Collision Avoidance

Pilot's Role in Collision Avoidance
Collision Avoidance
Advisory Circular 90-48C

Remember Herb's Rules to Live By:
1. Use a Checklist.
2. Look outside
3. Never fly hard IFR in a single engine aircraft

Visual Scan and Collision Avoidance
-Most midair collisions occur near airports, during daylight hours and in VFR conditions. Early detection is crucial to avoiding collisions, since it takes about 12.5 seconds to realize you are on a collision course and to do something about it.

-Degraded physical condition = degraded vision.

-Environmental conditions degrade vision

-Vestibular and visual disturbances can create motion and visual illusions.

-Spend 2/3 to 3/4 of scan time outside cockpit.

-Proper visual scanning procedures, eye movements of 10 degrees, focusing one to two seconds on each segment of the sky, 60 degrees left and right, 10 degrees up and down. Day=central vision, night=peripheral.

-“See and avoid” concept requires vigilance be maintained at all times, regardless whether the operation is IFR or VFR.

-Poor scanning = increased collision risk.

-Proper clearing procedures in all phases of flight.

-Know your aircraft’s blind spots.

-Aircraft speed differential and collision risk, converging at 300 knots = 36 seconds to react.

-Greatest collision risk: Airways, VORs, within 25 nm of airports, enroute, at or below 8,000 feet, day, VMC.

“Clear left, clear right, above and below”

Back to Special Emphasis Items

References:
Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge

FAR/AIM

Aviation Instructors Handbook

Instrument Flying Handbook