An Action Theory Perspective to Stress Mitigation and Recovery Strategies in Air Traffic Control Training

We conducted a qualitative study taking a discrepancy-reduction, action theory perspective to extend recent research on stress and stress mitigation in Air Traffic Control (ATC) training. Using semi-structured interviews with six subject matter experts (SMEs) with a variety of ATC instructional experience, we identified key stressors and stress mitigation and recovery strategies relevant to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Academy students, college training initiative (CTI) students, and developmental controllers in field training. The results offered insight into how trainees manage stress in the moment and how training environments can support success. In extending other reports, our results emphasized trainee skill development and confidence-building through repeated practice, as well as the value of supportive instructors. We discuss our results in terms of the importance of instructor-trainee dynamics to building self-regulation skills and fostering active learners who take initiative and see the potential of errors as learning opportunities.