What is the effect of the Black Hole Illusion on a pilot during a visual approach?

The Black Hole Illusion significantly affects a pilot’s perception during a visual approach, particularly in situations with poor visual references, such as landing at an airport surrounded by dark terrain or water. In this scenario, the lack of visual cues can lead to a distorted sense of height relative to the runway.

When pilots experience the Black Hole Illusion, they may believe they are at a higher altitude than they actually are. This misperception can result in them flying an approach that is too low, as they may not recognize the true distance from the runway. Essentially, this illusion leads to a dangerous situation where the pilot could inadvertently descend below the safe glide path, risking a controlled flight into terrain or other obstacles near the airport.

Proper training and awareness of the Black Hole Illusion are crucial for pilots to mitigate the risks associated with it. With this understanding, they can make more informed decisions during approaches in conditions where visual references are minimal or misleading.