ICE FLAGS Flashcards
ICE FLAGS
Illusions
I- Inversion
C- Coriolis
E- Elevator
F- False horizons
L- Leans
A- Autokenesis
G- Graveyard spiral
S- Somatogravic
Inversion
The inversion illusion happens when a pilot quickly transitions from a climb to straight-and-level. In other words, they pitch the nose down quickly, making them feel like they’re tumbling backward.
Because the pilot feels that they are tumbling backward, they may pitch the nose down even further, intensifying the illusion and leading to a dangerous low-nose attitude.
Caused by fluid in the vestibular system that continues to move. Causing the brain to think you’re still climbing. Prevent this by keeping movements smooth and gradual.
Coriolis Illusion
When in a steady turn for awhile and suddenly you move your head and feel disoriented and that your moving in all sorts of directions.
Caused by the semicircular canals. The fluid settles during the extended turn and becomes disturbed by the sudden head movement. Prevent by keeping head movements slow and smooth.
Elevator Illusion
Caused by a sudden updraft that can make you feel that the aircraft is climbing. Trust and cross check your instruments.
False Horizons
Flying in poor visibility with no distinct horizon. Your brain spots something like a cloud bank or lights and decides that the horizon… (falses horizon).
Can lead to incorrect control inputs. Prevented by checking your instruments .
Leans
Caused by correcting a slow gentle bank that your inner ear doesnt detect it. Your senses think your straight and level so when you level you it feels your banking the opposite direction and then proceed to turn the opposite direction.
Trust your instruments and avoid slow gradual turns (creeping).
Autokinesis
The light isn’t moving at all, but your brain insists it is. This perception of movement where there is none is the autokinesis illusion (At night).
To prevent don’t stare at a single point of light for too long. Keep your eyes moving and scan different areas of the sky.
Graveyard Spiral
You’ve entered a gentle turn that has gone unnoticed. Because your inner ear adjusts to the turn, it stops sending turn signals to your brain.
When you finally notice and correct the turn, it feels like you’ve started turning in the opposite direction. In reaction to this false perception, you re-enter the original turn.
Here’s where things get dangerous.
As you continue this unnoticed turn, your aircraft starts to lose altitude (because the nose will drop during a turn).
If you pull back on the yoke without leveling the wings, you’ll tighten the turn and descend even faster.
This deadly descent is what we call a graveyard spiral. Out of all eight illusions, the graveyard spiral poses the greatest danger to pilots.
Cross check instruments to prevent
Somatogravic
The rapid acceleration (during night or imc) pushes you back in your seat, giving a sensation similar to pitching up.
Your brain, ever so deceptive, interprets this feeling as a climb.
You might inadvertently push the nose down to counter this, causing a dangerous descent.
Trust intruments and avoid rapid increase or decrease in speed.
