Spatial disorientation
The vestibular and visual illusions that fool a pilot without an outside horizon, and how to get out.
15 min read · Human factors
After this lesson you can
- Explain why the vestibular system becomes unreliable once outside visual references are lost.
- Recognize the leans, the graveyard spiral, and the somatogravic illusion, and name the correct recovery for each.
- List at least four illusions that cause pilots to fly an approach lower than intended.
- Apply the recommended sequence for coping with spatial disorientation before it becomes unrecoverable.
Spatial disorientation is the loss of correct orientation with regard to the airplane's position, attitude, or movement in space. Three systems normally work together to keep you oriented: the vestibular system in the inner ear, the somatosensory system (skin, muscles, joints), and vision. In visual conditions, the eyes dominate and usually override any false sensation from the other two. Take the horizon away, and that balance flips.
Without visual references, ordinary flight maneuvers can produce convincing, false sensations that are extremely difficult to override by willpower alone. Prevention, training, and an absolute discipline of trusting the instruments over the body are the only reliable defenses.
The rest of this lesson
- 1.Why the inner ear lies
- 2.The vestibular illusions
- 3.Check your understanding
- 4.Visual illusions
- 5.Illusions on approach and landing
- 6.Avoiding landing errors
- 7.Coping with spatial disorientation
These 7 sections, their figures, the checks along the way and the end-of-lesson quiz come with the PPL track. Paid once, yours for good.
Key terms
Try to recall each definition before turning the card.