Description

The ATS system relies on good teamwork to achieve its goals. The greater familiarity of team members with each other, than is the case for flight crew in all but small airlines, makes achieving standard procedures simpler. In addition, fewer procedures are likely to be required and their application may be able to be slightly less prescriptive. However, breakdowns in teamwork can and do occur, and the consequences can be serious.

Operationally, the ATS team can be as small as the controllers and assistants working together in an operational area, or large enough to embrace associated ATC units such as APP, TWR and GND, or wide area coverage within or between ACCs. Supporting operational staff such as flow managers, planners, supervisors, are also important and controllers rely on effective co-operation with them to optimise their work.

Taking a different view, the team can be seen to include the aircraft and airlines to which ATS provide service which is both safe and effficient. At the organisational level, it can be seen to embrace the corporate management which provides direction to unit level and the strategic links to customer organisations, government, regulatory bodies, and international ATC organisations

Effects

Breakdown in teamwork may have an adverse effect on the following:

• Communication between controllers, including briefing on handover;

• Communication between controllers and pilots;

• Situational awareness;

• Decision making;

• Monitoring of pilot actions;

• Monitoring of colleagues;

• Cooperation with other controllers;

• Distribution of workload between controllers;

• Flexibility - ability to adjust to changing workload;

Any or all of these factors taken singly or in combination may contribute to an accident or serious incident.

Additionally, breakdown in teamwork may lead to:

• Frustration and irritation;

• Low morale and poor job-satisfaction;

which are likely to impact on team performance (the vicious circle).

Defences

Many ANSPs operate Team Resource Management (TRM) training for ATCOs.

Contributory Factors

• Staffing levels;

• Controller position design;

• Operation of a just culture;

• Cultural difficulties.

Solutions

The principle and most effective solution is application of TRM principles at all levels of the organisation from management down.

Further Reading

EUROCONTROL Documentation

• EUROCONTROL Guidelines for TRM Good Practices, 18 March 2015
• TRM Brochure;
• Team Co-ordination Study;
• Study Report on Selected Safety Issues for Staffing ATC Operations;
• HF02 Guidelines for Development and Implementation of TRM;
• HF03 Awareness of Human Aspects in Air Traffic Services;
• HF08 Interpersonal Communication;
• HF10 Proceedings of the Second HF Workshop - Teamwork in Air Traffic Services;
• HF11 HF in the Investigation of Accidents and Incidents;
• HF15 TRM Test and Evaluation;
• HF18 Learning and Skills Acquisition;

IFATCA

• Ten Years of Human Factors in Air Traffic Control;

Flight Safety Foundation (FSF)

• Rejected Takeoff Prevents Runway Collision After System of ATC Defenses Fails.