Vestibular Disorientation

desertdog71

desertdog71

Girthy Member
I made mention of this in another post. But I will try here as well.

While flying in some IMC today with Moderate Turbulence, I began feeling a Yawing or Spinning sensation. This was contrary to the instrument indications, and it made it difficult to concentrate.

I am wondering if this is common, and also if there is anything that I can do to overcome this. My CFI said what I felt was pretty common, and goes away with experience. I am just wondering what I can do in the meantime. It wasn't really anything too bad to handle, but it did make me somewhat uncomfortable.

Anybody else have these experiences?

Thanks
 
Completely normal. Spatial disorientation occurs all the time even to very experienced pilots. You'll learn throughout your training to "ignore" those senses. I had it happen frequently even as an instrument rated pilot flying in IMC. The key is to know how to deal with it. The AIM has some very good information in chapter 8. There are several reasons why you'd feel disoriented. I'd highly advise you read up about them in the instrument flying handbook or the AIM. The more you know, the better you are.

Good luck.
 
Like I said, it wasn't anything I couldn't deal with, but it was uncomfortable. Not Nauseating or anything, it just impaired my concentration a bit. I can see how with a heavy workload this would be a problem. Thus all the concentrating on unusual attitude recovery.

I am glad to hear that its normal though. I have never had any balance problems, and never experienced anything like this before. That prompted my concern.

Thanks
 
DesertDog,

As others have stated it is common in the begining of IR training and you have to fight through it. Also when doing your IR training and flying from VMC to IMC transition to your instruments early. I found when instructing, students that transitioned to their instruments late had more disorientation.

Just wondering if you have a cold or alergies? If you have any congestion it may contribute to the disorientation.

Keep up the good work
 
welcome to the "leans" i have only experienced it once and that was my first time ever in the clouds. i have about 5 hours now of actual and recently flew last saturday in the clouds, my instructor got the leans really bad, but i was fine because i was on the instruments like a fly on dog crap
 
I did that myself, concentrated best I could on the Instruments and did what I could. I did have some Altitude control issues, but that was as much Turbulence as me I think. I asked for Lower and stabilized pretty good after that.

I appreciate the feedback. I should have just listend to my CFI, but sometimes it helps to hear it from more than one source.
 
Hey, You might have already seen it, but FAA's Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge book has some GREAT explanations and pictures of the hows and whys of Spacial D! I just learned about that stuff in depth at 230TT, and that's about 140 hours AFTER IFR training!
 
Take it from someone who's been in the clouds a LOT. Spacial D is normal. First, ALWAYS trust the ADI, at least initially. Then cross reference all the other instruments. They should all be telling you the same thing. For example if the ADI is showing you straight and level, the Compass card is not spinning, the mag. compass is not spinning, and the turn needle shows straight, then you're NOT in a bank. No matter what your body is telling you! Humans don't have millions of years of evolution promoting our ability to fly, so we get messed up sometimes. Our bodies evolved on the ground moving no faster than a quick run.
 
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