Scared of mid-airs

On Sun, 30 Jul 2006 21:04:46 GMT, Larry Dighera
wrote:

On 30 Jul 2006 12:01:10 -0700, wrote in
s.com::

Larry Dighera wrote:
On Sun, 30 Jul 2006 11:35:46 -0500, "Jim Macklin"
wrote in
sm5zg.84645$ZW3.36876@dukeread04::

To me, if the military is going to train at high-speed in joint use
airspace in the same sky as civil aircraft (most all of which are
equipped with Mode C transponders), it would be prudent for those
aircraft to be TCAS equipped. But, I suppose we'll have to wait for
more military/civil midair collisions before anything is done about,
if then.

Larry, how about once getting your facts straight?

I try, but it's difficult for a civilian to get information on
military aircraft.

That's what we've been trying to point out to you. You don't know what
you are talking about. Lacking information on systems, training,
procedures, responsibilities, attitudes, etc. you are simply asserting
an unfounded opinion.

All current production US fighters (and most operational ones -
except A-10s, early F-16s, and early F-18s) have transponder
interrogators perfectly capable of detecting Mode 3/C transponders,
using any squawk.

Thank you for this information. Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be
the entire story.

You following cut/paste doesn't have squat to do with what was said.

On Wed, 20 Jun 2001 04:20:45 GMT, "Lego"
wrote:

Wait, your source is "Lego" at earthlink????

Interpreting the scope is a different matter (see above post). It
requires a great deal of training and targets can be missed.

OF course it requires a great deal of training! That's why folks who
get to drive the expensive iron get so much training.

(especially slow moving low flying aircraft for which the
radar isn't optimized)

You don't seem to get the concept of pulse doppler radar. Low-flying
aircraft are just as visible today as high flyers. The old days of
lost in ground clutter went away more than 25 years ago.

The radar isn't magic... it isn't like a
video game.

Smartest thing you said this year. It isn't a video game. It's a
complex weapon system.

The radar will sweep until ...

....until the operator selects "stand-by" or "off".

1- The air to ground
radar is selected. This is used to update the system.

"Lego" apparently doesn't know that the radar will still sweep in A/G
modes. It will "update" if an update mode is selected for weapons or
nav by the operator. Changing from A/G to A/A modes doesn't usually
impact system updates.

2 - A
visual fix is being updated .

Updating nav visually will have nothing to do with radar sweeping or
not. "Lego" seems out to lunch again.

We don't fly in air to ground mode
as it is worthless unless you are updating your system or doing
some kind of weapon employment.

Typically a tactical aircraft will be maneuvering in an A/A mode. The
A/G modes will be employed for low-level nav routes, for A/G weapons
delivery, or for long range mapping as a verification of position or
route guidance. A/G modes would be used for nav system (INS) update.
Anyone who says A/G modes are worthless sounds like they are not
familiar with the weapons system.

It is a fact that the radar is
always on. Ask any F-16 pilot

Profound!

In the four military/civil MACs at the links below, you'll find no
mention of military radar use for traffic deconfliction.

This is the second posting of the list in this thread. You're becoming
repititous and redundant. The last time and this time, the links were
not relevant to the point being addressed.

Most also have PD radars that can easily detect conflicting traffic over a
120 degree cone in front - at low altitude.

While the aircraft may be so equipped, is the radar to which you refer
required to be used for _collision_avoidance_ during the time military
aircraft are operating in joint use airspace? Can you cite a
regulation that so mandates it?

Common sense, rather than regulations, mandates that the operator use
every method at his/her disposal to deconflict the flight path.
Situational awareness requires you to make your best effort to know
the disposition of all of the player which might influence your
flight. This isn't TCAS. It isn't meant to be.

And AWACS can see both.

Both, transponders and targets?

Another admission of cluelessness? Two in one post? YES! BOTH!

How common is it for AWACS to be employed for MTR training flights?

Not common at all. The reason being that ATC and military approach
control facilities are available. AWACS is used to control battle
zones where full ground environment control is not available. Do you
feel you might learn something here?

So what is your problem, other than a pathological hatred of the
military?

I have absolutely no enmity toward military pilots; in fact I respect
them for their bravery and skill.

The source of my concern is strictly a matter of self preservation.

Then look out the window. Use common sense. Fly 20-30 hours per month
in day, night and weather conditions.

Military fighter aircraft pilots have little physical harm to fear
from colliding with a typical GA aircraft due to the weight and speed
differential as well as a much more robust airframe and ejection seat
to provide them with a safe landing.

