Factors on Ground Communicating in Mactan Cebu International Airport

A Thesis Paper presented to

The College Department of Aircraft Maintenance Technology

Indiana Aerospace University

Lapu-Lapu City

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Bachelor of Science in Aircraft

Maintenance Technology

Leader :

Manalo, Shun Dayne D. (MWF 2:00PM - 3:00PM)

Members:

Amista, Michael Raymond S. (MWF 2:00PM - 3:00PM)

Bacalso, Axl Clouie B. (MWF 2:00PM - 3:00PM)

Borbajo, Rheyven C. (MWF 2:00PM - 3:00PM)

Del Mar, Erickson A. (MWF 2:00PM - 3:00PM)

Descartin, Jefferson Adrein B. (MWF 2:00PM - 3:00PM)

Gatdula, James Rheino A. (MWF 2:00PM - 3:00PM)

Ledon, Christian P. (MWF 2:00PM - 3:00PM)

Villarin, Alfred Louis P. (MWF 2:00PM - 3:00PM)

BACKGROUND

The main importance of communication in aviation is to increase the levels of safety and reduce
accidents that may be avoided. Effective communication is a highly important component of
aviation safety. To reduce the likelihood of catastrophic aviation catastrophes that may be
avoided with effective communication, all professionals in the aviation business have a great
duty to raise their level of understanding and communication. The Ground-to-Ground radio
system is a radio system that is utilized for communication between ground stations to help with
agency coordination to assure the safe, quick, and effective execution of ground operations.

In this section, we briefly introduce the main theory found in this study is the “modern
communication theory” (Claude Shannon, 1948) and this study is anchored in the article based
on ICAO provisions regarding communication failure as well as on best practices guidance
identified by EUROCONTROL, communication effectiveness and efficiency represent the most
important pillars to maintain and improve safety in all airline operations and proper care must be
taken so that any miscommunications can be minimized or avoided which might lead to an
aircraft disaster. JOSH GILSTRAP (NOVEMBER 1, 2019)

Communication issues and errors can arise for pilots and copilots, crew, ATC, and ground
personnel. Communication issues include: Mispronunciation Non-English speakers frequently
mispronounce information, Misunderstanding Misunderstandings cause the majority of aviation
communication mishaps. It can be caused by speech tempo, intonation, stresses, phrase structure,
or pauses. Both native and non-native English speakers make mistakes.

The purpose of this study is to assess the factors affecting ground communication in Mactan
Cebu International Airport and what needs to be done to improve communication during aircraft
repositioning, maintenance procedures, and engine operations.

Concerned citizens conducted the study to investigate the issues affecting ground communication
at Mactan Cebu International Airport, particularly in the areas of aircraft repositioning, engine
operations, and maintenance procedure.
AIMS OF THE STUDY

This study aims to assess the factors affecting the ground communication in Mactan Cebu

International Airport for C.Y 2021-2022 Specifically, this study seeks to answer the following

sub-problems:

1. What are the factors affecting ground communication in Aircraft repositioning, Engine

Operations, Maintenance Procedures?

2. What are the problems encountered by the Aircraft maintenance personnel and Air traffic

controllers?

3. What action plan is proposed for the study’s improvement?

RESEARCH METHOD

The researchers will use qualitative and quantitative methods of research, thus, triangulation
approach to assess the impact of the factors affecting ground communication to the aviation
personnel in Mactan Cebu International Airport. The research will adopt a descriptive and
correlational type. Qualitative date will back up statistical computation to achieve findings with
an acceptable degree of accuracy since qualitative research double checks quantitative research.
The Qualitative method allows the respondents to give in- depth, detailed answers by personal
interviews. The researchers also have an opportunity to explore their responses and clear any
ambiguity before analyzing and publishing the collected data. All data gathered will be based on
respondents' answers in order to acquire detailed information that will be beneficial for the
success of this research.

RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT

The location of the study is in the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) at Lapu-
Lapu Airport Road, Ibo, Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan, Central Visayas. The airport has a 3,300-
meter-long runway that was constructed in 1956 as an emergency airport for the United States
Air Forces’ Strategic Air command bombers and was known as the Mactan Air Base. There are
two terminals at Mactan-Cebu International Airport. Domestic arrivals and departures are
handled by Terminal 1, while international flights are handled by Terminal 2. The Mactan
International Airport is managed and maintained by the Mactan-Cebu International Airport
Authority (MCIAA) and owned by the Department of Transportation and Communications of the
Philippines (DOTC). The Control tower area and Airport Apron, where the primary respondents
to our research are the Air traffic controllers and aircraft maintenance personnel, will be the
focus of our study.
RESEARCH RESPONDENTS

There are two groupings. Respondents are from terminals 1 and 2, with ten (10) Air traffic
Controllers and ten (10) Aircraft Maintenance Personnel at terminal 1. There will also be ten (10)
air traffic controllers and ten (10) aircraft maintenance personnel at terminal 2. Totaling forty
respondents.

The key respondents will be the Air Traffic Controllers and Aircraft Maintenance personnel of
Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) who will respond to the survey questionnaires. The
researchers will only choose the respondents.

DATA GATHERING INSTRUMENT

Self-made survey questionnaires and interview schedule were developed to analyze and appraise
the collection of pertinent data. The respondents (workers of air traffic controllers and aircraft
maintenance employees) were asked to provide information about their name, age, gender, civil
status, educational background, and number of years of work experience in the first section. The
second section addressed how likely it is that this element may impact ground communication in
the context of aircraft repositioning. It will be graded on a scale of 1 to 4: 1 being not at all
likely, 2 being fairly likely, 3 being very likely, 4 extremely likely. The likelihood that this issue
will impact ground communication in the region of engine operations will also be covered in the
third section. The final section addressed the likelihood that this element will impact ground
communication in the context of maintenance operations.

