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Instrument Flying Handbook Menu>Human
Factors>Physiological
and Psychological Factors>Stress
Stress is the body’s
response to demands placed upon it. These demands can be either
pleasant or unpleasant in nature. The causes of stress for a
pilot can range from unexpected weather or mechanical problems
while in flight, to personal issues totally unrelated to flying.
Stress is an inevitable and necessary part of life; it adds
motivation to life and heightens a pilot’s response to
meet any challenge. The effects of stress are cumulative, and
there is a limit to a pilot’s adaptive nature. This limit,
the stress tolerance level, is based on a pilot’s ability
to cope with the situation.
At first, some amount of stress can be desirable
and can actually improve performance. Higher stress levels,
particularly over long periods of time, can adversely affect
performance. Performance will generally increase with the onset
of stress, but will peak and then begin to fall off rapidly
as stress levels exceed the ability to cope. [Figure 1-6A]
Figure 1-6. Stress and performance.
At the lower stress levels, boredom is followed
by optimal performance at the moderate stress levels, then followed
ultimately by overload and panic at the highest stress levels.
At this point, a pilot’s performance begins to decline
and judgment deteriorates. Complex or unfamiliar tasks require
higher levels of performance than simple or overlearned tasks.
Complex or unfamiliar tasks are also more subject to the adverse
effects of increasing stress than simple or familiar tasks.
[Figure 1-6B]
Figure 1-6. Stress and performance.
The indicators of excessive stress often show
as three types of symptoms: (1) emotional, (2) physical, and
(3) behavioral. These symptoms depend upon whether aggression
is focused inward or outward. Individuals who typically turn
their aggressive feelings inward often demonstrate the emotional
symptoms of depression, preoccupation, sadness, and withdrawal.
Individuals who typically take out their frustration on other
people or objects exhibit few physical symptoms. Emotional symptoms
may surface as overcompensation, denial, suspicion, paranoia,
agitation, restlessness, defensiveness, excess sensitivity to
criticism, argumentativeness, arrogance, and hostility. Pilots
need to learn to recognize the symptoms of stress as they begin
to occur within themselves.
There are many techniques available that can
help reduce stress in life or help people cope with it better.
Not all of the following ideas may be the solution, but some
of them should be effective.
1. Become knowledgeable about stress.
2. Take a realistic self-assessment.
3. Take a systematic approach to problem solving.
4. Develop a lifestyle that will buffer against the effects
of stress.
5. Practice behavior management techniques.
6. Establish and maintain a strong support network.
Good cockpit stress management begins with
good life stress management. Many of the stress-coping techniques
practiced for life stress management are not usually practical
in flight. Rather, pilots must condition themselves to relax
and think rationally when stress appears. The following checklist
outlines some methods of cockpit stress management.
1. Avoid situations that distract from flying
the aircraft.
2. Reduce workload to reduce stress levels. This will create
a proper environment in which to make good decisions.
3. If an emergency does occur, be calm. Think for a moment,
weigh the alternatives, then act.
4. Become thoroughly familiar with the aircraft, its operation,
and emergency procedures. Also, maintain flight proficiency
to build confidence.
5. Know and respect personal limits.
6. Do not allow small mistakes to be distractions during flight;
rather, review and analyze them after landing.
7. If flying adds stress, either stop flying or seek professional
help to manage stress within acceptable limits.
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