← All explained questions · Aeromedical Factors

The best way to overcome spatial disorientation is to do what?

Choices

  • ✓ Trust and fly the flight instruments rather than bodily sensationscorrect

    Instruments give the true attitude when the inner ear is misleading.

  • Rely on the feeling in the seat and inner ear

    Those false cues are the cause of disorientation.

  • Close the eyes until the sensation passes

    Closing the eyes removes the instruments needed to recover.

  • Make rapid head movements to reset the inner ear

    Rapid head movements can worsen vestibular illusions.

Why

Vestibular illusions arise when the inner ear gives false cues. The remedy is to believe and fly the flight instruments instead of physical sensations.

FAA source: PHAK Ch. 17 / spatial disorientation and illusionsbrowse the reference library →

This is taught in When Your Senses Lie: Disorientation, Motion Sickness, Ears and Night Vision — study the lessons free, then practice with grading and mastery tracking.

Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question.

The best way to overcome spatial disorientation is to do what? · PPL Free Ground School