Flight Traffic Displays

Marginally effective, see-and-avoid is based on the big sky theory; the sky is big and airplanes are small so the chances of running into each other are minimal. Our vision limitations in an airplane combined with massive blind spots foreshadow disaster. In 2014, pilots reported 163 near mid-air collisions. Most involved GA. Who knows how many occurred without either pilot realizing?

jmiller

Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The traditional "see-and-avoid" method for preventing mid-air collisions is critically flawed and dangerous, especially for general aviation, despite still being a primary regulatory requirement.
While robust traffic avoidance systems like TCAS were historically too expensive for most general aviation pilots, innovations like ADS-B (with TIS-B and ADS-R) are significantly increasing the accessibility of real-time traffic information.
Pilots must understand the specific display symbology of various traffic systems and integrate this information, but remain ultimately responsible for "see-and-avoid," with only TCAS II Resolution Advisories explicitly permitting deviation from ATC clearance without visual contact or declaring an emergency.

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Mid-air collision possibilities frighten every pilot and have shaped aviation. The first occurred in 1910. In 1956, United 718 and TWA 2 collided over the Grand Canyon. The accident “led directly to legislation creating the Federal Aviation Agency,” according to the FAA.