*** Posted by RUN ***
[Hi RUN,

Spatial disorientation, is that when a pilot is not aware of what's around him or what's going on for a few seconds? Like after a pilot has recovered from G-lock.

Rapier]

Spatial disorientation is when you get a wrong feeling of whats up & down and this feeling sticks to you, so you start douting that the instruments are telling you the truth. It normally happens when you are in the clouds or at night. The wrong sensations can be caused by visual "illusions" outside the jet, fx the landing light which is located off center on the jet can give you a wrong sensation of whats up if you are flying at night in the clouds (Therefore I normally have it off untill right when I have to touch down) or when you are acellerating you can get the sensation that you are in a climb even though you are flying level.
The best way to counter this is by going 100% on instruments. Some pilots have even had to eject because they couldn't fly the jet anymore.
RUN