NTSB accident data suggests that spatial disorientation may be a precursor to many general aviation accidents - particularly in night or limited visibility weather conditions. Instrument and VFR pilots are subject to spatial disorientation and optical illusions that may cause loss of aircraft control.
FAASTeam Representatives and Service Providers are asked to include the following items during training or presentations:
* Discuss the physiology and limitations of human sight and balance mechanisms.
* Offer responses to typical disorientation and illusion events.
* Discuss best practices for preventing Spatial Disorientation.
* Discuss local disorientation accidents and/or incidents.
* Practical demonstrations of vertigo in a Barany Chair or other vertigo-inducing device if available.
A PowerPoint presentation that includes two embedded videos produced by the Civil Aeromedical Institute is available on the FAAST Representative sharepoint site or upon request. Each embedded video is approximately fifteen minutes long. A shorter video is available with links which allow the longer videos to be viewed "on-line" or downloaded.
Thank you for your dedication to aviation safety.