Plain English Meaning

How a pilot handles the feeling of not knowing which way is up when the eyes can't see the horizon. The short answer: believe the instruments, not your body.

Full Definition

The set of techniques a pilot uses to prevent and recover from spatial disorientation, centered on trusting the flight instruments over bodily sensations when visual references outside the aircraft are lost or unreliable. Core practices include obtaining instrument training before flight in reduced visibility, avoiding flight into deteriorating weather without an instrument rating, maintaining proficiency, controlling the aircraft by reference to instruments, and resisting the urge to act on conflicting sensory inputs from the and body.