Definition
A spatial disorientation illusion that occurs when a pilot experiences greater-than-normal G-forces (positive G loading above 1G), causing an over-stimulation of the inner ear's otolith organs. The pilot perceives a false pitch-up or pitch-down attitude when none has occurred, or misjudges the magnitude of an actual attitude change.
Plain English
When you pull more Gs than usual, your inner ear can wrongly tell you the airplane has pitched up or down, even if it hasn't. You feel a tilt that isn't really there.
Context Anchor
Encountered in discussions of spatial disorientation, especially during instrument flying, steep turns, and high-performance maneuvering.
Derivation
G refers to the force of gravity used as a unit of acceleration. Excess simply means more than normal. Together: an illusion caused by an excess of G-force above the usual 1G the body is built to interpret correctly.
Why Pilots Care
The false sensation prompts incorrect pitch or bank corrections that can lead to spatial disorientation or loss of control.
Grounding Statement
In a steep, tight turn pulling 2 or 3 Gs, you might suddenly feel the nose has pitched up sharply, even though the attitude indicator shows it hasn't moved.
Intuition Check
G-excess illusion does not mean the aircraft has too much G for its structure. It means extra G is fooling the pilot’s sense of attitude.
Example Sentence 1
During a steep turn at 2.5 Gs, the pilot felt the nose pitch up and started to push forward, recognizing just in time that it was a G-excess illusion.
Example Sentence 2
Centrifuge training exposed the student to the G-excess illusion so it would be recognized in actual flight.