What is the term for the illusion where a pilot thinks they are banking when they are not?

The phenomenon where a pilot erroneously perceives that they are banking when they are actually not is known as the Coriolis Illusion. This illusion typically occurs when a pilot experiences a sudden movement or change in direction, especially during activities such as climbing, descending, or executing turns. The vestibular system, which is responsible for balance and spatial orientation, can be tricked by these rapid or unusual maneuvers, leading to the impression of a banking motion even when the aircraft is level.

Understanding this illusion is critical for pilots because it emphasizes the importance of relying on flight instruments rather than solely on bodily sensations for confirming the aircraft's attitude. This highlights a fundamental aspect of human factors in aviation—the need for effective instrument use to mitigate the effects of perceptual errors that can arise during flight.