Figure 3-1 See And Avoid Doctrine

CHAPTER THREE

T-6A CONTACT

302.

SEE AND AVOID DOCTRINE

A sharp lookout for other aircraft must be maintained at all times to avoid the possibility of

collision, especially in the training environment. This doctrine is your best defense against a

midair collision. It is imperative you not only divide attention between controlling the aircraft by

outside visual references and flight instruments, but be observant for other aircraft. For visual

flight, your scan should be directed outside the cockpit at least 80% of the time! Furthermore,

correctly determining attitude in relation to the visible horizon keeps your eyes outside the

aircraft and aids in clearing. Avoid getting fixated or head down in the cockpit.

Statistics taken from the April 1983 Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association's Air Foundation

Safety Report reveal some interesting points concerning midair collisions. Nearly all midair

collisions occur during daylight hours in visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Most midairs

occur within five miles of an airport, in the areas of greatest traffic concentration, and usually on

warm weekend days. Closing speed (rate at which two aircraft come together) often is relatively

slow, usually much slower than the airspeed of either mishap aircraft. The majority of midair

collisions are the result of a faster aircraft overtaking and striking a slower one.

The report also revealed some interesting information regarding vulnerabilities of the human eye.

The eye, and consequently vision, is vulnerable to just about everything (i.e. dust, fatigue,

emotion, germs, fallen eyelashes, age, optical illusions, and residual alcoholic content).

Atmospheric conditions, sunlight, windscreen distortion, too much/too little oxygen,

acceleration, glare, heat, lighting, and aircraft design all affect our vision.

Another focusing problem occurs on drab, hazy days when no distinct horizon is visible. If there

is little or nothing to focus on, we do not focus at all. We experience something known as

empty-field myopia; we stare but see nothing, even opposing traffic. Compounding our clearing

shortcomings is the fact that at a distance, an aircraft on a collision course will appear to be

motionless. It will remain in a seemingly stationary position, without appearing to move or grow

in size for a relatively long time and then suddenly bloom into a huge mass filling the canopy.

This is known as blossom effect. We need motion or contrast to attract our eyes' attention.

Figure 3-1 See And Avoid Doctrine

3-2

FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS