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  • Chapter 8: Helicopter Attitude Instrument Flying › Instrument Flight › Instrument Cross-Check

    single instrument, instead of relying on a combination of instruments necessary for helicopter performance information. This differs from fixation in that other instruments are included in a cross-check, but too much attention is placed on one particular instrument. Figure ... descent, a pilot may concentrate on pitch control, while forgetting about heading or roll information. This error, called omission, results in erratic control of heading and bank…

  • Chapter 6, Section II: Airplane Attitude Instrument Flying › Common Errors › Fixation

    knot. Fixation can lead to attempting to keep the airspeed to an unnecessarily tight tolerance. There is no need to hold airspeed to within one knot; the Instrument Rating Practical Test Standards (PTS) allows greater latitude. Omission Another common error…

  • Chapter 3: The Learning Process › Putting It All Together › Fixation and Inattention

    Fixation and Inattention Since human attention is limited in focus and highly prone to distraction, people are vulnerable to two other types of problems: fixation and inattention. Fixation occurs when a learner becomes absorbed in performing one task ... exclusion of other tasks. Instructors see many examples of this in learner performance. Beginning instrument pilots characteristically fixate on particular instruments, attempting to control one aspect of their performance while other aspects deteriorate. Fixation on a task is often…

  • Chapter 17: Aeromedical Factors › Vision in Flight › Fascination (Fixation)

    light that is increasing or decreasing in luminance (brightness). Pilots may interpret the light as approaching or retreating. Fascination (Fixation) This illusion occurs when pilots ignore orientation cues and fix their attention on a goal or an object. Student pilots ... tend to have this happen when they are concentrating on the aircraft instruments or attempting to land. They become fixated on one task and forget to look at what is going on around them. At night, this can be especially…

  • Chapter 7, Section II: Airplane Basic Flight Maneuvers › Straight-and-Level Flight › Partial Panel Flight

    causing an oscillation effect. This type of oscillation can quickly cause the pilot to become disoriented and begin to fixate on the altitude. Fixation on the altimeter can lead to a loss of directional control as well as airspeed control…

  • Chapter 7, Section II: Airplane Basic Flight Maneuvers › Straight-and-Level Flight › Pitch

    pressures. A rapid cross-check should be established in order to validate the desired performance is being achieved. 6. Fixation during cross-check. Devoting an unequal amount of time to one instrument either for interpretation or assigning too much importance ... left. [Figure 7-62] Corrective Action: The pilot should monitor all instrumentation during the cross-check. Do not fixate on one instrument waiting for validation. Continue to scan all instruments to avoid allowing the aircraft to begin a deviation…