Page 1 of 156
ARMY AEROMEDICAL EXAM wIth DEtAILED
RAtIOnALEs AnD COMpREhEnsIvE REvIEw
UpDAtED 2026
What is Spatial Disorientation - ANSWER-An individual's inability to determine their position,
attitude, and motion relative to the Earth's Surface.
3 Types of Spatial Disorientation - ANSWER-Type I (Unrecognized): Most dangerous, pilot does
not perceive anything is wrong. Example Height/ Depth Perception Illusion.
Type II (Recognized): Pilot perceives something is wrong, but may not recognize it as SD.
Thinking Instrument failure but not true. Example Graveyard Spiral
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Type III (Incapacitating): Pilot experiences such an overwhelming sensation that he cannot
orient himself using visual cues or instruments. Not fatal if copilot can gain control of the
aircraft (Transfer Controls). Example Coriolis Illusion
Prevention of Spatial Disorientation (Never, Never, Avoid, Trust) - ANSWER-Never fly VMC + IMC
1
Never Fly w/o visual ref points
Avoid: Fatigue, Hypoxia, Anxiety, Smoking, Hypoglycemia
Trust Instruments
Treatment of Spatial Disorientation - ANSWER-Delay Intuitive Action
Rely on & Use Instruments (develop a good crosscheck)
,Page 3 of 156
Transfer Controls (rare for both pilots to have SD)
3 Sensory Systems used to maintain Equilibrium - ANSWER-Visual- Most reliable, 80% of
orientation
Proprioceptive- Pressure on skin, muscles and joints
Vestibular- Inner ear detects motion and gravity (semicircular canals and otolith organ)
2
2 Types of Vestibular Illusions - ANSWER-Somatogyral- (Semicircular canals) (All 3 Axis) (Angular
Acc/Dec)
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Somatogravic- (Otolith organ) (Gravity & Linear Acc/Dec)
Somatogyral Illusions - ANSWER-Leans- (Most common) Feels straight & level, but attitude
indicator shows slight bank. The pilot will level wings and lean in opposite direction until
sensation subsides.
Graveyard Spin-(Usually occurs in fix wing) Piot enters spin for several seconds. Semicircular
canals reach equilibrium. Pilot levels out and feel he is spinning in opposite direction and
reenters original spin.
Coriolis Illusion- (Most dangerous) Prolong turn with rapid head motion activates all 3 axis of
the semicircular canal resulting in an overwhelming head over heels tumbling sensation. ( Must
transfer controls)
Somatogravic Illusions - ANSWER-Oculogravic- During Rapid Acc/Dec the pilot will sense nose up
or nose down. Pilot may over control the acft into an extreme nose low or high att.
ARMY AEROMEDICAL EXAM wIth DEtAILED
RAtIOnALEs AnD COMpREhEnsIvE REvIEw
UpDAtED 2026
What is Spatial Disorientation - ANSWER-An individual's inability to determine their position,
attitude, and motion relative to the Earth's Surface.
3 Types of Spatial Disorientation - ANSWER-Type I (Unrecognized): Most dangerous, pilot does
not perceive anything is wrong. Example Height/ Depth Perception Illusion.
Type II (Recognized): Pilot perceives something is wrong, but may not recognize it as SD.
Thinking Instrument failure but not true. Example Graveyard Spiral
,Page 2 of 156
Type III (Incapacitating): Pilot experiences such an overwhelming sensation that he cannot
orient himself using visual cues or instruments. Not fatal if copilot can gain control of the
aircraft (Transfer Controls). Example Coriolis Illusion
Prevention of Spatial Disorientation (Never, Never, Avoid, Trust) - ANSWER-Never fly VMC + IMC
1
Never Fly w/o visual ref points
Avoid: Fatigue, Hypoxia, Anxiety, Smoking, Hypoglycemia
Trust Instruments
Treatment of Spatial Disorientation - ANSWER-Delay Intuitive Action
Rely on & Use Instruments (develop a good crosscheck)
,Page 3 of 156
Transfer Controls (rare for both pilots to have SD)
3 Sensory Systems used to maintain Equilibrium - ANSWER-Visual- Most reliable, 80% of
orientation
Proprioceptive- Pressure on skin, muscles and joints
Vestibular- Inner ear detects motion and gravity (semicircular canals and otolith organ)
2
2 Types of Vestibular Illusions - ANSWER-Somatogyral- (Semicircular canals) (All 3 Axis) (Angular
Acc/Dec)
, Page 4 of 156
Somatogravic- (Otolith organ) (Gravity & Linear Acc/Dec)
Somatogyral Illusions - ANSWER-Leans- (Most common) Feels straight & level, but attitude
indicator shows slight bank. The pilot will level wings and lean in opposite direction until
sensation subsides.
Graveyard Spin-(Usually occurs in fix wing) Piot enters spin for several seconds. Semicircular
canals reach equilibrium. Pilot levels out and feel he is spinning in opposite direction and
reenters original spin.
Coriolis Illusion- (Most dangerous) Prolong turn with rapid head motion activates all 3 axis of
the semicircular canal resulting in an overwhelming head over heels tumbling sensation. ( Must
transfer controls)
Somatogravic Illusions - ANSWER-Oculogravic- During Rapid Acc/Dec the pilot will sense nose up
or nose down. Pilot may over control the acft into an extreme nose low or high att.
