Aero-Tips!

A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of "there are no old, bold pilots.") It's part of what makes aviation so exciting for all of us... just when you think you've seen it all, along comes a scenario you've never imagined.

Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner, master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our readers -- and us -- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators, and as representatives of the flying community. Some of them, you may have heard before... but for each of us, there will also be something we might never have considered before, or something that didn't "stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized it for the practical test.

It is our unabashed goal that "Aero-Tips" will help our readers become better, safer pilots -- as well as introducing our ground-bound readers to the concepts and principles that keep those strange aluminum-and-composite contraptions in the air... and allow them to soar magnificently through it.

Look for our daily Aero-Tips segments, coming each day to you through the Aero-News Network. Suggestions for future Aero-Tips are always welcome, as are additions or discussion of each day's tips. Remember... when it comes to being better pilots, we're all in this together.

Aero-Tips 06.18.06

"November 329PT, traffic is a Cessna, ten o'clock and two miles opposite direction at 5000 feet."

"Approach, 329PT, traffic in sight."

What change in responsibility occurs when you tell a controller you have called-out traffic in sight?

This interaction is an example of one type of Air Traffic Control (ATC) safety alert. Controllers issue a safety alert when an airplane under their control (IFR or "participating" VFR) is at an altitude which, in the controller's judgment, places the aircraft in unsafe proximity to (in this case) another aircraft. Safety alerts may not always be provided and it remains the pilot-in-command's responsibility to see and avoid other airplanes when flying in visual meteorological conditions (VMC).

Aircraft conflict alert

As controller workload permits, ATC will issue a conflict alert to airplanes under their control if they feel there is potential for a collision. With the alert, controllers may offer a suggested heading or altitude change to put more distance between conflicting traffic.

• IFR airplanes will be provided IFR separation from other IFR and participating VFR airplanes even if no safety alert is given. The controller may not have time to issue the report even though he/she assures separation.
• One or both conflicting airplanes may be warned. Listen up; you may be called out as traffic for another airplane but not get the call yourself. Keep the "big picture" of your location relative to other on-frequency airplanes in mind.
• Military airplanes, which usually operate on UHF frequencies you won't hear on civilian radios, may or may not be called out as traffic. You can often hear one side of a military conversation as the controller transmits simultaneously on UHF and civilian VHF frequencies.
• Non-participating airplanes may not be called out as traffic. As time permits, controllers may issue safety alerts for non-participating traffic they see on their screens, amended as "altitude unverified" or "altitude unknown" if the other airplane is not being "controlled".

Traffic in sight

When you report the traffic in sight ATC will discontinue safety alerts. IFR separation may no longer be provided. Whether you're IFR or VFR, you are now solely responsible to see and avoid the other traffic, and any wake turbulence it may generate.

• Don't report traffic in sight until you're certain you see the specific traffic called out in the alert.
• If you lose sight of the aircraft, tell controllers -- they'll resume issuing alerts.
• If you don't see the conflicting aircraft but tell ATC you'll change heading or altitude to avoid it, controllers may cease issuing further alerts for that traffic.
• If you have onboard traffic avoidance equipment (ADS-B, TIS, Skywatch, etc.) tell controllers when you have the traffic on your display. Be aware that some normal situations cause a target to disappear from onboard systems when you and they maneuver or get close.

Aero-tip of the day: Safety alerts help you locate other traffic, but do not replace your need to actively scan for and avoid other airplanes.

FMI: Aero-Tips