GAFB 104

Attention Under Pressure

Distraction and Task Focus: The Unseen Threats

Aviation is often described as a discipline of managing limited resources – time, performance, fuel, weather, altitude – but perhaps the most limited and important resource is attention. No matter how experienced, every pilot, skydiver, or controller has only so much cognitive bandwidth to work with at any one time. When that bandwidth becomes overloaded, even small slips can lead to serious consequences.

As workload increases, attention naturally starts to narrow, enabling maximum concentration on a problem or threat. This task focus is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it allows us to complete complex aviation procedures accurately. An air traffic controller managing busy airspace or a light aircraft pilot handling an engine failure after take-off must be disciplined, prioritise effectively, and focus without extraneous distraction. This is especially pertinent in general aviation, where we’re often airborne without the backup of a crew to monitor and support us.

On the other hand, when left unchecked, task focus can blind us to critical elements of the flight. Aviation is a cognitively demanding activity, with the ever-present need to navigate both the skies and our own limitations. It’s easy to become engrossed in one element of the flight, especially when things get hectic. The danger is that attention can become so narrowly focused that we lose sight of the bigger picture, potentially missing vital signals, including warnings that are seemingly highly alerting. There are repeated stories of pilots continuing to land despite loud gear warnings all the way down the approach.

In this edition of GA FEEDBACK, several reports illustrate how easy it is to focus on one item during high workload moments, leading to missed cues, misjudged priorities, or delayed decisions. Whether it’s a forgotten aircraft configuration during circuits, a misread situation when trying to take off, or hesitation under a parachute canopy, the common thread is distraction and task fixation. It’s natural to become immersed in the task at hand, especially when pressure mounts; but that very focus can block external cues, reduce situational awareness, or reinforce assumptions that turn out to be wrong.

So, how do we develop better attention management, to monitor multiple sources of information simultaneously without becoming fixated on just one? The goal isn’t to eliminate task focus (it’s necessary and often beneficial), but to balance it. Build habits that support a continual cycle of scanning, reassessing, and asking: “What am I missing?”

One of the best ways to reduce the risk of overload is through preparation and planning. Taking time before the flight or jump to mentally rehearse ‘actions on,’ consider potential snags, identify decision points and think through ‘what ifs’ helps lighten the mental load when things start happening quickly. Having a clear plan creates space to make good choices under pressure. This is the essence of Threat and Error Management (TEM) and if you’d like to know more, check out the excellent resources at Skybrary – TEM.

The skydiver featured in this GA FEEDBACK experienced a line twist shortly after canopy deployment. Focused on clearing the twist, they didn’t recognise that the canopy wasn’t fully functional. Despite altitude cues and growing urgency, they repeatedly missed opportunities to cut away the main canopy. By the time the true nature of the problem was recognised, it was too late to act. The partially functional canopy collapsed during flare, but remarkably the reporter walked away with only relatively minor injuries.

This report is powerful, not only because of how close it came to a serious accident, but because it reflects the mental dynamics that resonate across all aviation: fixation on the visible problem, reluctance to make a decisive call, and steadily narrowing options as altitude (or time) runs out. With hindsight, the reporter acknowledged what they should have done, but in the moment, task focus and distraction combined to cloud judgment.

All the reports in this issue are commendable for their honest reflection and a willingness to share hard-earned lessons (via the big orange SUBMIT REPORT button on the CHIRP website or app). Whether it’s forgetting the basics in the circuit, a near miss on a crowded taxiway, a busy controller, or a difficult parachute malfunction, each one offers insight into how focusing too much on one thing can lead us to lose sight of everything else. In aviation – whether in an aircraft or under a canopy – that can be a dangerous place to be! If you’ve ever had a moment where things didn’t go to plan and you learned from it, please consider submitting a report to CHIRP. These reports are what make aviation safer for everyone.

Grab a coffee, relax and take some time out to enjoy this edition of FEEDBACK.

Nicky Smith, Director Aviation