Interpersonal Communication Analysis

1111 Words3 Pages

In the aviation industry, communication between pilots and air traffic controllers experience boundless barriers to effective communication that we can link to many interpersonal communication processes. We will explore how fundamental these barriers relate to the aviation industry through the interactive communication model, listening techniques, perception as a process, and dynamic changes in contexts from domestic to international borders. These barriers will display how miscommunication is present between pilot and air traffic control, highlighting how imperative communication is to safety in the aviation industry and how communication serves as an exceedingly vital role in daily operations between pilots and air traffic controllers in …show more content…

Both parties serve as communicators exchanging messages through channels in search of feedback to effectively convey pertinent information. As pilots and air traffic controllers communicate through these channels, they encounter great barriers due to noise interference. Communicating purely over radio frequencies via a two-way radio; noise is an inevitable factor due to static and ambient noise impeding on clear transmissions affecting the quality and clarity of the message (Howard, 2008). These interferences can be caused from either inside or outside the aircraft through; engine noise, unauthorized transmissions, wiring issues, squelch white noise, atmospheric conditions, and even high voltage devices such as strobe lights. Receiving only pieces of information, known as broken transmissions, can be very disruptive to the flow of a flight because only one communicator can be transmitting on the frequency at a time; thus clogging up the radios causing the controller to relay the same message a second …show more content…

Emergencies are a rare and unforeseen occurrence, but serve as a primary example of how pilots perceive situations differently. Every pilot is thoroughly trained to handle many emergency situations and have simulated them countless times. Although, as an emergency arises at FL300, the situation becomes a reality and the pilot has to effectively execute intelligent and knowledgeable decisions to counter the emergency at hand. When pilots become preoccupied with other tasks, or are interrupted, there is not a good “memory trigger” to help them remember to go back to the previous task (Veillette, 2007). Referencing checklists, troubleshooting switches, and communicating with the co-pilot are a few items that are promptly exhausted in attempt to isolate the situation. If the emergency continues, the pilot has to effectively communicate to air traffic control declaring the emergency and receive first priority over all other arriving or departing aircraft. An emergency adequately measures the ability of the pilot to make correct decisions based on the initial perception of the problem and the actions utilized to ensure safe

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