Summative Evaluation of the Collegiate Training Initiative for Air Traffic Control Specialists Program: Progress of Minnesota Air Traffic Control Training Center Graduates in en Route Field Training

Civil Aerospace Medical Institute1998PDFTech ReportBroach, D.United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. Office of Aviation. Civil Aerospace Medical InstituteUnited States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. Office of Aviation. Office of Aerospace MedicineUnited States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. Office of Aviation. Civil Aerospace Medical InstituteUnited StatesAir traffic control facilitiesAir traffic controllersBenefit cost analysisEnroute traffic controlGraduatesKnowledgePerformance evaluationsPersonnel performanceSocial diversityTrainingAir Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS)Education Cost-Benefit AnalysisDOT/FAA/AM-98/22Final ReportThis summative evaluation of the Collegiate Training Initiative for Air Traffic Control Specialists focused on the progress of the Minnesota Air Traffic Control Training Center (MnATCTC) graduates in en route field training. The evaluation compared 136 MnATCTC graduates with 157 FAA Academy graduates on 4 classes of measures: (a) diversity; (b) progress in training at the first assigned field facility; (c) attrition from the first assigned field facility; and (d) performance ratings at the first assigned facility. A cost-benefit analysis for the MnATCTC program was also conducted. There were significantly more women in the MnATCTC (40%) than in the FAA Academy group (17%); there were no significant differences in minority representation. Just 17% of the MnATCTC had achieved full performance level (FPL) certification as of June 1995, compared with 69% of the FAA Academy group. However, time to FPL and attrition rates were similar. MnATCTC graduates were rated significantly lower than FAA Academy graduates by supervisors in teamwork, technical skill, technical knowledge, and overall potential to succeed in the ATCS occupation. Cost analysis found that MnATCTC per-hire costs would be competitive with FAA Academy costs-per-student by FY1998-2000. Cost-benefit analysis found that the MnATCTC would begin returning about $1.45 in avoided costs and savings to the agency for every $1 invested by FY1998-2001, even with continued FAA financial support. However, with a maximum capacity of about 100 graduates per year, the MnATCTC can provide only a small fraction of the FAA controller workforce. In summary, this evaluation found that the MnATCTC program appears to be achieving its stated goals.119