Close Call

**letmein** · 08-20-2008, 01:02 AM

I have just started taking flying lessons and have around 10 hours. Today I was on a flight with my instructor practicing stalls and spiral dives. While the lesson itself went very well, on the way back from the practice area, while we were entering the control zone of the airport the tower warned us about traffic in front that we were to follow. While we were concentrating on following the plane in front of us, I glanced to the left and saw another traffic probably no more than 50 - 100 m away from us at the same altitude (it was hard to judge distance, but he was close enough to cover up a large portion of my window). He saw us at the same time and we did a hard right as he did a left turn to avoid us. The tower had never warned us about him, and I suspect the controller was busy with other traffic, since it was a extremely busy day today.

Does anyone have any good tips on how to scan for traffic? I find that I do have trouble spotting traffic even after ATC has called them out. Also, has anyone had experience with PCAS systems like this one and would it be worth it to get one of those so that I would at least get some warning before other airplanes get too close to me?

http://www.pcas.ca/product_info.php?...9e0d623f660228

***tigisfat*** · 08-20-2008, 02:28 AM

There are many good and accepted methods to scan for traffic while you're airborne. As a VFR pilot, 3/4s of your time should be spent looking outside. Make sure you know that this is testable information for all three tests. Since you're a student and it opens up liability questions, please consider all information recieved here advice and not instruction.

Do not fixate unless you've spotted traffic, and then only look long enough to recognise the aircraft's movement trends. Instead, scan the sky in short segments and look for peripheral movement or, more blatantly, aircraft. I say this because any aircraft on a collision course with you will not move, it will only get bigger. Remember that everything moves in slow motion. Very little traffic will appear to be moving fast to you. Don't focus on details, simply look at big pieces of sky.

Situational Awareness!! Make this your creed as a flyer. Pay attention to the big picture. Listen to the radio and take mental note of where others are, but remember that you will only hear from IFR and participating VFR aircraft. Atc's primary mission is to separate IFR aircraft, then participating VFR, and all others fall in behind that. You, as a future PIC, have the primary responsibility to separate yourself from other traffic as weather allows.

I fly around the Southwest. It seems as if the skies are always polluted with non-participating aircraft down here. Most large ranches have strips on them that aren't charted. This environment calls for extra vigilance. I used to find it hard to see traffic, but this is a skill you will foster and develop over time. Don't worry to much, your instructor is there for these reasons even though I'm sure you feel like the greatest pilot in the universe right now. In 50 hours, you'll be a master at spotting aircraft.

Don't overfly the aircraft. Concentrate on simple movements that keep the aircraft flying itself and in proper trim while you keep your head looking outside.

Good luck, and feel free to PM me or email me whenever you need help. I don't want to step on your instructor's toes, but I am an instructor and I'm more than happy to give out advice.

**InsyleM** · 08-20-2008, 03:41 AM

I remember a number of years ago a pilot friend of mine took me up in a Cessna 172 out at Nut Tree Airport in Vaccaville California. It was very odd, and unuasual for me to get used to looking DOWN and Level for other aircraft. He would always spot thim long before I could. I Guess thats why hes the pilot and im the mechanic

Im sure its a skill that or comes with experance. Even in Flight Sim X it was kind of Odd looking down and seeing planes flying arround.
-Jonathan

**lnuss** · 08-20-2008, 06:52 AM

Tigisfat hit it on the nose -- an excellent description. I'd add a couple of points, though. As a student, you're likely tending to concentrate more on the flying, and on what the instructor is saying or expecting you to do than on your traffic scan, so you need to be aware of this and make it a point to scan for traffic without neglecting the flying of the aircraft.

Typically aircraft below you and, depending on the background, level with you will be harder to spot than those above you -- they tend to blend in. Discuss the traffic scan with your CFI, also -- he should be able to help you develop that scan.

Though it's difficult for you at this point, it's quite possible to learn to judge your aircraft's attitude while looking around other than over the nose. The distance the wingtip is above or below the horizon and the angle the wingtip makes in pitch with the horizon are a couple of clues that can help. As you develop, even the position of the wing struts, the side of the cabin or bottom or top of the windows, etc. can become good reference points as you're looking around.

Practice and experience will help you to see traffic better, but above all discuss this with your CFI and get his help with traffic spotting.

**letmein** · 08-21-2008, 01:26 AM

Thanks for the advice guys, I guess this experience spooked me a lot about other traffic. I have another lesson tomorrow and I'll definitely be talking to my instructor about traffic scans and hopefully no airplane will sneak up to me again without me seeing it first.

**Rnglgdj** · 08-21-2008, 03:57 PM

How do you do in FS spotting the planes if you take the labels off. Especially in the pattern?

Do you crank up the traffic and try a few spins in the pattern with other planes also flying?

In 2d you can keep cranking the hat switch around looking for the traffic and also this get you to practice looking for the plane on final.

Don R

**RyanbATC** · 08-21-2008, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by Rnglgdj

How do you do in FS spotting the planes if you take the labels off. Especially in the pattern?

Do you crank up the traffic and try a few spins in the pattern with other planes also flying?

In 2d you can keep cranking the hat switch around looking for the traffic and also this get you to practice looking for the plane on final.

Don R

It's impossible to see small acft in FS! It's easier in the RW, at least I think so....

**FlyingKiwi** · 08-22-2008, 01:16 AM

It's much easier to see aircraft at a distance in the real world than in FS - the human eye is capable of detecting objects at a distance that are too small to be rendered on a computer monitor.

You will find that as you do more lessons you don't have to focus as much on controlling the aircraft and will be able to devote more attention to scanning for other aircraft. When I was around the 10 hour mark I found it hard to believe that anyone could accurately fly the plane while scanning for other aircraft at the same time! Still, even at the moment, if ever you aren't doing anything (which will often be the case when you start doing crosscountry flights) you should be looking out for other aircraft.

**Rnglgdj** · 08-24-2008, 11:10 AM

My point Ryan. If you can see them in FS then RW should be a snap with a little practice. Same as learning to fly the pattern in FS. It is definitely easer in RW flying.

Don R