance of visual imagery in the selection and performance of air traffic controllers.
- To address the gap in research concerning psychological screening for ATC personnel in New Zealand.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on ATC selection and psychological factors.
- Analysis of recent research findings from New Zealand and Australia concerning ATC personnel.
Main Results:
- Air traffic control personnel report exceptionally high levels of visual imagery.
- ATC personnel extensively utilize visual imagery as a cognitive tool in their work.
Conclusions:
- Visual imagery appears to be a significant factor in the cognitive abilities of air traffic controllers.
- Further research into visual imagery could enhance the selection and training protocols for ATC personnel.