CPL Human Factors and CRM 2

Question 1

Which vestibular illusion occurs when a pilot in a prolonged coordinated turn perceives the aircraft as wings-level and interprets a return to straight-and-level flight as a turn in the opposite direction?

Accepted Answer

The leans

Answer

The leans occur when the semicircular canals adapt to a prolonged turn, causing the pilot to feel banked when actually wings-level.

Question 2

A pilot simultaneously tilts their head while in a prolonged constant-rate turn, triggering stimulation of all three semicircular canals. This best describes which illusion?

Accepted Answer

Coriolis illusion

Answer

The Coriolis illusion results from head movement during a sustained turn, causing an overwhelming sensation of tumbling or rotation.

Question 3

During a rapid catapult-type acceleration on takeoff, a pilot may falsely perceive a nose-high attitude and push forward on the controls. This is an example of which illusion?

Accepted Answer

Somatogravic illusion

Answer

The somatogravic illusion causes the otolith organs to interpret linear acceleration as a pitch-up attitude.

Question 4

Visual autokinesis is most likely to cause spatial disorientation under which condition?

Accepted Answer

Staring at a single stationary light in a dark environment

Answer

Autokinesis occurs when a pilot fixates on a single stationary light point in darkness, causing it to appear to move.

Question 5

The 'black-hole approach' illusion is most dangerous because it causes the pilot to:

Accepted Answer

Believe the aircraft is too high on the glidepath and dive steeply

Answer

The black-hole illusion—featureless terrain between the aircraft and runway—causes pilots to fly a dangerously low approach, often below the glidepath.

(CPL) Commercial Pilot Licence Practice Test

(CPL) Commercial Pilot Licence Practice Test

CPL Human Factors and CRM 2