MID-AIR COLLISION AVOIDANCE IN THE PATTERN

Acknowledgements: Thomas P. Turner (Mastery Flight Training Inc.)

“The recent rash of mid-air collisions (in the U.S.) reminds us that it’s not enough to expect other pilots to properly fly a traffic pattern (particularly a non-specified one), or even to look out for you. 

We need to raise our defensive shields to protect ourselves from other pilots who are compliant but in conflict, those who are accidently non-compliant with the traffic pattern, and even those pilots who are intentionally non-compliant with the rules and best practices of airport traffic area operations.

What are some things you can do to increase your situational awareness, and to detect other aircraft in the airport circuit? This week I’ll offer a reminder to see the big picture in the pattern.

In the pattern, your attention naturally focuses on the runway. We position the aircraft, time our turns, judge our speed and height, and even complete vital checklist actions.

Command ‘Shields Up!’ by consciously remembering to scan forward both into the pattern and beyond it, in almost equal amounts. 

On downwind, scan forward to detect aircraft on base and final approach. Look for movement on the ground as well, things that may venture onto the runway before you get there. 

As you turn base, deliberately scan ahead on base and on an extended final approach. Look at airplanes coming in from ahead, flying right base while you’re flying left or vice versa (correctly or not). Look for aircraft or other items on the runway too. People who fly with me hear me call out loud, “final approach is clear, backwards base is clear, the runway is clear, I’m clear to land.” 

On final, take a good look not only at the runway, but also anything on taxiways or near the runway which might taxi out just as you begin your flare. Don’t forget to scrutinise for airplanes ahead of you on final; if you’re both aiming for the same touchdown spot an aircraft ahead will be nearly motionless in your windscreen, very hard to see.

Be ready to go around at any time, manoeuvring to avoid conflicting traffic”.

FLY SAFE!