EN-ROUTE OPERATIONAL ERRORS AND SITUATION AWARENESS

En route operational errors that occurred during 1993 were analyzed to determine if controllers who were aware that an error was developing differed from unaware controllers in the type and severity of errors t hey made. Neither the personnel nor the air traffic situation distingu ished ''aware'' from ''unaware'' controllers. However, unaware control lers were more likely to commit certain technical and cognitive mistak es. In addition to differing in the types of mistakes they made, unawa re controllers were involved in more severe operational errors. This d ifference in severity was eliminated, however, when the groups were eq uated on the frequency with which technical and cognitive errors were made.