An Investigation of the Relationship Between Chronological Age and Indicators of Job Performance for Incumbent Air Traffic Control Specialists

Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Center;Civil Aerospace Medical Institute1999PDFTech ReportHeil, M. C.John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)Civil Aerospace Medical InstituteUnited States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation AdministrationPerformance evaluationsQuality of workTrainingPersonnel performanceAgeSelection and appointmentCognitionAir traffic controllersTestingInvestigationRelationshipChronological ageJob performanceAir traffic control specialistsDOT/FAA/AM-99/18Final ReportOver the last few decades, researchers have consistently found a negative relationship between the age of air traffic control specialists (ATCSs) and both training success and ratings of job performance. As more ATCSs reach retirement age and the Federal Aviation Administration prepares for renewed hiring efforts, there is a need to once again explore this issue. According to Schroeder, Broach, and Farmer (1997), the potential effects of aging on cognitive functioning, and the consequences of these changes on job performance and future training requirements, are important considerations associated with the aging of the ATCS workforce. The present study revisited the issue of ATCS age and performance using incumbent controllers and newly developed measures of job performance. A recent Air Traffic-Selection and Training concurrent validation study afforded an opportunity to investigate the relationship between age and performance using criterion measures that did not exist for previous studies. One of these measures, a computer based performance measure, served as a measure of the technical skills necessary to effectively and efficiently separate traffic on the job. Assessment ratings of job performance by peers and supervisors also served as a criterion measure for the current study. Results of ANOVA and regression analysis revealed that, on average, older ATCSs received lower scores on measures of job performance.119