Presentation
Visual Illusions in Aviation: Simulating the False Horizon Phenomenon
SessionPoster Session 1
DescriptionSpatial disorientation caused by visual illusions is a well-known hazard during visually guided flight. Trainees have limited opportunities to encounter these illusions during flight training. Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of a low-cost simulator to render common aviation-relevant visual illusions. To do so, we generated a false horizon illusion by manipulating the heading angle toward a shoreline in a simulator. Fog was used to obscure the true horizon. Trainee pilots (N = 19) performed a straight-and-level flight in False Horizon (fog) and True Horizon (no fog) conditions. All pilots completed a Baseline flight without the shoreline. We compared the pitch and roll attitude, altitude, and heading during the False and True Horizon conditions relative to Baseline performance. We found that pilots’ heading, roll, and pitch attitude deviated significantly from straight-and-level according to the relative orientation of the shoreline during the False Horizon. Further, men and women were equally susceptible to the illusion. Our successful reproduction of the spatial disorientation associated with the false horizon illusion shows that it is possible to incorporate these scenarios in aviation training at a low cost; thus, trainees can be taught to counteract such illusions in a safe, controlled environment.
Event Type
Poster
TimeTuesday, October 14th5:30pm - 6:30pm CDT
LocationRiverside East