Visual illusions Flashcards
Types of runway illusions
- Narrower than Usual
- Wider than Usual
- Down Sloping
- Up Sloping
Narrower than usual
- Illusion of higher than actual leading to a lower approach
Wider than usual
- Results in an illusion of being low, so a higher approach
Down sloping Runway
Same as wider than usual
Upsloping runway
Same as narrower than usual
Haze illusion
- Objects appear further than they actually are
Empty field Myopia
- Looking without seeing
- Occurs when flying above clouds or haze
- Eyes become relaxed
– comfortable focal distance
Solution:
Focusing on distant light
sources -no matter how dim
Autokinesis
When a single stationary light seems to move on its own
Caused by staring at a single point of light against a dark background
Solution
Avoid fixating on one source of light
Continuous Visual Scanning
False horizon
When the natural horizon is obscured or not easy to identify
Black Hole Approach
Occurs when only the runway lights are
visible during an approach
Also called as Featureless Terrain approach
Preventing optical illusion
- Anticipate the possibility of visual illusions during approaches to unfamiliar airports, particularly at night or in adverse weather conditions
- Consult airport diagrams and the AIP for information on runway slope, terrain, and lighting
- Make frequent reference to the altimeter, especially during all approaches, day and night.
- Use Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) or Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) systems for a visual reference,
- Maintain optimum proficiency in landing procedures.
Coping with spatial disorientation
- Understand the causes of these illusions and remain constantly alert for them.
- Always obtain and understand preflight weather briefings.
- Obtain training and maintain proficiency in airplane control by reference to instruments.
- Do not continue flight into adverse weather conditions or into dusk or darkness unless proficient in the use of flight instruments.
- Ensure that when outside visual references are used, they are reliable,
fixed points on the Earth’s surface. - Avoid sudden head movement,
- Be physically tuned for flight
“Having Faith in the instruments rather than taking a chance on the sensory organs”
Left Brain characteristics
Responds well to verbal instruction
Likes to learn in step- by-step format
Prefers writing
Is planned and structured
Does well on multiple choice tests
Analytic
Recalls people’s names
Right brain characteristics
Responds well to demonstrated instructions
Likes to learn general concept and then specifics
Prefers open- ended questions
Responds to tone of voice
Impulsive
Recalls people’s faces
Holistic or global
