Jack wrote:
After 20,000+ hours of civilian and military flying, given the number
of times that I have not seen an aircraft until he is _no longer_ a
threat, I have decided that there are probably few, if any, days when
we see all of the traffic in our area throughout the flight.

If we all knew how much traffic we miss, we'd work a lot harder to see
and avoid, and to be seen and avoided.

Given how much traffic I see within 4 miles of an airport vs. how much I see
during random flight paths away from airports, combined with the midair
accident statistics and my own close calls, I have some conclusions.

I'm very attentive (looking outside) at "D" towered airports.
I fly enroute below 3000 AGL at "off" altitudes (2700, 2340, etc),
except when overflying airports.
I avoid overflying navaids (VORs) and airports, often diverting 5+
miles away/around them.
If I notice an airplane, I immediately assume there are more nearby.
I don't fly in glider gaggles or contests as I don't have the avoidance
skills necessary to feel comfortable.
I only fly near the same thermal/ridge with other gliders if it is exactly
one other glider, or I have two people on board (one as lookout).

Those very experienced in gaggles have different standards, but this
has worked for me so far.




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Mark J. Boyd