ABSTRACT
The management of emergencies and abnormal situations in the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system entails substantial challenges for the air traffic controllers. The fundamental assumption behind the refresher training is to provide air traffic controllers with the required skills and knowledge to meet successfully a wide range of challenges imposed by emergencies and abnormal situations. Using Cognitive Systems Engineering principles, a set of cognitive and team strategies was used to explore patterns of resilience in dyadic teams of operational controllers during real and simulated emergencies in a major European Area Control Centre. The investigation of real incidents pointed to operational problems that were different from those encountered during refresher training. Results indicated a substantial gap between formal training requirements and unattained operational problems that may have safety repercussions. This chapter summarises initial findings with the potential of providing insights in cultivating sources of resilience that will supplement current refresh training.