Additionally, focus groups will be held, and later interviews with air traffic controllers and other
professionals in the field of aircraft maintenance will be undertaken. Participants will be asked a
series of open-ended questions in a semi-structured fashion during the interview, according to the
interview guide.
 Respondents Actual Frequency Rate
Terminal 1
Air Traffic Controllers
Aircraft Maintenance 10 25%
Personnel
Terminal 2
Air Traffic Controllers
Aircraft Maintenance 10 25%
Personnel
Total:

Respondents Frequency Rate

Terminal 1
Air Traffic Controllers 10 25%
Aircraft Maintenance 10 25%
Personnel
Terminal 2
Air Traffic Controllers 10 25%
Aircraft Maintenance 10 25%
Personnel
Total: 40 100%
STATISTICAL TREATMENT OF DATA

The statistical treatment of data used a four-point scale with numerical range, descriptive
equivalent, and interpretation in evaluating the addressed how likely it is that this element may
impact ground communication in the context of aircraft repositioning, engine operations, and
maintenance operations.

Area: Aircraft Repositioning

Scale range Descriptive Interpretation

Equivalent
4 3.26 – 4.00 Extremely likely The factor affects
extremely likely in this
area in most cases
3 2.51 – 3.25 Being very likely The factor affects very
likely in this area in most
cases
2 1.76 – 2.50 Being fairly likely The factor affects fairly
likely in this area in few
cases
1 1.0 – 1.75 Being not at all likely The factor did not affect
at all likely in this area

Area: Engine Operations

Scale range Descriptive Interpretation

Equivalent
4 3.26 – 4.00 Extremely likely The factor affects
extremely likely in this
area in most cases
3 2.51 – 3.25 Being very likely The factor affects very
likely in this area in most
cases
2 1.76 – 2.50 Being fairly likely The factor affects fairly
likely in this area in few
cases
1 1.0 – 1.75 Being not at all likely The factor did not affect
at all likely in this area
Area: Maintenance procedures
Scale range
4 3.26 – 4.00
3 2.51 – 3.25
2 1.76 – 2.50
1 1.0 – 1.75
Descriptive Interpretation
Equivalent
Extremely likely The factor affects
extremely likely in this
area in most cases
Being very likely The factor affects very
likely in this area in most
cases
Being fairly likely The factor affects fairly
likely in this area in few
cases
Being not at all likely The factor did not affect
at all likely in this area
 PART VII
Problems Encountered
Directions: Check as many as applicable to the situation.

Others- (specify)
 APPENDIX D

QUESTIONNAIRES
Factors on Ground Communicating in Mactan Cebu International Airport
(Questionnaire for Air Traffic Controllers and Aircraft Maintenance Personnel)
PART I

Name:
Age:
Gender:
Civil Status:
Educational background:
No. of years work experience:

A. Area: Aircraft Repositioning

How does this affects in ground communication in this area? : Please indicate by checking each
statement below that corresponds to your perception. Your honest response is sought for with
objectivity and confidentiality. Please use the following scale:

4 – Extremely likely
3 - Very likely
2 - Being fairly likely
1 – Being not at all likely

Aspects 4 3 2 1
Radio Interference
Malfunction of communications
equipment
Controller designs incorrect frequency
English language in communicating
Native language in communicating
 B. Area: Engine operations

How does this affects ground communication in this area? : Please indicate by checking each
statement below that corresponds to your perception. Your honest response is sought for with
objectivity and confidentiality. Please use the following scale:

4 – Extremely likely
3 - Very likely
2 - Being fairly likely
1 – Being not at all likely

Aspects 4 3 2 1
Radio Interference
Malfunction of communications
equipment
Controller designs incorrect frequency
English language in communicating
Native language in communicating

C. Area: Maintenance procedures

How does this affects ground communication in this area? : Please indicate by checking each
statement below that corresponds to your perception. Your honest response is sought for with
objectivity and confidentiality. Please use the following scale:

4 – Extremely likely
3 - Very likely
2 - Being fairly likely
1 – Being not at all likely

Aspects 4 3 2 1
Radio Interference
Malfunction of communications
equipment
Controller designs incorrect frequency
English language in communicating
Native language in communicating
 APPENDIX E
FACTOR ON GROUND COMMUNICATING IN MACTAN CEBU
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
(Interview Schedule for Air traffic controllers and Aircraft Maintenance personnel)
Respondents Profile

Name:_____________________Age:_____Sex:_____Address:_______________

1. What is your observation on fellow employees who are not active listeners?
_____________________________________________________________________
__________________
_____________________________________________________________.

2. What experiences have you encountered during rainy weather that could hinder
effective communication?
________________________________________________________________________
_________________
________________________________________________________________________
_________________ ___________________________________.

3. Rank the five (5) factors you consider critical in the Airport apron in ground
communication?
________________________________________________________________________
_____________
________________________________________________________________________
_____________
________________________________________________________________________
_____________ ________.

4. What are your recommended solutions to these problems?

______________________________________________
October 1, 2022

DR. EUGENE TORING

(Position)
Lapu-Lapu City

Dear Dr. Toring,

Greetings!

I am a student in Indiana Aerospace University taking Bachelor of Science in Aircraft

Maintenance Technology and presently pursuing my dissertation entitled “FACTORS ON
GROUND COMMUNICATION IN MACTAN CEBU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT”.

In this connection, I would like to ask your permission to interview Aircraft Maintenance
Personnel and Air traffic Controllers in Mactan Cebu International Airport, Terminal 1 and 2
directly involved in our research. Rest assured all data gathered are considered confidential and
will not be used for any other purpose.

I am hoping for your favorable response on this request.

Very truly yours,