What is a common consequence of experiencing a downsloping runway illusion?

Experiencing a downsloping runway illusion can lead a pilot to misjudge their approach to landing. When pilots perceive that the runway is sloping downward, they might incorrectly sense that they are at a higher altitude than they actually are. This misperception can result in the pilot maintaining a higher approach profile rather than descending to the appropriate altitude for a safe landing.

The illusion occurs because the downward slope visually cues the pilot to think that the runway is farther away than it is, creating a false sense of altitude. As a result, the pilot may end up compensating by flying at a higher approach altitude, leading to potentially dangerous situations if they fail to descend adequately when they should. Understanding this illusion is critical for maintaining proper situational awareness and ensuring safe landings.