Communications in Air Traffic Control

Communications in Air Traffic Control

Communication refers to the transfer of information from one entity to another. The intention of communication is delivering the message to the recipient in the same terms as the sender intended. Communication is a very crucial element in the field of aviation. It greatly determines the safety of operations in aviation. In air traffic control, traffic controllers use radio as a medium of communication. Communication in ATC takes both verbal and non-verbal formats. Verbal communication facilitates cooperation between pilots, air traffic controllers, cabin crew, ground handlers, ramp operators, airport operators, construction workers, security, airline staff, civilians, and a collection of many other airport specialists. Miscommunication, poor communication, and technical glitches in communication in air traffic control have been the cause to blame for the plane crashed and the deaths of over 2000 people since the mid-1970s (Joao, 2019). Given the gravity of communication in the field of air traffic control, it is necessary to learn what role communication plays in the area and what entails effective communication in air traffic control.

Roles of Communication in Air Traffic Control

One cannot claim to understand communications in air traffic control without having the knowledge and understanding of what roles communication plays in this context. One function which is represented by co in Air Traffic Control is the delivery of reports to relevant authorities and authorized parties. (Hutchins & Klausen, 1996) Mentions that a second officer sends a departure report to the aviation company’s office via radio immediately after they complete their departure paperwork. Stories are crucial because they tell the status of the aircraft, readings on aircraft’s telemetry, and they help establish the next cause of action. If there are problems that need addressing, then such issues get attention from those responsible for tackling such issues

Communication in ATC plays a significant role in task allocation. Effective communication facilitates an efficient division of labor. In their paper, (Bressolle, Pavard, & Leroux, 1998) discuss how controllers adopt a habit of overseeing each other’s actions and conversations. They then adopt a system of division of labor that is well suited to solving difficulties as they arise in real-time.

Communication serves the role of effecting safety precautions, especially during emergencies. Pilots and crew have to communicate to the control tower using specifically prescribed phraseology. Again, pilots must apply proper diction; otherwise, there is the risk of miscommunication. The TCAS (Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems) gives information to the pilot in case of an emergency, which has come about as a result of the violation of separation standards. The information provided by the TCAS includes advice on what actions to take to avoid a collision (Kahne & Frolow, 1996).

The Problem of Miscommunication in Air Traffic Control

Miscommunication is a significant challenge in ATC. Given that communication is based on inferential and decoding processes, miscommunication may occur  (Bressolle, Pavard, & Leroux, 1998). In some instances, the consequences are dire, and they may involve fatalities. (Joao, 2019) Gives an example of a scenario where a miscommunication resulted in a plane crash. Which could have otherwise been avoided had there been sound communication. In this example, Avianca, flight 52 New York, crashed solely because the crew reported: “running out of fuel” instead of using the specific phraseology for signaling an emergency, which usually reads “mayday” or “Pan-Pan”. The control team who received the communication interpreted the remarks as just a concern by the pilot rather than an emergency situation. The fault here fell on the crews’ side for failing to use the specified and prescribed phraseology.

NASA researched 6,527 reports which had been submitted to ASRS. The resulting report categorized miscommunication in aviation into ten separate categories. These categories included misinterpretable communication where there were similarities in phonic references, and pilots and ATC staff would confuse or misinterpret the information they received in communication. The second category was inaccurate messages where there was a problem of transposition. Third category included other inaccuracies in content. The fourth one defined incomplete content in communication resulting in miscommunication — category number five isolated, ambiguous phraseology. Number six was the category of untimely transmission, amounting to miscommunication. Categories seven, eight, nine, and ten were garbled phraseology, absent communication (where communication was not sent), missing (as a result of communication equipment failure), and recipient failing to monitor communications, respectively (1981).

In conclusion, communication plays a vital role in ATC. One is in ensuring safety before and during flights. The other is the effective distribution of tasks and labor while at the same time providing there is efficiency in anticipating and solving problems. Communication ensures that there is a complete cycle of the flow of information and reports both to and from the relevant parties involved in Air Traffic Control. Miscommunication is a significant threat to air traffic control, and there should be measures to ensure that the people involved can anticipate misunderstandings and act quickly to resolve them before any home is done.