Why Do Airplanes Seem to Hover? 3 Brain Tricks Explained

Have you ever watched an airplane landing and wondered why it seems to hang in the air for a moment before touching down? It's a common illusion that plays tricks on our brains, making us perceive the plane as hovering when it's actually steadily descending.

There are a few reasons why our brains get fooled, and understanding these reasons can help us appreciate the incredible feats of engineering that make air travel possible.

1. The Resting Point of Your Eyes

Our eyes naturally focus on a point at infinity, which is essentially a very distant point. When we look at an object moving towards us, our brains interpret the movement based on the changing angle of our eyes. As the object gets closer, our eyes need to adjust their focus.

When an airplane is descending, it appears to be moving slowly towards us, even though its speed is relatively constant. Our brains, attuned to the slow change in our eye's focus, perceive this as a hovering motion.

2. The Relative Size of Objects

Our brains use the size of objects to judge their distance. A large object that appears to be staying the same size seems farther away than a small object that's moving closer.

As an airplane approaches, it appears to be getting larger, but its descent is gradual. This gradual change in size, combined with the slow change in our eye's focus, tricks our brains into thinking the plane is hovering.

3. The Actual Hovering of Some Aircraft

While most planes don't hover during landing, some aircraft, like helicopters, can actually hover in the air. Our brains are familiar with the concept of hovering, and when we see an airplane seemingly suspended in the air, it's easy to associate this with the familiar image of a helicopter.

Conclusion

The illusion of an airplane hovering during landing is a fascinating example of how our brains interpret visual information. Understanding this illusion allows us to appreciate the amazing engineering that makes air travel possible and to recognize the subtle ways our brains work to interpret the world around us.

Next time you watch an airplane landing, take a moment to observe the illusion and think about the reasons behind it. You'll gain a new appreciation for the complex interplay between our senses and our perceptions.