Human Performance
Visual Illusions Awareness
Flight Operations Briefing Notes
Flight Operations Briefing Notes
Human Performance
Visual Illusions Awareness
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Introduction
Visual illusions take place when conditions modify the pilot's perception of
the environment relative to his / her expectations.
Visual illusions may result in landing short of the runway, hard landing or runway
overrun, but may also cause spatial disorientation and loss of control.
This Flight Operations Briefing Note provides an overview of:
Factors and conditions that may cause visual illusions;
How visual illusions affect the pilot's perception of the airport / runway environment
and runway; and,
How to reduce the effects of visual illusions by implementing related prevention
strategies and lines-of-defense in training and line operation.
Statistical Data
30 % of approach-and-landing accidents occur during the conduct of visual approaches
or during the visual segment of an instrument approach.
Visual approaches at night present a greater exposure because of reduced visual cues,
increased likelihood of visual illusions and risk of spatial disorientation.
Low visibility and/or precipitations are a circumstantial factor in more than 70 % of
approach-and-landing accidents, including those involving CFIT.
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