STRESS AND WORKLOAD IN PILOTS

Abstract

The increase in physiological activity which occurs in pilots during flight and especially during takeoffs and landings was previously studied. It was demonstrated that pilots'' heart rates increase during the landing approach to reach a peak at or just before touchdown. These changes were attributed to workload and to psychological or emotional stress. A number of test pilots'' heart rate responses recorded during various flight trials involving different types of aircraft was examined. Examples include ramp takeoffs in a VTOL [vertical takeoff and landing] fighter, automatic landings in fog, supersonic flight through monsoon rain and a sortie in which the pilot developed acute appendicitis. Heart rate responses in experienced pilots apparently were influenced almost entirely by workload-related factors and not by emotional stressors, such as risk and anxiety. Because of the emotional overtones of the word stress, it is suggested that the term workload should be used when referring to the reason for increased cardiovascular activity in pilots.