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Instrument Flying Handbook Menu>Human
Factors >Coping with Spatial Disorientation
Pilots
can take action to prevent illusions and their potentially disastrous
consequences if they:
1. Understand the causes of these illusions
and remain constantly alert for them.
2. Always obtain preflight weather briefings.
3. Do not continue flight into adverse weather conditions or
into dusk or darkness unless proficient in the use of flight
instruments.
4. Ensure that when outside visual references are used, they
are reliable, fixed points on the Earth’s surface.
5. Avoid sudden head movement, particularly during takeoffs,
turns, and approaches to landing.
6. Remember that illness, medication, alcohol, fatigue, sleep
loss, and mild hypoxia is likely to increase susceptibility
to spatial disorientation.
7. Most importantly, become proficient in the use of flight
instruments and rely upon them.
The sensations, which lead to illusions during
instrument flight conditions, are normal perceptions experienced
by pilots. These undesirable sensations cannot be completely
prevented, but through training and awareness, pilots can ignore
or suppress them by developing absolute reliance on the flight
instruments. As pilots gain proficiency in instrument flying,
they become less susceptible to these illusions and their effects.
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