Air Traffic Control G/A/G Channel Loading Investigation

Data and results of importance in communications systems design are presented from a recent survey characterizing GroundAir-Ground communication channels in Air Traffic Control. Channel utilization is studied because it is a measure of the controller's communication work load. Relationships between channel utilization and air traffic parameters are derived from the data for various controller positions. The utility and validatiens of the relationships are discussed. Observed channel utilization distributions, average values of contact lengths and number of contacts per aircraft, and relationships between contact lengths and air traffic parameters are also presented.