Aircraft banking: the greatest optical illusion

Why any bank angle feels like 45 degrees, what they actually are, and a simple tray table life hack to bring you back to reality.

It may seem like the aircraft is making a steep bank. In such moments, the thought "We are about to flip over" often pops into a fearful flyer's head.

In reality, a large bank angle in an aircraft is the greatest optical illusion. Our gaze slides along the wing, continues this line, and hits the ground. The brain automatically completes the picture as if an equilateral triangle is in front of us. Because of this, almost any bank angle appears to the human eye as 45 degrees.

In reality, bank angles in passenger aircraft are very small: near the ground they do not exceed 10 - 15 degrees, and at cruise altitude they are only 1 - 3 degrees.

Why banking is so difficult for those with a fear of flying

Banking is when something level becomes unlevel. And in a fearful flyer's memory, it is hardwired that any transition from level to unlevel means something bad is about to happen. Today mom is in a good mood, she is loving and warm. But tomorrow the mood is bad, and she becomes cold, punishing and shouting. The psyche records: any change in stability equals danger. This includes moments of banking.

Life hack

At the moment when it feels like the aircraft is banking heavily, place any object on the tray table. Even at a 20-degree tilt, objects would already begin to slide off. You can observe that nothing slides off the table, and your body does not fall to the side. Such an observation provides valuable anchoring and grounding in the moment.

Another useful tool is the SkyGuru app. It shows the real position of the aircraft in space and gives a sense of control and predictability, which are so necessary for an anxious person during a flight.