Psychological Aspects Operating on the Air Traffic Controller in Reintegration into Action After The Accident

Authors

  • Daniela Čekanová Technical University in Košice, Faculty of Aeronautics
  • Žaneta Miženková Technical University in Košice, Faculty of Aeronautics
  • Ľubomír Fábry Technical University in Košice, Faculty of Aeronautics
  • Róbert Rozenberg Technical University in Košice, Faculty of Aeronautics

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14311/MAD.2016.20.04

Keywords:

Air traffic controller, Incident, Accident, Stress, Trauma, Cope with stress, Return to work

Abstract

The aim of the article is to analyze the psychological aspects of an air traffic controller who controls aircraft, communicates with the crew and encounters the incidents of different nature or even accidents. The work of the air traffic controller requires a high level of responsibility and tension which can often lead to stress and trauma. The first part of this article is highlighting the complexity of the profession and passes to the next section, which explains the context of workload, stress and trauma. Long-term stress and traumatic experience of ATC maybe harmful or contribute to early resignation from work. The selection of suitable candidates and their preparation for the profession of air traffic controller is so demanding that their work and psychological aspects require increased attention from the side of the research.

Author Biographies

  • Daniela Čekanová, Technical University in Košice, Faculty of Aeronautics
    Department of Air Transport Management
  • Žaneta Miženková, Technical University in Košice, Faculty of Aeronautics
    Department of Flight Training
  • Ľubomír Fábry, Technical University in Košice, Faculty of Aeronautics
    Department of Flight Training
  • Róbert Rozenberg, Technical University in Košice, Faculty of Aeronautics
    Department of Flight Training

References

R. Rozenberg, P. Čekan, and T. Čekanová. Psychological load of flight. In Proceedings of the 9th international scientific conference New Trends in Aviation Development, pages 171–173. Technical University of Košice, 2015.

J. Poprenda, R. Rozenberg, P. Čekan, and T. Čekanová.

L'udský faktor v letectve. Elfa, 2009. ISBN 9788080861070.

R. Rozenberg, V. Begera, and L. Melníková. Human factor in formation flying proficiency. In Proceedings of the international scientific conference Aeronautica 2011, pages 11–4. Technical University of Košice, 2011.

V. Socha, J. Schlenker, P. Kalavksy, P. Kutilek, L. Socha, S. Szabo, and P. Smrcka. Effect of the change of flight, navigation and motor data visualization on psychophysiological state of pilots. In 2015 IEEE 13th International Symposium on Applied Machine Intelligence and Informatics (SAMI). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), jan 2015. doi: 10.1109/sami.2015.7061900.

M. Regula, V. Socha, P. Kutilek, L. Socha, K. Hana, L. Hanakova, and S. Szabo. Study of heart rate as the main stress indicator in aircraft pilots. In Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Mechatronics - Mechatronika 2014. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), dec 2014. doi: 10.1109/mechatronika.2014.7018334.

V. Begera and R. Rozenberg. Information technologies of air traffic control centres. In Proceedings of the 9th international scientific conference New Trends in Aviation Development, pages 14–17. Technical University of Košice, 2015.

T. Morin. Psychological impact for air traffic controllers post-critical incident, 2010. URL http://owcp.natca.net/Psychological_Impact_for_Air_Traffic_Controllers_Post_Critical_Incident.pdf. [Online].

M. Džunda and N. Kotianová. Selected aspects of applying communication technology to air transportation. In Proceedings of International Conference on Computer Science and Information Engineering (CSIE 2015), pages 1–7. DEStech Publications, Inc., 2015.

P. Čekan, P. Korba, and J. Sabo. Human factor in aviation - models eliminating errors. In Transport Means - Proceedings of the International Conference, pages 464-467. Kaunas University of Technology, Jan 2014.

James W. Pennebaker and Sandra K. Beall. Confronting a traumatic event: Toward an understanding of inhibition and disease. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 95(3):274–281, 1986. doi: 10.1037/0021-843x.95.3.274.

M. Shields. Long working hours and health. Health Rep, 11(2):33–48, 1999.

Andrea N. Niles, Kate E. Byrne Haltom, Catherine M. Mulvenna, Matthew D. Lieberman, and Annette L. Stanton. Randomized controlled trial of expressive writing for psychological and physical health: the moderating role of emotional expressivity. Anxiety, Stress, & Coping, 27(1):1-17, jun 2013. doi: 10.1080/10615806.2013.802308.

C. S. Mackenzie, U. J. Wiprzycka, L. Hasher, and D. Goldstein. Does expressive writing reduce stress and improve health for family caregivers of older adults? The Gerontologist, 47(3):296–306, jun 2007. doi: 10.1093/geront/47.3.296.

K. A. Baikie. Emotional and physical health benefits of expressive writing. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 11(5):338–346, sep 2005. doi: 10.1192/apt.11.5.338.

Downloads

Published

2016-10-17

Issue

Section

Specialized Articles