Situational Awareness Is Key Inside, Outside the Cockpit

A certified flight instructor offers tips for staying ahead of the aircraft.

Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 01:50 PM ET

Verified

The ADS-B installation requirement a few years back was supposed to make our crowded airspace safer. [Credit: Aspen Avionics]

Key Takeaways:

Pilots must maintain exceptional visual awareness through constant scanning and clearing turns, especially in crowded airspace, and be prepared for potential ATC denials at busy towered airports.
Modern technology like ADS-B is a valuable supplementary tool for traffic awareness, but it should not replace fundamental visual scanning ("head on a swivel") and can become a distraction if over-relied upon.
Ultimately, preventing mid-air collisions hinges on maintaining superior situational awareness and proactively "staying ahead of the airplane," as demonstrated by tragic incidents where communication and technology alone were insufficient.

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The private pilot from a nontowered airport intended to fly to a towered airport to work on his radio skills while performing takeoffs and landings. At 10 nm out, he listened to the airport’s ATIS, noted the information for winds and runway in use, and set the altimeter. When he was approximately 6 nm out and over a VFR reporting point, he called the tower to request entry for touch and go.

“Cannot accommodate you at this time. Steer clear of the (insert name of airport) Class Delta airspace.” was the reply.