Editing Air traffic controller (section)

== Working conditions ==

===Work patterns===
Typically, controllers work for 90 to 120 minutes followed by a 30-minute break.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eurocontrol |date=26 Apr 2023 |title=GUIDELINES ON FATIGUE MANAGEMENT IN ATC ROSTERING SYSTEMS |url=https://skybrary.aero/sites/default/files/bookshelf/34421.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219235017/https://skybrary.aero/sites/default/files/bookshelf/34421.pdf |archive-date=19 Dec 2024 |access-date=9 Feb 2025 |website=skybrary.aero}}</ref> Except at quieter airports, air traffic control operates 24/7, 365 days a year, requiring controllers to work rotating shifts that include nights, weekends, and public holidays. Shift schedules are usually set 28 days in advance.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Arnvig |first1=Mette |last2=Beermann |first2=Beate |last3=Köper |first3=Birgirt |last4=Maziul |first4=Maren |last5=Mellett |first5=Úna |last6=Niesing |first6=Cees |last7=Vogt |first7=Joachim |date=14 Apr 2006 |title=Managing Shiftwork in European ATM: Literature Review |url=https://skybrary.aero/sites/default/files/bookshelf/5594.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220094844/https://skybrary.aero/sites/default/files/bookshelf/5594.pdf |archive-date=20 Dec 2024 |access-date=9 Feb 2025 |website=Eurocontrol}}</ref> In many countries, the structure of controllers' shift patterns is regulated to allow for adequate time off. The shift pattern often varies depending on country, facility and its location. In the US the FAA regulates the hours that an air traffic controller may work. Controllers may not work more than 10 straight hours during a shift, which includes required breaks, and must have 9 hours of rest before their next shift.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Air Traffic Controllers |url=https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/air-traffic-controllers.htm#tab-3 |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=Bureau of Labor Statistics |language=en-us}}</ref> In the US air traffic controllers usually work a relatively unique rotating shift schedule, called the 2-2-1. Working the 2-2-1 means rotating between two afternoon shifts, two morning shifts and a midnight shift over the course of a week.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wayback Machine |url=https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/oamtechreports/AM95-19.pdf |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250322043836/https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/oamtechreports/AM95-19.pdf |archive-date=2025-03-22 |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.faa.gov}}</ref>

===Stress===
Many countries regulate work hours to ensure that controllers are able to remain focused and effective. Research suggests, that after prolonged periods of continuous work for more than two hours without a break, performance can deteriorate rapidly, even at low traffic levels.<ref name="Hopkin1995">{{cite book |last=Hopkin |first=V. David |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rJld6gXId3oC |title=Human Factors In Air Traffic Control |date=5 September 1995 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-0-7484-0357-8 |pages=366–367 |chapter=17.7 Work-rest cycles}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Costa |first1=Giovanni |title=Automation and Systems Issues in Air Traffic Control |date=1991 |publisher=Springer-Verlag |isbn=978-3-642-76558-2 |editor1-last=Wise |editor1-first=J. A. |series=NATO ASI Series |volume=F73 |location=Berlin, Germany |pages=267–280 |chapter=Shiftwork and Circadian Variations of Vigilance and Performance |doi=10.1007/978-3-642-76556-8_27 |editor2-last=Hopkin |editor2-first=V. D. |editor3-last=Smith |editor3-first=M. L.}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Folkard |first1=S. |last2=Rosen |first2=S. D. |date=1990 |title=Circadian performance rhythms: some practical and theoretical implications [and discussion] |journal=Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences |volume=327 |issue=1241 |pages=543–553 |doi=10.1098/rstb.1990.0097 |pmid=1970900 |doi-access=free}}</ref> The [[International Civil Aviation Organization]] therefore recommends breaks at least every two hours.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.icao.int/ESAF/Documents/meetings/2016/Air%20Traffic%20Services%20System%20Capacity%202016/ATNS-Guidelines%20to%20reduce%20fatigue%20in%20operational%20environment.pdf |title=Guidelines to reduce fatigue in operational environment |publisher=International Civil Aviation Organization |pages=2 |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Sylvia Noble Tesh]] documented the stresses and challenges faced by air traffic controllers in her 1984 study "The politics of stress: the case of air traffic control." published in the International journal of health services.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tesh |first1=Sylvia Noble |date=1984 |title=The politics of stress: the case of air traffic control |journal=International Journal of Health Services |volume=14 |issue=4 |pages=569–587 |doi=10.2190/JH2E-F62P-WMX8-7NQF |pmid=6500785 |s2cid=37944656}}</ref> In a study which compared stress in the general population and in this kind of systems markedly showed more stress level for controllers. This variation can be explained, at least in part, by the characteristics of the job.<ref>{{Cite journal |author=Arghami Sh |author2=Nasl Seraji J |author3=Mohammad K |author4=Zamani Gh |author5=Farhangi A |author6=van Vuuren W |date=2005 |title=Mental health in high-tech system |journal=Iranian Journal of Public Health |volume=34 |issue=1 |pages=31–37}}</ref>