David Young
Technical Subject Areas
1. Subject – Scanning and Collision Avoidance.
2. Introduction – VFR flying can be absolutely thrilling, but it carries with it much
responsibility. As you are not in constant ATC contact, it is important that you develop
good traffic scans and that you are well-versed in collision avoidance procedures.
3. Outline –
a. Discuss collision avoidance on the ramp and during taxi.
b. Discuss runway incursions.
c. Discuss converging aircraft right of way rules.
d. Clearing the area.
e. Discuss day scanning techniques.
f. Discuss night scanning techniques.
g. Discuss converging at navigation aids.
4. Contents –
Collision Avoidance on the Ramp and During Taxi:
a. To prevent any sort of mishap on the ramp, be sure to clear the area before
starting the engine(s).
i. Turn on some sort of anti-collision light prior to engine start.
ii. This means to visually scan around the aircraft along with yelling “Clear
prop!”
b. While taxiing, it is important to verbalize “Clear left” and “Clear right” when
coming to any sort of intersection.
i. This will prevent any collision with converging aircraft, vehicles, or
personnel.
c. If you are unsure of your taxi clearance, call ground control for clarification.
Runway Incursions:
d. Runway incursions usually happen because of miscommunication or a lack of
situational awareness.
e. When taxiing up to the runway, it is important to verbalize “Clear on the approach
end” and “Clear on the departure end” in order to verify that there is no
conflicting traffic.
f. Wait until you are cleared for takeoff to begin the takeoff roll if at a towered field,
otherwise announce your intentions once you have determined that a safe takeoff
can be made.
g. When landing, be sure that you are entering the appropriate traffic pattern for the
appropriate runway. Stick to the standard entry for a non-towered airport, and
obey the tower’s instructions at a towered one.
Young 2, VIII-C
h. If you must go around for any reason, first fly the plane, execute the appropriate
checklists, and then communicate over the radios.
i. If you feel any of the commands you are issued by air traffic control will risk
either your safety or the safety of the other persons or property, alert ATC
immediately.
Converging Aircraft Right of Way Rules:
j. If you spot another aircraft that is coming straight towards you, both aircraft are to
turn to the right to avoid one another.
k. If you spot another aircraft that is converging with you from another direction, the
plane to the other’s right has the right of way.
l. When passing an aircraft, the aircraft that is being passed has the right of way,
and it should be passed to its right.
m. Most aircraft accidents happen within 25 NM of an airport in VFR conditions.
Clearing the Area:
n. Before performing any maneuver, you should always clear the area.
o. Clearing the area consists of at least two 90º turns to visually look for traffic in
the surrounding area.
p. If the maneuver will require the aircraft to travel in a heading reciprocal to your
entry heading, be sure to clear the area behind you.
Day Scanning Techniques:
q. When looking for traffic in the air during the day, it is best to scan the sky in ten
degree increments.
r. Look directly at where you are scanning to have the best results.
s. If the airplane seems to have no relative motion with respect to you, you are
probably on a collision course, and appropriate evasive actions should be taken.
t. Remember to move your head around in order to see around the different parts of
your aircraft which may obstruct your view.
Night Scanning Techniques:
u. Instead of looking right at where you are scanning, look out of the corner of your
eye, as the rods of your eyes are most heavily concentrated in your peripheral.
v. Avoid any bright lights for 30 minutes before your flight.
Converging at Navigation Aids:
w. When converging on a VOR or NDB, be especially cautious for other traffic that
may be converging on the same location, but from a different direction.
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5. Evaluation –
a. The student can explain how to avoid collisions on the ramp and taxi.
b. The student can explain how to avoid runway incursions.
c. The student can explain right of way rules.
d. The student can explain how to clear the area.
e. The student can explain day scanning techniques.
f. The student can explain night scanning techniques.
g. The student can explain what to do when converging at navigation aids.
6. References –
a. PHAK, Ch. 14
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