What is the black hole effect in aviation?

The black hole effect in aviation refers to the visual phenomenon encountered when pilots are approaching an airport that lacks sufficient ambient lighting. In such situations, the bright lights of the aircraft can contrast sharply with the dark surroundings, leading to a misperception of altitude and distance. This lack of external references can create a situation where pilots may have difficulty judging their height above the ground, often resulting in an illusion of being higher than they truly are. Consequently, this can lead to a dangerous situation during landing if not properly managed, as pilots might inadvertently descend too rapidly.

The mention of ambient lighting is crucial; when there are few or no lights around the landing area, pilots may struggle to perceive the runway's position relative to their aircraft. Understanding this effect is critical for safety, especially during night flying or approaches to airports located in sparsely populated regions.