During a Graveyard Spiral, returning to the original flight path has what effect?

During a Graveyard Spiral, returning to the original flight path has what effect?

• A. Returning to the original flight path relieves the sensation.
• B. The sensation persists despite path correction.
• C. It only occurs when the bank angle is shallow.
• D. The spiral ends only with altitude loss.

Answer: (A)

Graveyard spirals are dangerous because disorientation makes you perceive that you’re turning even when you’re not, and you can slip into a tightening descent. The key point is that the sensation of turning comes from the aircraft actually being in a banked turn. If you roll out and rejoin the original flight path, the rotation stops, so the vestibular system no longer senses a turn and that deceptive feeling goes away. The airplane may still be descending in the spiral, but the illusion of turning is relieved once you’re back on the straight path. That’s why this action stops the sensation, though you still need to address the altitude loss and regain level flight or a safe pitch attitude.

Graveyard spirals are dangerous because disorientation makes you perceive that you’re turning even when you’re not, and you can slip into a tightening descent. The key point is that the sensation of turning comes from the aircraft actually being in a banked turn. If you roll out and rejoin the original flight path, the rotation stops, so the vestibular system no longer senses a turn and that deceptive feeling goes away. The airplane may still be descending in the spiral, but the illusion of turning is relieved once you’re back on the straight path. That’s why this action stops the sensation, though you still need to address the altitude loss and regain level flight or a safe pitch attitude.