FAA Recommends Spatial Disorientation Training for All Pilots

The FAA has released an Information for Operators (InFO), calling for all pilots to receive training in spatial disorientation (SD).

SD occurs when a pilot’s perception of the direction of flight is not consistent with reality, often due to the lack of visual references or conflicting signals from the body’s sensory systems, FAA officials explained.

Released Jan. 22, 2026, the InFO came about from a safety recommendation from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which identified SD as an issue in a high-profile helicopter accident that occurred in Calabasas, California, in January 2020. The board directed the FAA to convene a panel to evaluate SD simulation technologies to determine which are most effective for training pilots to recognize and mitigate SD. The Spatial Disorientation Training Workgroup (SDT WG) submitted its report to the FAA in January 2023.

“Given that approximately 80% of all aviation accidents involve human factors, the FAA recommends a greater focus on SD training beyond the scope of current guidelines,” the InFO said. “SD training should emphasize avoidance of conditions where SD can occur, as well as recognition of onset and recovery from SD events.”

The agency recommends that SD training include:

• Scenario-Based Training: This training should include unexpected scenarios that mimic real-life situations where disorientation may occur to cultivate practical flying skills.
• Maneuver-Based Training: This training should focus on isolating single events or maneuvers in a controlled environment. By doing this, pilots can gain a deeper understanding of how these situations can lead to SD, and learn effective strategies to recognize, counteract, and recover from such disorientation.

The InFO also recommends that pilots receive both theoretical training and practical training.

Theoretical training includes ground school, which trains in the physiological systems and structures involved and the mechanisms by which pilots experience SD, FAA officials explained.

“Theoretical training establishes the foundation from which situational awareness, insight, knowledge, and skills are developed, and therefore should be accomplished prior to practical training,” the recommendation noted.

Practical training includes “exposure to stimuli likely to produce SD, either in an aircraft or suitable ground-based training device” which “allows the pilot to correlate sensations and perceptions experienced during SD with the knowledge obtained from theoretical training.”

Sim training could be in full-flight simulators or specialized Spatial Disorientation trainers, FAA officials said.

In-Flight training

“Under controlled conditions, flight instructors can demonstrate how easily SD can occur and teach recovery techniques,” the InFO said. “In-flight training often includes flying with instruments only, while using view-limiting devices to block the outside view and reinforce reliance on aircraft instruments rather than sensory perception.”

Also important are refresher training courses, according to agency officials, who said all pilots should participate in regular refresher courses “to reinforce an understanding of common SD causes and practice instrument scanning techniques, including cross-checking data from multiple sources (e.g., electronic flight bag, Air Traffic Control (ATC) resources, etc.). Refresher training should also review SD recognition and recovery techniques.”

Special Emphasis Areas

The InFO goes on to say that pilots should be trained and be aware of locations where SD is more prevalent, including mountainous areas, low altitudes, coastal regions, uncongested areas, and locations with a lack of weather advisory. FAA officials advise pilots “should remain vigilant when conducting operations in these types of locations, which could lead to SD.”

That also goes for environmental conditions that could lead to SD, including heavy precipitation, areas of rapid weather changes, night operations, areas of common fog development, pollution-induced low visibility zones, and near volcanic eruptions.

Also imperative is “immediate recognition and acceptance” of SD, according to the InFO.

“Awareness and vigilance during flight help pilots learn to quickly identify symptoms of SD. Once recognized, pilots can accept that they are experiencing SD and immediately rely on the aircraft instruments to correct any erroneous perceptions. Ignoring or fighting disorientation can lead to dangerous situations.”

Recovery Strategies

The InFO offers several strategies to enhance safety and reduce accidents, including:

• Trust the Instruments: It is imperative pilots learn to rely on the flight instruments over the pilot’s sensory perceptions when feeling disoriented. Flight instruments provide objective data about the aircraft’s orientation and are crucial for safe flying.
• Fly Straight and Level: If a pilot becomes disoriented, the pilot should focus on flying straight and level using the aircraft’s flight instruments until they can regain situational awareness.
• Cross-Check Instruments: It is imperative that pilots regularly cross-check multiple flight instruments to ensure they are giving consistent information. This can help confirm the aircraft’s true orientation.
• Avoid Sudden Movements: Pilots should make smooth, gradual adjustments to the aircraft controls, as well as head and body movements, to minimize the risk of further disorientation.
• Regain Visual Reference: Pilots may regain visual references by descending to a known, safe, lower altitude or by climbing to a higher altitude where they can see the ground or the horizon. Once in visual conditions, pilots should remain in visual meteorological conditions for the remainder of the flight.
• Stay Calm and Focused: Panic can worsen the disorientation. When experiencing SD, pilots should take a few deep breaths and focus on the training received, recovery procedures, and checklists available.
• Communicate with ATC: If available, pilots should communicate their situation to ATC for further assistance and guidance.
• Use Autopilot: If available, pilots should engage the autopilot to maintain stability and control of the aircraft. This can give a pilot time to regain situational awareness and to recover from SD.

While an InFO contains “valuable information,” it is only for guidance and is not required, FAA officials noted.

You can read the full InFO at FAA.gov.