How design affects pilot workload.

By Barnaby Wainfan

To safely execute a flight, it is vital that the pilot be able to maintain control of the airplane all of the time. For the flight to be enjoyable, maintaining control should be easy.

Each phase of a flight places different demands on the pilot and requires a different level of pilot action and attention. The task load imposed on the pilot varies dramatically in different parts of a flight, and it is also significantly affected by circumstances such as weather or distractions in the cabin. Ideally, we want the pilot to be able to concentrate primarily on tasks other than maintaining control of the airplane. When we consider what constitutes good or even acceptable flying qualities, the level of pilot effort required to maintain control and execute the required task is the primary consideration. …

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