FAA Sport Pilot Airplane (SPA)Human Factors and ADMMedium
A pilot enters a shallow, coordinated turn at night over featureless terrain and loses outside visual reference. Believing the wings are level, the pilot notices the altimeter unwinding and instinctively pulls back on the yoke. This action is most likely to result in which outcome?
- AAn unintentional climb into clouds
- BA tightening spiral toward the ground
- CA return to straight-and-level flight
- DA stall recovery at a safe altitude
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. A tightening spiral toward the ground
This describes a graveyard spiral: the pilot, unaware of the bank, pulls back to arrest the perceived descent, which only tightens the turn and increases the descent rate, potentially leading to loss of control. Recovery requires trusting the attitude indicator to level the wings before adjusting pitch.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The aircraft is descending, not climbing, in this scenario.
- C. Without leveling the wings first, pulling back does not restore level flight.
- D. Pulling back in an unrecognized bank increases load and descent rate rather than causing a stall recovery.
Graveyard Spiral
A spatial disorientation illusion where a pilot in a prolonged, unperceived turn pulls back on the controls, tightening the descending spiral.
- Vestibular system stops sensing rotation after ~20 seconds, feels level
- Pulling back on the yoke steepens bank and increases descent
- Correct recovery: level wings on the attitude indicator first, then adjust pitch
Memory trick: Feels level, spirals to the grave — check the gauges, save the day.