Пилот избежал столкновения с горой, доверившись автопилоту при внезапном исчезновении визуальных ориентиров

Spatial disorientation is devastatingly real. [Image: Joel Kimmel] Key Takeaways: An experienced pilot faced severe spatial disorientation during a night takeoff when an unexpected lunar eclipse suddenly eliminated all visual references, leading him to unknowingly fly directly towards mountains. Despite initial instincts, the pilot's crucial decision to trust his autopilot (the "blue button") and flight instruments allowed him to correct his aircraft's path and avoid a potential collision. The incident highlighted the devastating reality of spatial disorientation, the autopilot's role as a critical safety tool, and the vital importance of instrument proficiency for all pilots, regardless of intended flight conditions. I am a 2,000-hour private pilot with an instrument rating and a tailwheel endorsement, but the night I nearly flew into a mountain, none of that experience mattered as much as a single blue button on my panel. Aviation has been in my blood since childhood. My father’s first job out of engineering school in 1966 was as a wind tunnel engineer working directly for Igor Sikorsky, designing helicopters in Connecticut. CREATE A FREE ACCOUNT Sign up to keep reading Create a free account to continue. Already a member? Sign in below. David Segel is a 2,000-hour private pilot with instrument and tailwheel endorsements who flies a Bonanza F33A and a Carbon Cub FX3 from Alpine Airpark (46U) in Wyoming. He is the founder and president of London-based Mako Group, a feature and documentary filmmaker, and an adventurer.