how close is a "close call"

**okctimbo** · 09-19-2009, 10:15 AM

just exactly how close is really considered a close call to a mid air collision in the real world,,cause i got tons of traffic at 12,000 ft, its just a thought as i approach chicago-ohara, i know it is one of the busiest airports in the world with way to many planes and not enough space but just how close does a real pilot get to another plane without soiling his pants? lmao its not a real-life problem,its just happening in my fantasy flight, but just a thought,any comments?

**airkevin** · 09-19-2009, 10:35 AM

If your TCAS turns orange, you should be on alert, and if your TCAS turns red, that would be a good time to panic and get out of the way fast.

**RAULDK** · 09-19-2009, 10:39 AM

What is a tcas?

**Brasilia Nick** · 09-19-2009, 10:40 AM

if I can see the people looking at me through the windows of the other plane, I might be a tad close.

**Brasilia Nick** · 09-19-2009, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by RAULDK

What is a tcas?

traffic collision avoidence system. Some planes have a built in tcas which will show you where planes are in relation to you, how close and altitude distance from you. It helps you know when other planes are near you. Real life doesnt have the airplane tags that fsx allows you to turn on if so wanted.

**okctimbo** · 09-19-2009, 12:17 PM

yep..if i could see the other pilot[s] face,and his eyes are wide open like mine[and his jeans kinda dirty] ,that is definitely way to close, lol, i appreciated all replies,ive really got settings changed way to much air-traffic [it's a eye candy thing],im gonna have to go back to default, however back to topic,with the other airports in vicinity i guess thats what caused all the close calls,also with all other traffic,its very hard to get a word with atc,dang talkative pilots, i was within a mile or so of other planes and was thinkin that was very close, allthough ive had a ms flight simulator for numerous additions,but its been years since i got to play with it and very cool what microsoft has done with this version, heck im still trying to find a you-tube tutorial on how to ils land one of these big birds,,, always let the number off landings equal the number of take offs,lol

**pilotwings** · 09-19-2009, 10:28 PM

Well, I'm an ATC in Canada

Something that is worth saying " now that was close !" is something like clearing an aircraft to land as the one in from is rolling... slowly... and having the landing aircraft cross the threshold just as the departing one is rotating...

Or if, when passing VFR traffic info, the two pilots call " negative visual " and those two cross with less than 500 feet vertical and/or less than 1/4 mile horizontaly... ( we say, in ATC talk, that the targets (i.e. radar blips) touch each other )...

or let's say that a student-flown Cessna cuts in front of an airliner on final, now that gets your attention !

In a general way, a close call is a situation that gets your voice a little higher pitched, you get off the chair and everyone in the tower stops talking and looks at the Radar or out the windows... now you know it was darn close...

Pilotwings

**J.Loh** · 09-20-2009, 02:02 AM

Another is when tower starts begging and shouting you with Explectives to get off the rwy

**Petrolhead** · 09-20-2009, 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by pilotwings

Well, I'm an ATC in Canada

Something that is worth saying " now that was close !" is something like clearing an aircraft to land as the one in from is rolling... slowly... and having the landing aircraft cross the threshold just as the departing one is rotating...

Or if, when passing VFR traffic info, the two pilots call " negative visual " and those two cross with less than 500 feet vertical and/or less than 1/4 mile horizontaly... ( we say, in ATC talk, that the targets (i.e. radar blips) touch each other )...

or let's say that a student-flown Cessna cuts in front of an airliner on final, now that gets your attention !

In a general way, a close call is a situation that gets your voice a little higher pitched, you get off the chair and everyone in the tower stops talking and looks at the Radar or out the windows... now you know it was darn close...

Pilotwings

Heeheehee. I could just visualize this stuff. Thanks for sharing with us.

**zon756** · 09-21-2009, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by RAULDK

What is a tcas?

traffic collision avoidance system...its basicly your computer on the look out for anyone nearby and/or comming for you...warrning you and telling you what to do ie. go up down...GoOgLe it

..wiki the best source