HOLY ANGEL UNIVERSITY

HOLY ANGEL UNIVERSITY

School of Business and Accountancy

Traffic Control Management: A Case Study of

Federal Aviation Administration

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirement of the Course:
Human Behavior in Organization

Presented to:
Ms. Joy Anne S. Evaristo, MBM

Presented by:
Group 2

Leader: Dayrit, Gian Joshua C.

Members:
Alfonso, Andrea Dane B.
David, Shailene S.
Hernandez, Jhoana Marie T.
Junsay, Joshua M.
Masangkay, Kevin Paul S.

Date of Submission:
March 20, 2021

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. TIME CONTEXT ································································································ 3

II. VIEWPOINT ······································································································ 3

III. OBJECTIVES ··································································································· 3

3.1 SHORT-TERM OBJECTIVES ·································································· 3

3.2 LONG-TERM OBJECTIVES ···································································· 4

IV. AREAS OF CONSIDERATION / SWOT ANALYSIS ··············································· 4

4.1 STRENGTHS ························································································ 5

4.2 WEAKNESSES ······················································································ 5

4.3 OPPORTUNITIES ·················································································· 6

4.4 THREATS ····························································································· 7

V. ALTERNATIVE COURSES OF ACTIONS ····························································· 8

VI. RECOMMENDATIONS ····················································································· 9

VII. CONCLUSION / ACTION / IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ··········································10

REFERENCES·····································································································12

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TRAFFIC CONTROL MANAGEMENT: A CASE STUDY OF FEDERAL AVIATION

ADMINISTRATION

I. TIME CONTEXT

2013

The case dealt with the airline industry, in particular the air traffic controllers

when it was observed that many difficulties caused a high number of operational

accidents. The review of this scenario would make the air traffic controller aware of the

underlying situation and the problems that need to be more addressed.

II. VIEWPOINT

Air traffic controllers are the subject of the situation. The number of qualified air

traffic controllers has been inadequate, and the number of operational errors has

increased between regional and national airports. This means the accidents are both

increased and alarming. It has been stated that it has to do with toxic working

environments that enhance the tension of air traffic controllers. The Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA) hires the majority of air traffic controllers, with others operating

on contract towers operated by private companies in conjunction with the FAA. Since

they operate in airports, the attention will be on the airline management, as they must

find solutions to these problems.

III. OBJECTIVES

3.1 SHORT-TERM OBJECTIVES

a) To ensure the environment conditions of the control center, particularly

lighting, noise, and microclimatic conditions, are suitable and comfortable.

b) To establish and develop effective training programs that concentrate on

measuring and identifying the needs and capabilities of air traffic controller

to enhance their skills.

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3.2 LONG-TERM OBJECTIVES

a) To dramatically mitigate operating failures by determining the root cause,

reducing risks, and developing the decision-making ability of controllers.

b) To improve the working conditions of air traffic controllers and to lessen

their overtime in order to minimize the stress and encourage more potential

air traffic controllers.

IV. AREAS OF CONSIDERATION / SWOT ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

➢ A well-organizational structure ➢ Air traffic controllers became

overworked as a result of their

➢ Possession of one's own training
long shifts.
academy (Federal Aviation Administration

Academy) ➢ Staffing shortages for air traffic

controllers

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

➢ Technological advances ➢ Unpredictable weather

conditions
➢ Strategic partnerships with other

organizations, such as aviation schools ➢ A decrease in the number of

highly skilled air traffic controllers

Figure 1: SWOT Analysis

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4.1 STRENGTHS

1) A well-organization structure

The organizational structure of the Federal Aviation Administration is a functional

organizational structure wherein it divides work by type, e.g., marketing, finance,

production, and administration. The underlying principle in a functional structure is that

the various functional skills are the primary, strategic organizational capabilities—and

so they are emphasized and crucial. Functional forms make it possible for individuals

both inside and outside the organization to know who to contact for specific needs.

Finally, the functional organization is simple and clear group has distinct

responsibilities, making accountability easy to monitor (Clawson, 2008).

2) Possession of one's own training academy (Federal Aviation Administration

Academy)

The North Central Association (NCA) of Colleges and Schools first accredited the

Federal Aviation Administration Academy in 1991. Having its own academy gives the

entity the ability to further develop the structure and the capabilities of its staff. The

FAA Academy's services include designing and offering training classes, organizing,

maintaining, and operating its own distance learning programs, and offering training

program management and consulting.

