IFR/VFR Separation

Regulations prevent collisions through right-of-way rules. These codified decencies apply to the road, sea and air. For aviation, 14 CFR 91.113 warns that regardless of whether an operation is conducted under instrument flight rules or visual flight rules, vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft. Sage advice, that, especially with our butts in the hot seat.

jmiller

Tuesday, May 02, 2017 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The fundamental "see and avoid" principle for aircraft collision prevention is often insufficient due to human limitations, environmental conditions, and operational distractions.
Current air traffic control (ATC) separation methods, especially pilot-applied visual separation, have critical shortcomings that contribute to near mid-air collisions (NMACs).
Factors like increased GPS navigation precision and more VFR aircraft operating near controlled airspace exacerbate the risk of mid-air conflicts.
Preventing NMACs requires systemic changes, including revised visual separation rules (e.g., three-party agreement, performance consideration), improved traffic awareness technology, and greater utilization of positively controlled airspace.

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Leaving a busy Class B, I checked-in with Departure leveling 4000 feet and received, “climb and maintain 8000. VFR traffic, a helicopter, twelve o-clock at 5500, has you in sight.” I thought, “Whiskey, tango, foxtrot: hello midair.”

Regulations prevent collisions through right-of-way rules. These codified decencies apply to the road, sea and air. For aviation, 14 CFR 91.113 warns that “regardless of whether an operation is conducted under instrument flight rules or visual flight rules, vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft.” Sage advice, that, especially with our butts in the hot seat.