15h
“Among the UFA technology to be added to ATCFO’s training curriculum is ATSpeak, an e-learning platform that uses a speech recognition and response system to help students exercise their phraseology, knowledge and skills.”
I have no idea what the above sentence means. Someone pleas help me out here. How does this produce more competent controllers? How does it bring more bodies to the learning table? You first need bodies to teach before you can enlighten them with the new technology. It seems to me the cart is being put in front of the horse, or, in this case it’s probably a donkey.
1 reply
12h
▶ tommy
Alright, here’s what ATSpeak actually does, so that we can all understand its purpose: It’s an e-learning system specifically designed to whip air traffic controllers into shape when it comes to phraseology, skills, and knowledge. This isn’t just some slideshow or boring lecture—it uses UFA’s fancy Voice Recognition and Response (VRR) tech to listen to what they say, correct it, and drill proper communication into their heads. It also provides high-fidelity simulation, part-task training, and e-learning tools for all phases of air traffic control: tower, terminal, en route, and precision approach. They get motivational exercises with text, images, and audio to keep ’em on track.
Here’s how it works: Each exercise includes a bunch of clearances to practice, and it’s timed and scored to add a little pressure. Trainees can’t just breeze through, either—several exercises make up a course, and they’ve got to hit a passing grade (if set) before they can move on. It even spits out detailed reports and student records, so instructors can track who’s getting it right and who’s dragging their feet.
And get this—ATSpeak has been enhancing air traffic control training for over a decade, and it’s no slouch. It’s been adopted by organizations like Skyguide in 2017 (ATC NETWORK) and even received accreditation from the U.S. Army for UFA’s simulators the same year (ATC NETWORK). These milestones demonstrate its longstanding presence and credibility in the industry.
And it doesn’t stop there—they claim their customer base includes various branches of the military, the FAA, NAV CANADA, DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung, Skyguide, and even CAAC China. So, no, it’s not some fly-by-night gimmick. It’s a tool being used by big-name players around the globe. It might not get more bodies in the chair, but it sure as hell ensures the ones already there learn how to talk like professionals, handle everything from tower to precision approach, and not mess up critical instructions.
For more detailed information, you can visit UFA’s official page on ATSpeak. (UFA INC.)
1 reply
12h
▶ Raf
Wow… impressive… thanks for the concise explanation Raf. Now if they can just find bodies that are somewhat motivated.
8h
The FAA has had at least two decades to address the shortage of controllers. Technology is great but they don’t have the ability to increase capacity in their training pipeline. The biggest evidence of this is the new initiative where graduates from a CTI program are skipping the FAA academy and going straight to a facility for training. These facilities, like the academy, don’t have enough staff to increase through put.
Has anyone seen actual data on attrition rates for new hire controllers over the last two decades?
5h
Inside scoop…the voice recognition tech is not working as it should. The speed at which the CPU, or even multiple CPUs, need to operate in order to recognize the aircraft involved and the control instructions, then order the CG aircraft to perform the action, is just too fast. This really comes into play when the simulation is generating and moving multiple CG images and targets simultaneously, often ten, or twenty, or more.
And just to be clear, the FAA does not hire controllers, except out of the military or from previous experience. The majority of hires are candidates, who only become controllers through completion of their training program.