4.2 WEAKNESS

1) Air traffic controllers became overworked as a result of their long shifts.

In addition to the insufficiency of working air traffic controllers, the heavy usage

of employee overtime contributes to the stress felt by air traffic controllers. This burden

then builds up and ultimately changes how these people act, disrupting the

organization's performance. This could also result in higher costs for the entity because

exhaustion will lead to organizational errors. As per Shakil (2019), the detrimental

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consequences of excessive overtime levels include increased stress and reduced

employee productivity. Overtime and extended working hours may have a negative

impact on job satisfaction in the long term.

2) Staffing shortages for air traffic controllers

The lack of employed and skilled air traffic controllers is apparent, placing

pressure on those who are already employed. The shortage of working air traffic

controllers exhausts the employees and there are times when they are required to do

jobs or tasks that are not in accordance with their expertise to occupy vacant spots.

According to Robert Silk, owing to the 35-day government closure last winter,

the FAA has reduced the estimated number of air traffic controller hires for the 2019

fiscal year by 37%. The major unknown is how this will affect commercial aviation.

Although the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) claims that the FAA

is now facing a severe shortage of controllers, the agency maintains that staffing levels

are already more than sufficient. According to the FAA's annual Air Traffic Controller

Workforce Plan, the FAA has planned to employ 1,431 controllers during the fiscal year

that ends Sept. 30, but it now expects to hire only 907 controllers (Silk, 2019).

4.3 OPPORTUNITIES

1) Technological Advances

Technological advances are reshaping air transport across the world. It is

making flights more effective and environmentally safe. It contributes to increased

security and more efficient flight management and activities. Technology

developments in recent years have resulted in Unmanned Aircraft System designs that

are more efficient, less costly, and simpler to control (Tatum & Liu, 2017). Innovations

in the simulation process are only one of many potential technological advances that

will offer a slew of benefits to the Federal Aviation Administration.

2) Strategic partnerships with other organizations, such as aviation schools

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Strategic alliances between the Federal Aviation Administration and other

agencies, such as aviation schools, would result in the exchange of expertise, the

pursuit of mutual interests, and the promotion of educational achievement, growth, and

change in the air traffic control system. Many aviation schools are covered by the UAA,

and the FAA can want to form a strategic partnership with one of them. As a result,

there will be reciprocal gains as well as various prospects for the FAA and aviation

schools in terms of the air traffic control system.

4.4 THREATS

1) Unpredictable weather conditions

Weather has been a source of concern for aviation safety since the early 1900s,

despite improvements in scientific knowledge although technology, and little is

understood about the features of fatal weather-related general aviation accidents

(Fultz & Ashley, 2016). General aviation, also known as private and non-commercial

aviation, is responsible for more deaths in the United States than any other aviation

type.

2) A decrease in the number of highly skilled air traffic controllers

Air traffic controllers are commonly recognized as one of the working classes

that would cope with a tough task. In reality, it requires a diverse collection of activities

that necessitate extremely high levels of experience and competence, as well as the

functional implementation of specialized skills related to cognitive domains,

communicative dimensions, and human relations. According to Abdollah, Ahmad, and

Hamid (n.d.), the most important thing that must be achieved is to plan and enforce a

holistic program in order to manage workers discomfort, boost general wellbeing,

handle promotion and workplace safety, and accrete their engagement requirements

in decision-making, but sadly, this is not being prioritized. This is the primary cause for

the reduction in the number of professionally qualified air traffic controllers, which

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poses multiple threats. Lack of proper care and education for air traffic controllers

results in a decrease in the number of individuals interested in pursuing this career.

V. ALTERNATIVE COURSES OF ACTIONS

1) Provide trainings and other programs to help Air Traffic Controllers develop

their current expertise.

a) Advantages

▪ This will enable them in improving their efficiency, particularly in

operational errors.

▪ Trainings can aid workers to see traffic, thinking about potential

options, and managing disputes within the company.

b) Disadvantages

▪ Current controllers may feel less inspired because trainings and

exercises would be more tiring for them.

▪ Preparation and other practices are expensive.

