Pre-flight preparation job crafting opportunities : a sense making study

Abstract

This study aims to examine the influence of pre-flight duty activities and job crafting opportunities on pilot flight performance. The research delves into the potential impact of factors beyond the scope of flying an aircraft and the flight briefings, exploring how these elements may interplay with individual attributes and workplace conditions. The research's intention is to identify and evaluate how pre-flight factors, such as fatigue stemming from flight duration, job crafting feasibility, circadian rhythms, prior flights, and external factors, influence pilots' decision-making processes during flight. Furthermore, the investigation seeks to ascertain whether external stressors and demanding off-duty commitments can trigger prolonged fatigue, impacting pilots' performance across duty periods. To achieve these objectives, a qualitative investigation was undertaken, employing focus groups as the research platform. This allowed pilots from diverse airlines to share their perceptions and lived experiences concerning pre-flight activities, job crafting, and their perceived effects on flight performance. Thematic analysis was then deployed to sift through the data, unveiling discernible trends and recurrent themes that emerged from the pilots' narratives. Through open-ended inquiries during the focus group sessions, fruitful discussions were nurtured. The study's central inquiry pertains to the significant influence of pre-flight duty activities and job crafting on pilot flight performance. To comprehend this relationship comprehensively, an exploration of pertinent variables is imperative. The study findings have practical and theoretical implications, providing significant insights into the issues faced by airline pilots and prospective pathways for overcoming these challenges. The author recommends that airline operators, need to consider the fact that the legal flight time is the maximum, and shouldn’t be the norm, as over exertion, might cause fatigue and stress to pilots, additionally the implementation of human factors training, covering sleep, nutrition physical fitness and mental health should be highly integrated into Pilot training.