Manageable stress

Press, 10 February 1986, Page 8

Manageable stress

Air traffic controllers also have a psychological aptitude test. Their test identifies the assured while exluding the overconfident. Controllers also prefer to be busy but not hectic.

A certain number of decisions that carry major responsibility must be made in a certain time. If too much time is spent on one, there is a domino effect and pressure goes on all the others. Messrs John Seeker and John Wilson, Christchurch air traffic controllers, explain the complexity of the situation is in the number of aircraft, speed of aircraft, air space available and type of equipment. Controllers here look after more air space than those in Europe so need to be more flexible.

When busy times are

approaching, says John Wilson, there tend to be butterflies in the stomach, faster pulse rate, shuffling feet and clicking of biros. Once it is busy there is total absorption in the work. Controllers must especially concentrate, he says, when going from busy to quiet to avoid being lulled into complacency.

John Seeker says a psychological protective mechanism is to look at the job clinically. In terminology for example, the air traffic controller talks to the aircraft, not the pilot. It is important not to take the job home, he says, and to be able to relax with family leisure activities.