What effect can an abrupt change from climb to straight-and-level flight create?

When transitioning abruptly from a climb to straight-and-level flight, the sensation of tumbling backward can occur due to the body's vestibular system's response to rapid changes in flight conditions. During a climb, the body's inertia is in an upward motion; however, when the aircraft levels off suddenly, the body continues to "feel" the upward motion briefly due to inertia. This can create a disorienting sensation, leading to the perception of tumbling backward.

The vestibular system, which helps maintain balance and spatial orientation, struggles to interpret this rapid shift, resulting in a strong illusion rather than an accurate perception of the aircraft's true position. This phenomenon illustrates the body’s reliance on sensory inputs and how they can sometimes be misleading, particularly in unusual or abrupt changes in flight dynamics. Understanding this effect is crucial for flight instructors to help students recognize and respond to such sensations appropriately.