Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance

Question 1

What is the Vestibular System

Answer 1

The Inner Ear.
There are semicircular canals in the inner ear that can detect angular acceleration. Each is filled with fluid and lined with cilia. When the fluid moves, it causes the cilia to move, thus sending singles to the brain above movement.

Question 2

What are some Vestibular Illusions?

Answer 2

The Leans
Coriolis Illusions
Graveyard Spiral

Question 3

What causes The Leans

Answer 3

A sudden return to level flight after a prolonged, unnoticed turn.

Question 4

What causes Coriolis Illusions?

Answer 4

After a prolonged turn, sudden head movement in a different plane.

Question 5

What causes the Graveyard Spiral

Answer 5

A prolonged, coordinated turn creates the illusion of straight and level flight.

Question 6

What are the effects of the Vestibular Illusion?

Answer 6

Pilot perceives a bank in the opposite direction and may overcorrect.

Question 7

What are the affects of the Coriolis Illusion

Answer 7

The motion of the fluid in more than one cancel creates the illusion of tumbling or spinning.

Question 8

What are the affects of the Graveyard Spiral

Answer 8

When the pilot attempts to level the wings, they feel like they are turning in the opposite direction.

Question 9

What is the Somatosensory Illusion

Answer 9

The somatosensory system is the part of your nervous system responsible for sensing and interpreting touch, temperature, pain, pressure, vibration, and body position (proprioception).

Question 10

What are the Somatosensory Illusions

Answer 10

Somatogravic Illusion
Inversion Illusion
Elevator Illusion

Question 11

What is the cause of the Somatogravic Illusion

Answer 11

Rapid acceleration which gives the sensation of pitching up.

Question 12

What affects does the Somatosensory Illusion have on the pilot

Answer 12

The pilot may push the nose down, risking a dive.

Question 13

What causes the Inversion Illusion

Answer 13

Rapid transition from climb to level flight.

Question 14

What affect does the Inversion Illusion have on the pilot

Answer 14

Sensation of tumbling backward; may cause the pilot to push the nose down unnecessarily.

Question 15

What causes the Elevator Illusion

Answer 15

Sudden veertical acceleration, such as an updraft.

Question 16

What affect does the Elevator Illusion have on the pilot

Answer 16

Pilot perceives a climb and lowers the nose.

Question 17

What is the Visual System

Answer 17

The eyes, which provide spatial orientation using external references like the horizon and ground features.

Question 18

What are the Visual Illusions

Answer 18

False Horizon
Autokinesis

Question 19

What causes False Horizon

Answer 19

Misidentification of the horizon due to sloping clouds, terrain, or city lights.

Question 20

What affect might False Horizon have on the pilot

Answer 20

The pilot may align the aircraft with a false reference, resulting in a dangerous bank or pitch attitude.

Question 21

What causes Autokinesis

Answer 21

Fixating on a stationary light at night, especially in darkness without visual cues.

Question 22

What affect does Autokinesis have on the pilot

Answer 22

When fixating on a light, the pilot may attempt to align with it, causing disorientation.

Question 23

For Right-of-Way Rules (91.113)
Who has the highest priority. Meaning who do all aircraft have to maneuver around

Answer 23

Balloons - due to their limited ability to maneuver.

Question 24

For Right-of-Way Rules (91.113)
Who has the least priority. Meaning which aircraft has to maneuver around all other aircraft

Answer 24

Rotorcraft - due to the maneuverabilty

Question 25

For Right-of-Way Rules (91.113) If two aircraft of the same category are converging, who has the right of way?

Answer 25

The aircraft to the right has the right of way

Question 26

For Right-of-Way Rules (91.113) If two aircraft NOT of the same category are converging, who has the right of way?

Answer 26

- Balloons have the right of way over any other category. - Gliders have the right of way over airships, airplanes, or rotorcraft. - Airships have the right of way over airplanes or rotorcraft.

Question 27

For Right-of-Way Rules (91.113) When an aircraft is being overtaken, who has the right of way? (the one overtaking or the one being overtaken)

Answer 27

The aircraft that is being overtaken has the right of way and must be passed on the right.

Question 28

For Right-of-Way Rules (91.113) For a landing aircraft, who has the right of way?

Answer 28

Aircraft on final approach has the right of way over those in the pattern or on the ground.

Question 29

For Right-of-Way Rules (91.113) When there are two or more aircraft that are landing, who has the right of way.

Answer 29

The lower aircraft has the right of way.

Question 30

What are the two physiological considerations for visual scanning

Answer 30

Foveal Vision Empty-Field Myopia

Question 31

What is Foveal Vision

Answer 31

The fovea is a small area in the center of the retina where cone cells are densely packed. It provides the highest visual acuity — meaning it’s responsible for seeing fine details, reading, or identifying objects.

Question 32

What is Empty-Field Myopia

Answer 32

occurs when a pilot’s eyes relax and focus at a very short distance—usually 10 to 30 feet in front of them—because there are no distinct visual references to focus on.

Question 33

Empty-Field Myopia is also known as

Answer 33

Look but don't see effect

Question 34

Where are some blind spots in aircraft

Answer 34

- Directly behind (tail) - Below the Aircraft - Wing and Fuselage obstructions - During Turns

Question 35

When do most mid-air collisions occur

Answer 35

In good VFR conditions, during daylight