Final answer:
Haze during flight approach can cause a false horizon optical illusion. This visual distortion can lead to incorrect perceptions of altitude and descent angles, posing a safety risk for landing aircraft.
Step-by-step explanation:
Haze on final approach can cause an optical illusion known as a false horizon. This is due to the impairment of visibility as a result of fine particles (PM2.5) in the air, which are the main cause of reduced visibility and haze, especially in vast open areas like national parks and wilderness areas. The illusion affects pilots upon final approach, making it difficult to properly perceive the position of the horizon, leading to misjudgments in angle of descent and altitude, which are critical for a safe landing.
Similar to how mirages can create the illusion of water on roadways as light is refracted through layers of varying temperature, haze can disturb visual perception and create illusions for pilots. The human brain will attempt to correct for visual anomalies, sometimes resulting in incorrect perceptions, as it tries to ‘fill in’ the missing visual information.
For pilots, this can be especially dangerous during landing, when accurate perception of altitude and aircraft orientation relative to the ground is essential. Therefore, understanding and being trained to anticipate and react to such optical disturbances is crucial for flight safety.