CA.IV.J.R2FAA-S-ACS-7B · Nov 2023Risk management
Water surface/condition.
Water surface/condition.
Bottom line
When landing on glassy water, the flat, featureless surface makes it far more difficult to gauge altitude accurately. Reflections on glassy water can create confusing optical illusions. One simple way to overcome the visual illusions is to land near the shoreline, using the features along the shore to gauge altitude.
FAA references
- SEA ch. 3 (p. 3-3) — FAA-H-8083-23
- SEA ch. 9 (p. 9-4) — FAA-H-8083-23
- AIM 7-6-14 (Flying in Flat Light, Brown Out Conditions, and White Out Conditions) — AIM Basic 2/20/25 w/ Change 1 (8/7/25) & Change 2 (1/22/26)
- SEA ch. 6 (p. 6-6) — FAA-H-8083-23
- RMH ch. 3 (p. 3-7) — FAA-H-8083-2A
- SEA ch. 6 (p. 6-8) — FAA-H-8083-23
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