2) Incentives should be given to reward good performance by air traffic

controllers.

a) Advantages

▪ They will perform more easily and effectively with less tension

because they appreciate the advantages provided by the business.

▪ Incentives would encourage them to do well at work.

b) Disadvantages

▪ Controllers can overwork themselves because they are only

interested in obtaining benefits, which may have a negative impact

on their health or even their job.

▪ Because of these benefits, costs will increase.

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3) Increase the number of air traffic controllers.

a) Advantages

▪ Operational mistakes will be minimized, and controllers will be able

to consider and focus more objectively about what is best to do.

▪ Hiring additional controllers would minimize each controller's 8-hour

or longer shift.

b) Disadvantages

▪ Hiring additional controllers would raise the expense because you

will have to pay wages.

▪ For certain controllers, it may not be a matter of being overwhelmed

and drained, but more of a lack of energy and sound judgment.

VI. RECOMMENDATIONS

With what we know of our history humans tend to be by their nature limited to

what they can process at a certain amount of time and at a certain amount of pace.

We have what we call mental fatigue that makes it hard for humans to compute in a

consistent pace in long terms. Computing in this instance refers to the analysis,

predicting, forecasting and decision making a human does. Air traffic can be a relatively

new idea to some, but it is something that has existed ever since the birth of mass air

flight. The stress that a person that manages to fly, provide navigation points, and

control traffic are some of the world’s most tiring job because it involves rigorous

thinking. We can interpret it as doing High intensity Interval Training minus the intervals

meaning it is continuous and a hard process. Therefore, it is recommended to Provide

Incentives as a systematic reward for good performance of air traffic controllers. An

organization is a well-oiled machine that runs because of key components that are

lubricated, and of high quality. We analyzed that providing employee benefits not just

in monetary but also investing in their mental health is beneficial in this instance.

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VII. CONCLUSION / ACTION / IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

Person/Unit Time Budget

ACTION PLAN
Responsible Frame Allotment

For the fulfillment of the short-term objective,

the following should be achieved and observed:

▪ Establish a list of credentials that will be

used to recruit potential air traffic

controllers.

▪ To avoid unanticipated issues,

credentials must be specifically adhered

to.
Federal
▪ Assign a professional and competent
Aviation
supervisor to monitor and direct the
Administration 2021 $0.00
employees towards the desired
(FAA)
outcome.
Management
▪ Examine each controller's proper

actions and job execution.

▪ To prevent human malfunctions, appoint

each employee according to their skills.

Management
For the long-term objective: Engage in
Operators $80,000,000 to
conducting training and other programs that
2021
and $120,000
can develop and expand their skills. Its goals
Controllers
are to:

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▪ It will aid management in the

development of qualified air traffic

controllers.

▪ This training would increase awareness

of the system's strengths and

shortcomings as technical advances

are applied in this field.

▪ If incidents occur, traffic air controllers

can go over the do’s and don'ts in more

detail.

▪ It will allow employees to comprehend

the various techniques needed for a

consistent workflow.

▪ They will be able to identify system

alerts to prevent additional concerns as

a result of this.

This guarantees that the machine operates

properly, and that input is accurately obtained

and transmitted.

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REFERENCES

Abdollah, V. N., Ahmad, R., & Hamid, M. H. (n.d.). The effect of job stress on general health

and job performance on air traffic controllers (ATC). IRAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

JOURNAL, 13(1), 47-57. https://www.sid.ir/en/journal/ViewPaper.aspx?id=506553

Clawson, James G. and Pitts, Tammy, Organizational Structure. Darden Case No. UVA-OB-

0361, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=910385

Fultz, A., & Ashley, W. (2016). Fatal weather-related general aviation accidents in the United

States. Taylor & Francis Online. https://doi.org/10.1080/02723646.2016.1211854

Shakil, M.H. (2019, June 26). What is the impact of overtime and long working hours on an

employee? Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_the_impact_of_

overtime_and_long_working_hours_on_an_employee

Silk, R. (2019, June 07). Union and FAA at odds over effect of fewer air traffic controller hires.

Retrieved from https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Union-and-

FAA-at-odds-over-effect-of-fewer-air-traffic-controller-hires

Tatum, M., & Liu, J. (2017). Unmanned Aircraft System Applications in Construction.

ScienceDirect. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2017.07.187

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