In article
,
john smith wrote:

How often do you spot traffic without guidance from ATC when you are out
flying"

How often do you spot traffic called out to you by ATC?

On a recent trip, while flying a PA32-300, I never saw traffic that ATC
called out to me that passed within two miles and 1000 feet vertical
separation. This was a flight of two T-38's.

On my last trip in a C182S with Garmin330 transponder and MX-20 display,
I watch as the display showed traffic passing 1500 feet directly
overhead, but never was able to eyeball the traffic. Earlier in the
flight, I did locate an aircraft 700 feet below and inside a mile.

All of the above occurred during daylight, clear VFR.



For my tastes, most GA aircraft have poor visibility from the cockpit.
Small windows, wings blocking the view above or below and to one side or
the other in turns serve to block out a lot of the sky. Adding to this I
suspect that the relatively high level of noise (engine and radio) and
vibration in GA cockpits causes a sort of "sensory overload" that may
adversely affect the visual scan. The extent of the effect probably
varies quite a lot from person to person, relative levels of
distractions in different aircraft, and level of experience. Quieter
headsets may improve the situation, but I think the "isolation" of
hearing protectors serves as a sort of temporary distraction in it's own
right.

I know that I spot a lot more traffic when I'm flying my glider (bubble
canopy, wing behind me, no engine noise or vibration) than in my Cessna
(no rear or top window, view blocked by wing into turn). The fact that I
spend up to 30% of a glider flight turning no doubt improves my scan and
sets up more relative motion with respect to other aircraft.