Occupational stress and the professional pilot: the role of the Pilot Advisory Group (PAG).

This paper discusses the role of pilot peer group involvement, using the Pilot Advisory Group (PAG), in assisting pilots who manifest personal problems which derive from occupational and other stressors. Some general aspects of "background" occupational stress are discussed. Attitudes and opinions of professional aviators are identified and their role in denial of symptomatology is developed. The concept of the Pilot Advisory Group (PAG) is then discussed in detail before its role in relation to occupational stress is introduced. While some of the better known problems associated with occupational stress in pilots are mentioned, the emphasis in the paper is on developing new perspectives regarding the identification of stress-induced dysfunction, and also in exploring the suitability of PAG involvement. The formal obligations of management and regulatory authorities are contrasted with what the author sees as the countervailing imperatives of pilot attitudes and beliefs.