When approaching a well-lit runway surrounded by dark areas, which illusion may be experienced by the pilot?

The featureless terrain illusion occurs when a pilot approaches a well-lit runway that is surrounded by dark areas, such as fields or water. This situation creates a visual perception that there is no distinct reference point between the aircraft and the runway. The lack of visual cues can lead to an incorrect assessment of altitude and spatial orientation, potentially causing the pilot to misjudge their approach and landing.

In this scenario, the brightness of the runway lights draws the pilot's attention, while the surrounding darkness minimizes the ability to determine the aircraft's height above the ground. As a result, this illusion can lead to a situation where a pilot may unintentionally descend too rapidly or too low, increasing the risk of an accident during landing.

The other options represent different types of illusions that can occur under various visual conditions. However, they do not specifically relate to the unique combination of a brightly lit runway surrounded by dark areas. Understanding the featureless terrain illusion emphasizes the importance of maintaining situational awareness and being mindful of how visual perceptions can impact flight safety.