Analysis of Controllers’ Working Methods Supporting Safe and Efficient Air Traffic Operations

In daily air traffic control operations, controllers achieve safe and efficient air traffic flow even in varied and changing situations which inevitably involve safety risks. For revealing the contributing factors of the successful ATC operations, the present study analyzes the common parts of controllers’ work process from the viewpoint of Safety-II, that is, why things go right. The results show that the typical working methods of controllers can be effective in preventing potential conflicts between aircraft, which can contribute to the reduction of controllers’ workload for monitoring and resolving the potential conflicts especially in congested traffic situations. Through the analysis, a part of controllers’ practical knowledge involved in their working methods is demonstrated.