Inside Out or Outside In? What Kind of Pilot Should You Be?

Use all of your tools to spot nearby traffic.

Amy Laboda

Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 11:48 AM ET

Verified

[Photo: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

A pilot poll revealed that most pilots (65%) rely solely on visual scanning for collision avoidance in the traffic pattern, largely underutilizing onboard traffic equipment like ADS-B.
The author expresses concern over this underutilization, emphasizing that integrating modern cockpit technology with traditional visual scanning is crucial for enhanced safety in high-risk areas like the traffic pattern.
The article advocates for a balanced approach in pilot training and practice, stressing the importance of focusing both inside the cockpit (instrumentation) and outside the windscreen (visual cues) for comprehensive situational awareness.

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Perusing the internet, as I often do with my first—OK, maybe second—cup of coffee in the morning, I came across a Q&A poll on a website that stopped me cold. It asked: When flying in the airport traffic pattern, do you use onboard equipment to locate other aircraft?

The poll showed that of pilots who answered the question, 34 percent (more than 2,100 individuals) answered yes. This was in contrast to the 65 percent (more than 4,000) who said no, they only scan visually in the pattern.