diff --git a/tools/btoperator.py b/tools/btoperator.py
index b4933ab..8329dec 100644
--- a/tools/btoperator.py
+++ b/tools/btoperator.py
@@ -807,6 +807,14 @@ class Operator(QMainWindow):
             # profile and the legacy arrow-drive bridge takes the keyboard
             # (user-reported: "launched with the wrong keymap again").
             env.insert("BT_PLATFORM", "glass")
+            # OPERATOR LOAD SPEED (2026-07-22, live finding): the game pins
+            # itself to CPU core 0 by default, which on the operator box is
+            # shared with the console/relay/desktop -- and the mission load
+            # drains frame-paced, so a starved frame rate multiplies load
+            # time (testers ~20s, operator 3-5 min).  Spread the local
+            # instance across the UPPER cores instead.
+            if "BT_AFFINITY" not in os.environ:
+                env.insert("BT_AFFINITY", "0xF0")
             if self.f_gauges.isChecked():
                 env.insert("BT_DEV_GAUGES", "1")
             if self.f_inside.isChecked():