Analysis of the Mental Workload of Police Helicopter Pilots on Police Operations Assignment in Papua: NASA-TLX Method Approach

Police helicopter pilots play a critical role in the success of various operational assignments. These officers, under the Directorate of Air Police Corps (Baharkam Polri), are trained aviators responsible for flying helicopters and other aircraft under specific operational requirements. The Directorate of Air Police is tasked with a range of duties including early detection, air escort, air ambulance, pursuit, leadership transportation support, and other mission-critical operations. This study aims to analyze the mental workload of police helicopter pilots deployed in Papua, where they face significant challenges such as extreme weather conditions, difficult terrain, and the constant threat of attacks from Armed Criminal Groups (KKB). A quantitative method was employed using the NASA-TLX, which evaluates six dimensions: Physical Demand, Temporal Demand, Mental Demand, Effort, Performance, and Frustration. Eight Bell 412 participated in the study by completing the NASA-TLX questionnaire. Results showed an average workload score (80–100), indicating a very high mental burden. These findings suggest the need for leadership within the Indonesian National Police to prioritize mental health by implementing regular rotation schedules to mitigate stress and fatigue among aviation personnel.