COMPARISON OF PERFORMANCE ON THE SHIPLEY INSTITUTE OF LIVING SCALE, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SPECIALIST SELECTION TEST, AND FAA ACADEMY SCREEN

Abstract : This study was conducted to establish norms for ATCS personnel on a group test of intellectual functioning, the Shipley Institute of Living Scale (SILS), to screen subjects for future research on the effects of Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) related stressors on complex task performance. The SILS provides both verbal (Vocabulary) and cognitive performance (Abstraction) measures of general intellectual functioning. The relationship between SILS and performance of ATCSs in the FAA Academy Nonradar Screen Program (NSP) was also assessed. ATCSs undergo a two-stage selection process: the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Air Traffic Control Specialist Battery and the NSP, a nine-week performance-based screening course at the FAA Academy. The Shipley was administered to three entering groups of new hires (N=563) upon their arrival at the FAA Academy. SILS scores were converted to estimated WAISR Full Scale intelligence scores. The SILS measures were compared to scores on the OPM selection battery and in the NSP. SILS Total, Abstraction, and estimated WAIS-R scores were better predictors of NSP performance than were the SILS Vocabulary Subtest scores. Moderate correlations were found between the final academy score and the SILS and OPM measures. ATCS applicants scored higher on the Abstraction Subtest than the Vocabulary Subtest. ATCSs tend to be above average in intelligence, and tests of cognitive performance tend to be better predictors of overall NSP performance than verbal measures. The normative data can serve as an effective general intelligence screen for subjects involved in ATCS-related research.