What should pilots rely on to suppress sensations that lead to spatial disorientation during instrument flight?

Pilots should rely on the indications of the flight instruments to suppress sensations that can lead to spatial disorientation during instrument flight. Instrument flight conditions can often create misleading sensory information that might cause a pilot to misinterpret their position and orientation in space. For example, the inner ear can provide conflicting signals that could lead a pilot to believe they are climbing or turning when they are not.

By adhering strictly to the flight instruments, which provide accurate and objective data about the aircraft’s attitude, altitude, airspeed, and heading, pilots can navigate accurately and maintain control without being influenced by erroneous sensory perceptions. This reliance on instruments is critical for safe operation, especially in low visibility conditions where natural visual references are absent.

While other factors, such as a pilot's experience or feedback from a co-pilot, can be beneficial, they do not replace the necessity for accurate instrument reading in preventing spatial disorientation. Visual cues from the aircraft can also be misleading, especially in conditions such as clouds or fog, further emphasizing the need for instrument proficiency.