Chapter 6.4 - Spatial Disorientation and Sensory Illusions

Question 1

Name two balance mechanisms in the inner ear?

Answer 1

• Semi-circular Canals.

- Otoliths.

Question 2

What type of acceleration does the Semi-circular Canals sense?

Answer 2

Angular.

Question 3

What type of acceleration does the Otoliths sense?

Answer 3

Linear.

Question 4

Define Spatial Orientation?

Answer 4

The natural ability to determine our true body position, motion and attitude.

Question 5

Name three systems where we sense our attitude on the ground?

Answer 5

• Visual System.
• Proprioceptive System.
• Vestibular System.

Question 6

Define Spatial Disorientation?

Answer 6

When a Pilot fails to sense the Aircraft’s motion, position or attitude relative to the horizon.

Question 7

Name three types of Spatial Disorientation?

Answer 7

• Unrecognised.
• Recognised.
• Incapacitating.

Question 8

Define Unrecognised Spatial Disorientation?

Answer 8

When a Pilot fails to perceive a change from the desired Spatial Orientation.

Question 9

Define Recognised Spatial Disorientation?

Answer 9

When a Pilot realises there is a conflict between Flight Instruments and their body senses.

Question 10

Define Incapacitating Spatial Disorientation?

Answer 10

When the physical symptoms are severe enough to incapacitate the Pilot.

Question 11

What type of acceleration is sensed by Somatogyral Illusions?

Answer 11

Angular.

Question 12

Name the four Somatogyral Illusions?

Answer 12

• Opposite-turning Illusion.
• The Leans.
• The Graveyard Spin/Spiral.
• Coriolis Illusion.

Question 13

What type of acceleration is sensed by Somatogravic Illusions?

Answer 13

Linear.

Question 14

Name three Samatogravic Illusions?

Answer 14

• Pitch-up Illusion.
• Pitch-down Illusion.
• Inverted Illusion.

Question 15

Upsloping Runway: The Pilot may have an illusion of being too (High/Low) and may results in the approach path being (Steeper/Shallower) than it should be resulting in an (overshoot/undershoot)?

Answer 15

• High.
• Shallower.
• Undershoot.

Question 16

Upsloping Terrain: The Pilot may have an illusion of being too (High/Low) and may results in the approach path being (Steeper/Shallower) than it should be resulting in an (overshoot/undershoot)?

Answer 16

• High.
• Shallower.
• Undershoot.

Question 17

Narrow/Longer Runway: The Pilot may have an illusion of being too (High/Low) and may results in the approach path being (Steeper/Shallower) than it should be resulting in an (overshoot/undershoot)?

Answer 17

• High.
• Shallower.
• Undershoot.

Question 18

If the illusion on a Narrow/Longer Runway isn’t corrected, there is a tendency for what before Landing?

Answer 18

Flare the Aircraft too late.

Question 19

Night ‘Black Hole’ Approach: The Pilot may have an illusion of being too (High/Low) and may results in the approach path being (Above/Below) than it should be resulting in an (overshoot/undershoot)?

Answer 19

• High.
• Shallower.
• Undershoot.

Question 20

Day ‘Featureless Terrain Approach: The Pilot may have an illusion of being too (High/Low) and may results in the approach path being (Above/Below) than it should be resulting in an (overshoot/undershoot)?

Answer 20

• High.
• Below.
• Undershoot.

Question 21

True or False. Rain-affected Approach can cause an illusion of being too high?

Answer 21

True.

Question 22

True or False. Dark and/or Reduced Visibility Approach can cause an illusion of being too high?

Answer 22

True.

Question 23

Downsloping Runway: The Pilot may have an illusion of being too (High/Low) and may results in the approach path being (Steeper/Shallower) than it should be resulting in an (overshoot/undershoot)?

Answer 23

• Low.
• Steeper.
• Overshoot.

Question 24

Downsloping Terrain: The Pilot may have an illusion of being too (High/Low) and may results in the approach path being (Steeper/Shallower) than it should be resulting in an (overshoot/undershoot)?

Answer 24

• Low.
• Steeper.
• Overshoot.

Question 25

Wider/Shorter Runway: The Pilot may have an illusion of being too (High/Low) and may results in the approach path being (Steeper/Shallower) than it should be resulting in an (overshoot/undershoot)?

Answer 25

• Low.
• Steeper.
• Overshoot.

Question 26

If the illusion on a Wider/Shorter Runway isn’t corrected, there is a tendency for what before Landing?

Answer 26

Flare the Aircraft too early.

Question 27

At night, if the Runway/Approach light are on high intensity, Pilots may perceive the threshold to be (Further/Closer) than it really is?

Answer 27

Closer.

Question 28

True or False. Rain at night can amplify the illusion of that a Pilot may perceive the threshold to be closer than it really is?

Answer 28

True.

Question 29

Extremely bright conditions and clear air may perceive a Pilot in thinking the threshold is (Further/Closer) than it really is?

Answer 29

Closer.

Question 30

At night, if the Runway/Approach light are on low intensity, Pilots may perceive the threshold to be (Further/Closer) than it really is?

Answer 30

Further.

Question 31

True or False. Rain during the day can amplify the illusion of that a Pilot may perceive the threshold to be further than it really is?

Answer 31

True.

Question 32

A wet Runway reflects very little light which can affect distance perception and cause the Pilot to incorrectly assess that the Aircraft is (Further/Closer) to the Runway that it actually is?

Answer 32

Further.

Question 33

True or False. Flying in Haze creates the impression that the Aircraft is further away from the Runway than it actually is?

Answer 33

True.

Question 34

In the absence of other visual clues, if a Pilot fixes his or her stare for some time on a pinpoint of light in a dark sky, the illusion is that either he/she or the light is moving. This illusion is called (flicker vertigo/autokinesis)?

Answer 34

Autokinesis.