I didn't hit the bonanza precisely because I did see and avoid him. I call
all my positions and listen for others, too.
One has to look out for oneself. Combining visual and aural vigilance is
one way to do this. Unfortunately, there's an attitude out there among some
pilots, especially old timers, that "I don't have to talk to anybody, I've
been doing this for years, I know what I'm doing" etc. Sometimes it catches
up with you.

Thanks for your reaction

"Robert Henry" wrote in message
news:hqzOb.3721$_H5.2989@lakeread06...
gatorcog" wrote in message
ink.net...


I almost hit a bonanza last year on the downwind at CLW that didn't call
his
position - an all too common problem.


The 'all too common problem' here is relying upon someone else (i.e., the
other pilot, ATC, ad infinitum)... for safety, traffic avoidance, proper
maintenance, whatever.

According to your statement, an accident almost happened because someone
ELSE failed to do something. Excuse me for reacting, but that's not how
the
system works!

Having done it myself, I submit that such thinking IS the most
considerable
factor in the GA accident rate.


Using the NTSB report for the Caldwell, NJ midair from 11/2002 almost
totally verbatim, here's what your accident report might have said:

"The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s)
of this accident as follows:

The inadequate visual lookout of both pilots. Factors in the accident was
the [Bonanza pilot's] failure to provide a traffic advisory, ...."



"Loving _________, thought someone else would ...______ [make a position
report]."

We are PIC. Be the PIC and never let go for a second.

--

Bob
PP-ASEL-IA, A/IGI