What effect does haze have on the ability to see traffic or terrain features during flight?

• A. They appear closer than they actually are
• B. They appear farther away than their actual distance
• C. There is no effect on apparent distance
• D. They appear sharper and more distinct

Answer: (B)

Haze reduces contrast and washes out detail by scattering light through the atmosphere. When you judge distance, you rely on cues like how sharp a feature is, how much detail you can see, and how colors and brightness fade with distance. In hazy air, distant terrain and traffic lose contrast against the sky and background, so your brain interprets them as being farther away than they actually are. This phenomenon is a form of atmospheric perspective: increasing distance and haze make objects appear more distant. So, in haze, features look farther away rather than closer, and visibility is reduced overall.