Why Do Airplanes Seem to Hover? 3 Brain Tricks Explained

Have you ever watched an airplane land and felt like it was just hovering in the air for a long time before finally touching down? You’re not alone! This common illusion has puzzled many, but it turns out it’s all about how our brains perceive the world.

There are a few reasons why airplanes might appear to hover during landing:

1. The Resting Point of Our Eyes

Our eyes naturally rest at a certain point when looking straight ahead. When we see an airplane approaching, our brains tend to focus on the center of the aircraft. As the plane gets closer, it appears to move slowly because the distance between the plane and our resting point is shrinking. This creates the illusion of hovering.

2. The Size of the Aircraft

Airplanes are large objects, and they take up a significant portion of our field of vision. As they approach for landing, they seem to fill up more and more of our visual space. This can make them appear to be moving slowly, even though they are actually descending at a steady rate.

3. The Real Possibility of Hovering

While airplanes don’t usually hover during landing, there are some situations where they can. For example, during a go-around, the pilot may choose to abort the landing and climb back into the air. This can create a sense of hovering, as the plane seems to be suspended momentarily before continuing its climb.

Understanding the Illusion

It’s important to remember that the illusion of hovering is just that – an illusion. Airplanes are governed by the laws of physics, and they can’t truly hover for extended periods. However, our brains are wired to perceive the world in certain ways, and these perceptual biases can lead to interesting illusions.

Next time you watch an airplane land, pay attention to how your brain perceives its movement. You might be surprised at how easily it can be tricked!