Carga de trabalho de instrutores da AFA durante uma instrução de formatura na aeronave T-27

The high cognitive demand inherent in flying is identified as a fundamental factor contributing substantially to pilots’ workload (WL). This WL, in turn, impacts fatigue, performance, and flight safety. The proposed study aims to evaluate the WL of military flight instructors. Delving into the conceptualization and measurement of WL, the study acknowledges its subjective nature, influenced by various dimensions. The research was conducted with 22 flight instructors from the Air Force Academy (AFA), focusing on formation flights. Methodological procedures included the use of the NASA-TLX questionnaire to measure instructors’ perception of WL. The results indicate significantly elevated levels of WL, with particular attention to dimensions such as Performance, Mental Demand, and Effort. This pronounced WL is associated with the constant need to monitor crucial details during training flights, especially when supervising pilots in formation to ensure the quality of instruction and flight safety. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of analyzing the WL of flight instructors to understand the levels of stress involved and the most influential dimensions in this context. Understanding the intensity of WL and the areas that contribute most to its formation is relevant for adopting mitigating measures and managing the mental condition of flight instructors.