09 Perceptual Errors

Question 1

What effect does low visibility have on landing Illusions?

Answer 1

• Poor visibility makes a runway look further away
• Makes pilot think they are too low so pitch up
• Lead to a steep gradient and possible overshoot

Question 2

What effect does runway width have on landing illusions?

Answer 2

• A thinner than normal runway will make the pilot believe they are too high
• Cause them to pitch down
• Lead to shallower gradient and possible undershoot
• Opposite will occur for a wider runway

Question 3

What effect does runway slope have on landing illusions?

Answer 3

• A downward sloping runway will make pilot think they are too low
• Cause them to pitch up
• Leading to steeper gradient and possible overshoot
• Opposite for a upward sloping runway

Question 4

What effect does the Black Hole Effect have in relation to landing illusions?

Answer 4

• When over water or dessert at night, high contrast between lights and black scenery can cause the lights of the runway to ‘bloom’
• Pilot thinks they are too high so pitches down
• Cause a shallow gradient and possible undershoot

Question 5

What is the best prevention of illusions?

Answer 5

• Training

- Pre-flight briefings

Question 6

What is the correct scanning technique?

Answer 6

• Section the visual field into overlapping section of 10 degrees
• Check each section for 2-3secs before moving to the next

Question 7

What two effects on visual perception does rain water on the windscreen have during the day?

Answer 7

Magnification of Image:

• RW appears too close so too high
• Pitch down so shallow glide
• Possible undershoot

Reduced Visibility:

• RW appears further away so too slow
• Increases speed
• Possible overshoot and hard landing

Question 7

What effect on visual perception does rain water on the windscreen have during the night?

Answer 7

• Blooming of lights
• RW appears too close so too fast
• Slow down so possible undershoot or stall