Collision Avoidance Procedures Soaring Safety Foundation Flight Instructor

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

Sharing Airspace

Regulations Ø FAR 91. 113 (b) l Regardless of … IFR or VFR … all pilots will observe “See and Avoid” procedures Ø Advisory Circular 90 -48 C l Pilots role in collision avoidance Ø AIM Section 4 -4 -13 (d) l Describes effective scanning techniques

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

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

Mark I Eyeball Supplement Page 8

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

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

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

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

Aircraft Markings Ø Anti-collision markings l l 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

Visual Perception Ø 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. Ø From AC 90 -48 C

Reaction time in seconds

Visual Perception Ø 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. Ø From AC 90 -48 C

Is a collision imminent?

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

Electronic Aids Ø Radio’s Ø Transponders l l Operation limitations Glider only codes

Portable Collision Avoidance Boxes PCAS - XRX PCAS - MRX http: //www. zaonflight. com/

Situational Awareness Ø What’s happening now Ø What’s going to happen next Ø What’s going to happen soon Ø 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 Ø Post NOTAMs for meets and contests Ø Define local areas that are relatively safe Ø Voluntarily avoid high risk areas Ø Increase our personal vigilance at critical altitudes Ø Consider a Mode C transponder Ø Supplement Page 7

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