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Spatial Disorientation

Aeromedical

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Sensory Illusion in Flight

Spatial disorientation is the inability to determine accurately attitude or motion relative to the earth. Common vestibular illusions include the leans, the graveyard spiral, the somatogravic illusion and the Coriolis illusion. The remedy is to trust the instruments.

Source FAA Aeronautical Information Manual · checked 2026-08-25

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