Plain English Meaning

Staying on top of everything you need to do in the cockpit by deciding what matters most, doing those things first, and not letting yourself get buried in tasks.

Full Definition

The pilot's deliberate planning, prioritizing, and sequencing of cockpit tasks so that essential flying duties are accomplished without overload, distraction, or loss of situational awareness.

Context Anchor

Seen in safety, decision-making, and cockpit task discussions, especially during busy phases such as takeoff, landing, traffic pattern work, and abnormal situations.

Derivation

“Workload” combines “work,” meaning effort or tasks, with “load,” meaning a burden being carried. “Management” comes from older words connected with handling or directing something. Together, the phrase points to handling the burden of cockpit tasks instead of simply reacting to them.