Purpose

This study aims to identify variability in aviation operators in order to gain greater understanding of the changes in aviation professional groups. Research has commonly addressed human factors and automation in broad categories according to a group’s function (e.g., pilots, air traffic controllers [ATCOs], engineers). Accordingly, pilots and Air Traffic Controls (ATCOs) have been treated as homogeneous groups with a set of characteristics. Currently, critical themes of human performance in light of systems’ developments place the emphasis on quality training for improved situational awareness (SA), decision-making and cognitive load.

Design/methodology/approach

As key solutions centre on the increased understanding and preparedness of operators through quality training, the authors deploy an iterative mixed methodology to reveal generational changes of pilots and ATCOs. In total, 46 participants were included in the qualitative instrument and 70 in the quantitative one. Preceding their triangulation, the qualitative data were analysed using NVivo and the quantitative analysis was aided through descriptive statistics.

Findings

The results show that there is a generational gap between old and new generations of operators. Although positive views on advanced systems are being expressed, concerns about cognitive capabilities in the new systems, training and skills gaps, workload and role implications are presented.

Practical implications

The practical implications of this study extend to different profiles of operators that collaborate either directly or indirectly and that are critical to aviation safety. Specific implications are targeted on automation complacency, bias and managing information load, and training aspects where quality training can be aided by better understanding the occupational transitions under advanced systems.

Originality/value

In this paper, the authors aimed to understand the changing nature of the operators’ profession within the advanced technological context, and the perceptions and performance-shaping factors of pilots and ATCOs to define the generational changes.

中文翻译：

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了解航空运营商在先进系统中的可变性

目的

本研究旨在确定航空运营人的可变性，以便更好地了解航空专业群体的变化。研究通常根据一个团体的职能（例如，飞行员、空中交通管制员 [ATCO]、工程师）在广泛的类别中处理人为因素和自动化。因此，飞行员和空中交通管制 (ATCO) 被视为具有一组特征的同质群体。目前，根据系统的发展，人类表现的关键主题将重点放在提高态势感知 (SA)、决策和认知负荷的质量培训上。

设计/方法/方法

由于关键解决方案集中在通过质量培训提高运营商的理解和准备，作者部署了一种迭代混合方法来揭示飞行员和 ATCO 的代际变化。总共有 46 名参与者被纳入定性工具，70 名参与者被纳入定量工具。在三角测量之前，使用 NVivo 分析定性数据，并通过描述性统计辅助定量分析。

发现

结果表明，新老运营商之间存在代沟。尽管人们对先进系统表达了积极的看法，但也提出了对新系统中的认知能力、培训和技能差距、工作量和角色影响的担忧。

实际影响

这项研究的实际意义扩展到直接或间接合作并对航空安全至关重要的运营商的不同概况。具体影响针对自动化自满、偏见和管理信息负载以及培训方面，其中通过更好地了解先进系统下的职业转变可以帮助进行质量培训。

原创性/价值

在本文中，作者旨在了解在先进技术背景下运营商职业的变化性质，以及飞行员和空中交通管制员的认知和绩效塑造因素，以定义代际变化。