ICEFLAGS Illusions Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the inversion illusion?

The experience of following a stationary light that appears to move

An abrupt change from climb to straight and level flight causing a sensation of tumbling backwards (correct)

The illusion of turning in the opposite direction after a prolonged turn

The sensation of climbing due to changes in vertical acceleration

What illusion occurs when a pilot turns his head after being in a turn for a long period?

Coriolis illusion

What can cause the elevator illusion?

Abrupt vertical acceleration

What creates a false horizon for pilots?

Sloping clouds or dark ground lights Signup and view all the answers

What is the illusion of turning in the opposite direction after returning to level flight called?

Leans Signup and view all the answers

What does autokinesis cause a pilot to do?

Follow a stationary light that appears to move Signup and view all the answers

What is the graveyard spiral?

A prolonged turn that leads to a sensation of not turning followed by a hazardous loss of altitude Signup and view all the answers

What does the somatogravic illusion cause a pilot to perceive?

A nose up attitude due to rapid acceleration Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Inversion Illusion

Abrupt transition from climbing to straight and level flight can create the sensation of tumbling backwards.
Pilots often respond by lowering the nose to regain a stable attitude.

Coriolis Illusion

Occurs after prolonged turning, causing the body to adapt to the motion.
Turning the head during the turn can mislead the pilot into believing the aircraft is moving in another direction.

Elevator Illusion

Rapid vertical acceleration, such as encountering an updraft or downdraft, can induce the perception of climbing or descending.
Pilots may correct this illusion by adjusting the aircraft's nose position up or down.

False Horizon

Environmental factors like sloping clouds or uneven ground lights can obscure the true horizon.
This can mislead pilots, potentially leading to dangerous flight attitudes.

Leans

Returning to level flight after an extended turn can create an illusion of turning in the opposite direction.
This misperception can result in erroneous control inputs.

Autokinesis

Fixating on a stationary light for too long may cause it to appear as if it is moving.
This can result in disorientation and loss of heading as pilots may inadvertently follow the "moving" light.

Graveyard Spiral

During a prolonged turn, pilots may feel as if they are in level flight when they are not.
When returning to level, the sensation of turning in the opposite direction can cause pilots to re-enter the original turn, leading to altitude loss and tighter turns due to excessive yoke pull.

Somatogravic Illusion

Rapid acceleration can mimic the feeling of tilting the head back, creating the illusion of a nose-up attitude.
Pilots may instinctively push the nose down to correct this perceived ascent; this illusion also occurs during deceleration.

Description

Explore the fascinating world of aviation illusions with these flashcards. Learn about key concepts such as inversion illusion and Coriolis illusion, which can affect pilot perception during flight. Perfect for aspiring pilots and aviation enthusiasts.