Commercial Fixed Wing
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 5
Communication Breakdown; Human-Machine Interface; Distraction; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Procedure; Company Policy; Human Factors
MISAPPLICATION OF 4TH LINE 'PRESENT HEADING'ZID Indianapolis Center sectors abutting the southeast area of ZAU Chicago Center have controllers who routinely misapply 'PH'[Present Heading] in the 4th line.Today at ZAU sector 36 FWA/Fort Wayne I observed two instances:1.) Aircraft X climbing FL187 to FL220 and turned right of course (from direct FWA) but the data block read 'PH;' which is incorrect. This aircraft was in ZID sector 32/33 MIE/ROD Muncie/Rosewood2.) Aircraft Y at FL240 and turned left of course from FWA. But data block read 'PH' incorrectly. ZID sector 88 DAY DaytonRemedial training for ZID controllers. Headings are more meaningful-and legal-when they are 10R; 15L; 320; etc. PH is only for when an aircraft is to fly a heading beyond a fix where they would otherwise turn.
Chicago Center Controller reported that Indianapolis Center controllers are not using the letters PH (Present Heading) correctly when entering the information in the fourth data block.