Title:
ASCEND 2026 - Teaching in the Sweet Spot - Managing Mental Workload to Grow Better Pilots Faster
Topic:
Understanding and Managing Mental Workload to Improve Pilot Training
Speaker(s):
Piotr Diugiewicz
Brief Description:
Mental workload management is foundational to aviation human factors, yet it is barely understood and often ignored. This session translates decades of human-factors research into instructional judgment a CFI can use on the next flight. Attendees will learn why mental workload varies between and within learners, the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that drive workload, how to recognize the symptoms of cognitive overload before performance fails, and apply workload-management strategies. A case study illustrates these concepts, and instructors receive a short field reference to carry into the next lesson. A Q&A period is included.
Select Number:
EA13146348
Location of Seminar:
Crowne Plaza Dallas Market Center
7050 N Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, TX 75247
Directions to Venue:
Follow the signs to the ASCEND Flight Training Summit meeting rooms
View Map
Seating:
200
seats at the facility,
200
for online registration.
This event is not yet accepted for public viewing.
Sponsoring Division:
FAASTeam
Additional Event Information & Acknowledgement of Industry Sponsor(s):
Dr. Piotr Dlugiewicz is an FAA and EASA certified pilot, flight instructor, and pilot examiner who has flown and taught on five continents. He holds a master’s degree in psychology with a specialization in human cognition and a Ph.D. in engineering in applied computational intelligence. A specialist in Cirrus aircraft—especially the SF50 Vision Jet—Dr. Dlugiewicz blends operational experience with academic training. His work focuses on practical ways to strengthen aviation training and safety, applying insights from cognitive science and data-informed methods.
This presentation is offered during the 2026 ASCEND Flight Training Summit.
No fee for the presentations, but there is an admission charge for ASCEND. Visit Ascend Flight Training Summit - Pilot Education & Careers for information and conference registration information.
FAA WINGS preregistration is not required for activities offered during ASCEND.
ASCEND Flight Training Summit is co-hosted by the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) and AeroSummit.
Equal Access Information:
The FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) is committed to providing equal access to this meeting/event for all participants. If you need alternative formats or services because of a disability, please communicate your request as soon as possible with the person in the “Contact Information” area of the meeting/event notice. Note that two weeks is usually required to arrange services.
Credit Applicability:
1 Credit for Master Knowledge Topic 2
FAASTeam Project Information:
National Project:
Any other Operations task not covered in the NPP
Additional Event Documents: