Impact of Competency on Performance: An Application to Air Traffic Controller

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 2, 388 - 398, 28.06.2025

Arif Tuncal , Ertan Çınar

https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1639476

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the differences in air traffic controllers' perceptions of competency and performance based on variables such as experience, units, and being an instructor, and to determine the impact of competency on performance along with its sub-factors. The study sample consisted of 397 air traffic controllers in Türkiye. In line with the aim of the study, the Air Traffic Control Competency Scale (ATCCS) and the Performance Scale (PEC), both utilizing a 5-point Likert rating, were used to measure the competencies and performances of air traffic controllers. The analyses revealed that the group with 0-5 years of experience have high perceptions of competency (mean=4.5379) and performance (mean=4.3418) and that perceptions do not differ according to being an instructor or the unit. It was found that 60.3% of the variation in the performance variable was dependent on the competency variable (r=0.777; β=0.796), and there was a positive and significant interaction among all sub-factors. Future research is recommended to adopt a broader and more dynamic approach by examining additional variables, tracking long-term changes, and considering diverse operational contexts to enhance competency and performance in air traffic control.

Keywords

Aviation , Air traffic control , Air traffic controller , Competency , Performance

Thanks

The paper was derived from Arif TUNCAL’s doctoral research titled “Competency and performance in air traffic control” conducted at the Eskişehir Technical University, Institute of Graduate Programs. The authors would like to extend their gratitude to Suat USLU and V. Onur ÇELİK for their invaluable guidance throughout the doctoral research process.

Yetkinliğin Performansa Etkisi: Hava Trafik Kontrolörlerine Yönelik Bir Uygulama

Abstract

Çalışmanın amacı, hava trafik kontrolörlerinin yetkinlik ve performans algılarındaki farklılıkları tecrübe, görev yapılan birim ve eğitmen olma durumu gibi değişkenler bağlamında incelemek ve yetkinliğin performans üzerindeki etkisini alt faktörleriyle birlikte belirlemektir. Araştırmanın örneklemi, Türkiye'de görev yapan 397 hava trafik kontrolöründen oluşmaktadır. Çalışma amacı doğrultusunda, hava trafik kontrolörlerinin yetkinlik ve performanslarını ölçmek amacıyla 5’li Likert derecelendirmesine dayanan Hava Trafik Kontrol Yetkinlik Ölçeği ve Performans Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Analizler sonucunda, 0-5 yıl arası tecrübeye sahip grubun yetkinlik (ort.=4.5379) ve performans (ort.=4.3418) algılarının yüksek olduğu belirlenmiş; ancak eğitmen olma durumu ve görev yapılan birime göre algılarda anlamlı bir farklılık bulunmamıştır. Performans değişkenindeki varyansın %60.3’ünün yetkinlik değişkenine bağlı olduğu tespit edilmiş (r=0.777; β=0.796) ve tüm alt faktörler arasında pozitif ve anlamlı bir ilişki olduğu görülmüştür. Gelecek araştırmalarda hava trafik kontrolünde yetkinlik ve performansın geliştirilmesine yönelik olarak, ek değişkenlerin incelendiği, uzun vadeli değişimlerin takip edildiği ve farklı operasyonel bağlamların dikkate alındığı daha kapsamlı ve dinamik bir yaklaşım benimsenmesi önerilmektedir.

Keywords

Havacılık , Hava trafik kontrol , Hava trafik kontrolörü , Performans , Yetkinlik

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