Effective pilot workload management is one of the most critical skills a pilot can learn. Feeling “behind the airplane” can happen to anyone, but managing tasks, priorities, and situational awareness is what helps ease that feeling.
Let’s take a look into task prioritization in Day 10 of the Safer Pilot Challenge. This shows pilots how to mentally stay ahead of every phase of flight using proven aviation safety principles like aviate, navigate, communicate and real-world flight deck flow techniques.
What Pilot Workload Management Really Means
Pilot workload management is not about doing more, it’s about doing the right things at the right time. The FAA’s foundational concept of aviate, navigate, communicate provides a framework for handling tasks without becoming overwhelmed. Flying the airplane always comes first, followed by navigating to the desired location and finally communicating as needed.
By briefing procedures on the ground, when the aircraft is parked, brakes set, and risk is minimal, pilots create mental space in the air. This proactive mindset dramatically improves situational awareness and reduces task saturation during high-workload moments like takeoff, climb, and landing.
Using Flight Phases to Stay Ahead
Every phase of flight offers opportunities to manage workload more effectively. During the run-up and before takeoff, pillows can brief departure procedures, review checklists, and mentally rehearse transitions. On takeoff, the focus shifts entirely to aircraft control and obstacle clearance before transitioning into the climb phase.
In cruise, workload is typically lower, making it the perfect time to plan ahead. Smart pilots use this phase to review weather, check NOTAMs, anticipate descent planning, and even mentally practice emergency scenarios like engine failures This approach turns quiet time into a powerful safety tool and reinforces single-pilot resource management.
Planning Ahead Makes Landings Easier
Approaches and landings are far less stressful when pilots have already made decisions well in advance. By using the cruise phase to determine runway selection, traffic pattern entry, and descent profiles, pilots can arrive at the airport ready to execute, not scramble.
As demonstrated, effective workload management continues all the way through landing, rollout, and taxi. Having a post-landing taxi plan and completing after landing checklists methodically ensures the flight ends just as safely as it begins.