What is the best way to help a task-saturated or distracted pilot prioritize skills?

The most effective way to assist a task-saturated or distracted pilot in prioritizing skills is to remind them of the adage: "aviate, navigate, communicate." This phrase emphasizes the fundamental priorities in flying: maintaining control of the aircraft (aviate), ensuring proper navigation (navigate), and communicating effectively with air traffic control and others (communicate). By focusing on these three core areas, pilots can clarify their immediate responsibilities and reduce their cognitive load, allowing them to systematically address issues that may arise during flight.

This approach serves as a mental checklist that simplifies decision-making in high-stress situations, helping pilots to regain focus. Furthermore, it reinforces the importance of maintaining control of the aircraft above all else, which is critical in high-pressure scenarios where distractions are prevalent.

While using a checklist-based approach can also be valuable in managing tasks, the adage provides a more direct focus on the immediate priorities in flight. Taking a break may be helpful in some contexts, but it doesn't directly address the immediate skill prioritization. Teaching advanced maneuvers could lead to further complexity and increased task saturation, which is counterproductive in a situation where the pilot is already overwhelmed.