FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Human Factors and CRMHard
A pilot experiences a sudden, intense sensation of pitching up while actually flying straight and level in smooth air, immediately after leveling off from a prolonged climb. This illusion is most likely:
- AThe graveyard spiral
- BThe Coriolis illusion
- CThe elevator illusion
- DThe somatogravic illusion
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. The somatogravic illusion
The somatogravic illusion occurs when linear acceleration (such as during a prolonged climb or acceleration) is misinterpreted by the vestibular system as a pitch-up sensation, even in straight-and-level flight. This is distinct from illusions caused by head movement or turning flight.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The graveyard spiral involves a prolonged turn misperceived as level flight, leading to a spiral dive, not a pitch sensation after leveling off.
- B. The Coriolis illusion results from tilting the head during a prolonged turn, not from linear acceleration during a climb.
- C. The 'elevator illusion' is not a standard recognized vestibular illusion in FAA training materials.
Somatogravic Illusion
A spatial disorientation illusion in which linear acceleration or deceleration is misinterpreted by the inner ear as a pitch attitude change.
- Occurs during rapid acceleration (e.g., takeoff, go-around) causing false pitch-up sensation
- Occurs during rapid deceleration causing false pitch-down sensation
- Can lead pilots to push the nose down dangerously during acceleration
- Trust flight instruments rather than bodily sensations to avoid this illusion
Memory trick: Somato-GRAVITY: acceleration feels like gravity pulling you back = feels like pitch up