Collision Avoidance Procedures Soaring Safety Foundation Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic Rich Carlson

Sharing Airspace

Regulations  FAR (b) Regardless of … IFR or VFR … all pilots will observe “See and Avoid” procedures Regardless of … IFR or VFR … all pilots will observe “See and Avoid” procedures  Advisory Circular 90-48C Pilots role in collision avoidance Pilots role in collision avoidance  AIM Section (d) Describes effective scanning techniques Describes effective scanning techniques

See and Avoid  Basic Concept Look outside and avoid running into other aircraft! Look outside and avoid running into other aircraft!

See and Avoid  Advantages Uses Mark I human eyeball Uses Mark I human eyeball Low regulatory overhead Low regulatory overhead  Limitations Pilot must recognize hazard and take action Pilot must recognize hazard and take action

Mark I Eyeball Supplement Page 8

Problems  Physiological issues Blind spot Blind spot Empty Field Myopia Empty Field Myopia  Physical obstructions Seat location Seat location Canopy rails Canopy rails Instruments Instruments

Visual Scanning  Peripheral vision detects motion  Foveal vision identifies objects  Proper scanning procedures Use multiple sectors (10 deg) Use multiple sectors (10 deg) Stop in each sector for a second or 2 Stop in each sector for a second or 2 Focus on distant object Focus on distant object

Known Hazardous Areas  General areas Near VOR’s Near VOR’s In and around Class D, C, and B airspace In and around Class D, C, and B airspace Near victor airways Near victor airways Within 5 miles and 3000 ft of an airport Within 5 miles and 3000 ft of an airport

Known Hazardous Areas  Glider Specific Thermals Thermals Start/Finish Gate Start/Finish Gate Turnpoints Turnpoints Ridge line Ridge line Others Others

Aircraft Markings  Anti-collision markings A study by the OSTIV TSP found that high visibility color (Safety Orange) reduced the visibility of a glider A study by the OSTIV TSP found that high visibility color (Safety Orange) reduced the visibility of a glider Highly reflective ‘mirror’ tape did a much better job Highly reflective ‘mirror’ tape did a much better job

Visual Perception  The blocks on the lower left mark the danger area for the speeds quoted, when aircraft are on a collision course. This danger area is based on the recognition and reaction time shown in the table on the lower right.  From AC 90-48C

Reaction time in seconds

Visual Perception  Move back 12 feet from this illustration. From that position the silhouettes represent a T-33 aircraft as it would appear to you from the distances indicated in the table on the left. The time required to cover these distances is given in seconds for a combined speed of 360 and 600 mph.  From AC 90-48C

Is a collision imminent?

Position Reporting  Where am I  Where are you  Aids to position reporting GPS distance/bearing GPS distance/bearing Altitude Altitude Known ground reference Known ground reference

Electronic Aids  Radio’s  Transponders Operation limitations Operation limitations Glider only codes Glider only codes

Portable Collision Avoidance Boxes PCAS - MRX PCAS - XRX

Situational Awareness  What’s happening now  What’s going to happen next  What’s going to happen soon  What’s he going to do

12 Action Items from Jim Short’s “Airspace in the New Century”  Prominent posting of airline arrival/departure routes and expected altitudes  Post NOTAMs for meets and contests  Define local areas that are relatively safe  Voluntarily avoid high risk areas  Increase our personal vigilance at critical altitudes  Consider a Mode C transponder Supplement Page 7

Summary  Remember – most mid-airs and near mid- airs occur during the day, in VFR conditions, close to an airport  See and Avoid procedures need to be taught