What visual illusion occurs when lights appear to move due to the pilot's fixation?

Autokinesis is a visual illusion that occurs when a pilot fixates on a stationary light in the dark, which can create the perception that the light is moving. This happens because the eyes can lose reference points in an absence of visual cues, causing the pilot's brain to interpret the prolonged fixation as motion.

In practical situations, such as flying at night or in low visibility conditions, this can lead to incorrect judgments about the aircraft's position and altitude relative to the ground or other navigational aids. A pilot experiencing autokinesis may mistakenly believe that the stationary light is moving and could inadvertently alter the flight path, potentially leading to dangerous situations such as unintentional descent or turbulence avoidance maneuvers.

Understanding this illusion is critical for pilots, as they need to maintain situational awareness and not be misled by such visual phenomena. Recognizing the potential for autokinesis can help pilots implement strategies to mitigate its effects, such as using multiple reference points or adjusting their gaze periodically rather than maintaining prolonged fixation on a single light source.