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Economic Factors affecting Safety of Air Traffic Management

Updated: Feb 18, 2021

Thanh Tùng Source FACEBOOK 05/20/2020

Hi guy I am studying about the topic that which economic factors affecting the SAFETY of Air Traffic Management.


I dont have any experience about it.


From your valuable experience,, Could you please show me some example.


Many thanks to you


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Let me try to quickly answer your question out of the top of my head just to give you some guidance. Although I advise you to significantly deepen your research on the subject.

Probably you want to check factors associated with runway incursions and loss of separation in air traffic control (ATC) first and then how those factors are associated to economic factors.

E,G. HUMAN FACTORS: We air traffic controllers perceive stimuli from the environment (traffic situation) and have the potential to interpret the information (situational awareness) correctly or incorrectly. Given the interpretation, the air traffic controller may or may not have the intention to carry out the correct action (apply separation based on ATC Standard Operating Procedures) in response to the stimuli, and may or may not execute the intended action correctly. The human factors that have been identified in studies as potential antecedents to safety events in ATC were: information processing, attention, task engagement, memory, workload, situation awareness, mental models, decision-making and the human-machine interface. During operations, air traffic controllers must consider various contextual complexities, for example, airspace design, workload and air traffic flow management, workplace design (staffing and the physical setting), coordination procedures, radio telephony requirements, adverse meteorological conditions, standard and complex traffic scenario, and malfunctions.

It's a very complex scenario, but in the end, behind every unsafe event there is a human error. But where is the error? Maybe the air traffic controller (s) made a mistake, or maybe not all the economic resources were allocated to TRAIN and SUPPORT the air traffic controller (s) involved in such events, or maybe the management of the organization couldn’t put the system together to support its ATC staff adequately. So, what is the importance of the financial resources on ATM Safety? Recently a National Air Transportation Service Provider (not going to mention which) bought a multimillion ATC surveillance system based on price, loan conditions and a political PR strategic action. Guess what happened. The project was a total failure. The system is still sitting there useless as a reminder of how things can go wrong when people are not trained correctly. With the arrival of emerging technologies such as Advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Analytics, Augmented Reality / Virtual Reality, Blockchain, Robotics, Internet of Things, etc. acquiring Multi-Lateration Surveillance systems, remote simulation/academic systems, communication systems is a very complex task that requires technical expertise and skills. Unfortunately, our people is not generally trained for that and much less outsiders.

End result: time, effort, a lot of money were wasted. There is a lot of frustration because they have to go back to square one, but the financial resources were already spent. Safety is compromised for undetermined time, and there is a major political, managerial, and operational scandal. Why? because of external pressure and management lack of training in areas such as Strategic Planning, Project Management, Functional Competence, ATC/Aviation Emerging Technologies, Value-based pricing among many other disciplines which contributed to the failure of the project and all the negative consequences. Which brings up to another conclusion; Money is undeniably very important, but cannot replace neither integrity, nor sound decision-making, nor competency, nor adequate execution. In my opinion Air Traffic Control training will be forced to evolve. Eventually our professional profile will require a College Degree in Science, Major Air Traffic Control,


Minor Information Technology Management. Some colleges have upped their curriculum to a college degree but the insist on their inefficient old school approach.

That evolution will require a significant investment, will require a major change in mentality within our workforce, and will change the structure of our organization, our operational procedures providing the base for more efficiency and safety.

Nito and all my colleagues, BE SAFE and hope this impromptu commentary could trigger some ideas and results for your thesis.

Yours. Orlando Coronel Director, General Aerospace Systems





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