PL.X.B.R5

From the FAA library

• Instrument Flying Handbookp. 6-27
  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…

• Instrument Flying Handbookp. 8-2
  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…

• Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledgep. 17-27
  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…

• Instrument Flying Handbookp. 6-11
  Chapter 6, Section I: Airplane Attitude Instrument Flying › Fundamental Skills › Common Cross-Check Errors

  practice can result in many of the following common scanning errors, both during training and at any subsequent time. Fixation, or staring at a single instrument, usually occurs for a reason, but has poor results. For example, a pilot ... stare at the altimeter reading 200 feet below the assigned altitude, and wonder how the needle got there. While fixated on the instrument, increasing tension may be unconsciously exerted on the controls, which leads to an unnoticed heading change that…

• Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledgep. 2-24
  Chapter 2: Aeronautical Decision-Making › RISK › Situational Awareness

  pilot understands what is going on and has an overview of the total operation, he or she is not fixated on one perceived significant factor. Not only is it important for a pilot to know the aircraft’s geographical location ... used. Obstacles to Maintaining Situational Awareness Fatigue, stress, and work overload can cause a pilot to fixate on a single perceived important item and reduce an overall situational awareness of the flight. A contributing factor in many accidents…

• Instrument Flying Handbookp. 7-36
  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…