Learning to manage NextGen environments: Do student controllers prefer to use Datalink or voice?

Abstract

The Next Generation Air Transportation (NextGen) system will introduce new automation tools to help air traffic controllers manage the projected increase in air traffic. As automation tools are gradually implemented, there will be a period of time where some air traffic will be managed with traditional voice-based tools and others will be managed with automation tools. The present study examined whether ATCo students prefer to use voice or Datalink more often to solve conflicts, and determine if there were any situations where Datalink was particularly beneficial to students. The present study is an archival analysis of data collected from 50 student ATCos who took part in one of four semesters of an ATCo training internship offered by the Center for Human Factors in Advanced Aeronautics Technologies (CHAAT). We found that students were more likely to use Datalink to resolve conflicts during the midterm than at the final, suggesting early reliance on tools during learning. However, at the final exam, students used voice and Datalink equally often, and indicated that they preferred voice over Datalink. The preference for voice is likely due to it being a more efficient method of controller-pilot communication than Datalink.