When approaching for a landing on a short runway, how might a pilot misjudge their position?

When approaching for a landing on a short runway, the correct answer highlights a common cognitive bias that can occur during the landing phase. Pilots may misjudge their altitude by thinking they are lower than they truly are, which leads to a tendency to overshoot the landing area. This miscalculation can happen due to a number of factors, including a lack of visual references or an incorrect perception of the approach angle.

In a situation where the runway is short, this misjudgment can be particularly critical since the pilot may be trained to expect a certain height profile leading to a longer landing strip. The resultant overshooting can lead to landing beyond the runway boundaries, potentially resulting in a critical safety risk. Realizing they are too low can create a psychological reaction, prompting the pilot to compensate by increasing their descent rate or aiming for a visual reference that seems closer than it actually is.

Being aware of this tendency to misjudge altitude is essential for pilots, as it underscores the importance of maintaining situational awareness and relying on instruments alongside visual cues when approaching shorter airstrips. This awareness helps prevent errors that can occur during what is already a complex phase of flight.