False horizon

False Horizon

False horizon refers to incorrect visual information that can disorient a pilot from the actual horizon. This distortion may be caused by natural and geometric formations, which the pilot misinterprets as the actual horizon and uses for aligning the aircraft. False horizon may occur during periods of low lighting, such as during sunrise or sunset, when the horizon appears ambiguous or obscured. It can also occur when clouds, fog, or haze obscure the true horizon, and the pilot relies on nearby visual cues such as water bodies, isolated buildings, or trees to guide them. False horizon can result in spatial disorientation, which may lead to dangerous aviation accidents. Hence, pilots are trained to recognize and compensate for the distortion caused by false horizon by using other instruments and techniques for spatial orientation.