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Close Topic OptionsReport: Pilots' Strange Illusions May Cause Death
Report Pilots' Strange Illusions Death - Psychology, Special Needs, Health - Posted: 4th Dec, 2007 - 5:12pm
Posts: 2 - Views: 597
Every pilot will lose all sense of direction, height and speed while flying at some point, and some will even feel as though they are sitting on the wing watching themselves in the cockpit, according to a report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB)
Report: Pilots' Strange Illusions May Cause Death
Interesting study. I wonder how can these illusions be treated?
| QUOTE |
| The report said between 90 to 100 percent of aircraft pilots experienced 'spatial disorientation" (SD) - one of the most common factors in plane crashes. Aviation medicine specialist Dr. David Newman said pilots were commonly the victims of strange illusions that could be dangerous, and have been linked to between 15 and 26 percent of fatal crashes worldwide. Some of the most common illusions experienced by pilots included feeling as though the plane was falling when it was slowing down, a false sensation of the aircraft "rolling" and a sense that the plane was not turning when it actually was. Newman said that there were much stranger illusions experienced by pilots. "In some cases, pilots may feel that they are sitting out on the wing of their aircraft, watching themselves flying the aircraft," Newman said in the report. "The knife edge illusion gives the pilot a sensation that the aircraft is precariously positioned in space, and extremely sensitive to control inputs. By contrast, the giant hand illusion gives the pilot the opposite sensation, that the aircraft is intolerable of control inputs and seemingly immovable in the air, as if held aloft by a giant hand." |
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TOPIC: Report: Pilots' Strange Illusions May Cause Death