Human Factors Implications of Continuous Descent Approach Procedures for Noise Abatement in Air Traffic Control

Continuous Descent Approach (CDA) procedures can be effective at reducing aircraft noise in the vicinity of airports. The human factors implications for the air traffic controller of transitioning from conventional to CDA procedures are addressed in this paper. Different types of CDA procedures are introduced and models are developed of the controller tasks undertaken during current approach operations. The models are used to perform cognitive difference analyses to highlight the implications of using CDA procedures, particularly with respect to differences in intent, controllability and structure-based abstractions in the lateral, vertical and speed domains. An experiment is presented which probes the cognitive implications of changing speed profiles during the approach, which was one of the key differences between the procedures identified in the cognitive difference analysis. Based on the results, recommendations are made for CDA procedure design with a view to easing transition and controller acceptance.