Bull****! A mid-air in a high performance aircraft isn't a dented
fender. An ejection isn't a "safe" procedure and jettisoning a $50
million dollar aircraft, particularly in a populated area is not done
lightly.

The GA pilot is like a
fluttering moth poised hovering above the rush hour traffic in such a
situation.

Not very wise of the fluttering moth to be in such a precarious
situation. Seems like the moth should take some personal
responsibility.

His chances of survival in a collision are slight at best.
I have to share the sky with the military, and their military/civil
MAC record isn't as good as one would expect.

How many mid-air collisions per year does the military have? You've
repeatedly cited four, but let's go back over 25 years. How many? How
many were with your fluttering moths? Oh, not many, heh.

I flew fighters for 23 years in combat, in training, in Asia, Europe
and the US. I never had a mid-air. No one in my squadron ever had a
mid-air. No one in my wing ever had a mid-air. I know of one mid-air
at a base where I was located. It took place in 1967 and was between
an F-5A and an F-5B in an A/A engagement.

Please take the time to objectively research these mishaps, and see if
you don't begin to understand my point of view:

Civil aircraft to the right of military aircraft:
http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?e...26X00109&key=1

F-16s lacked required ATC clearance:
http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?e...12X22313&key=1

A6 pilot expected to exit MTR eight minutes after route closu
http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?e...11X12242&key=1

A6 hit glider that had right of way:
http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?e...13X33340&key=1


You seem to think military aviators are oblivious to the
threat of mid-airs.

I believe their commanders do not appreciate the hazard to the public
their high-speed, low-level operations pose to civil aviation.

Commanders of flying units actively fly the aircraft with the members
of their unit. They rise to command after years in the profession. If
you believe they "do not appreciate the hazard" you once again
demonstrate that you don't have a clue.


And I
think their safety procedures lack due prudence.

Have you attended a military flying safety course? A flying safety
meeting? Know a flying safety officer? Seen a local procedures manual?
Sat through an operational training course? Have you done any similar
things as a civilian pilot--they are generally non-existant. What you
"think" is irrelevant and unencumbered by facts.

But what I find most
troubling is the lack of consequences a military aviator faces as a
result of carelessness, incompetence, recklessness, and regulation
violations.

A detailed investigation, an accident board and a corollary board,
plus possible court martial don't satisfy you? You can be troubled if
you want, but you're still an ignorant twit.

If the military pilot thinks he can disintegrate a civil
flight, punch out, and live to fly another day without loss of rank,
pay, or freedom, what incentive does he have to watch out for us
little guys with whom he shares the skies?

That is such an outrageous statement that I feel I would be taking
advantage of someone to point out its ridiculousness.

Newsflash, dude - they are much better trained,
more professional, and safer than any civilian bug-smasher driver - and
I've been on both sides.

I would expect nothing less.

Most civil aircraft are incapable of achieving any where near the
speed of military aircraft, so the same level of skill isn't required
of civil pilots. The cost of military aircraft is hundreds of times
more than the typical civil aircraft, so the pilots are not selected
as carefully.

I assume you left out "civilian" pilots are not selected as carefully.
The cost isn't the issue. The life or death consequences are the
issue.

And civil pilots are not screened and tested to the
same standards as military pilots. Thanks for the flash. :-(

If civilians read the NOTAMS, checked their charts (oh yeah - remember
those?), and did a little preflight planning, they could easily avoid
conflict with military traffic. But that would take some precious time
and effort, wouldn't it.

There are those civil airmen who do the things you suggest, and there
are those who are negligent, but none of those actions would have
prevented the for mishaps above.

The point being made was that there have been many more than four
instances of civilian errors leading to mishaps with military
aircraft. You don't seem as upset by them.

And it is completely unreasonable and negligent for the FAA to expect
a Cessna 172 pilot to have adequate time to search his windscreen for
conflicting traffic, identify it, and take effective evasive action
when the closing speed is in excess of 500 knots.

Yet, unreasonable and negligent or not that is EXACTLY what the FAA
requires you to do. Unfair, but if you don't like it stay on the
ground.

Further, the inequity in expecting the civil pilot to evade the hazard
caused by high-speed, low-level military operations is unjust. The
military should be _solely_ responsible for the hazards they create.

Anyone who causes a mid-air is responsible. Assigning "sole"
responsibility indicates you live in some sort of fantasy world. You
can't be irresponsible on your side of the equation.

How about getting civilian pilots to stay current, not fly in IMC
without a clearance or training, and maintain their aircraft to minimum
levels of safety - then you would possibly see a decrease in GA
accidents and fatalities.

You can attempt to steer the discussion toward civil airman
incompetence, but this message thread is about MACs.

Kirk
2000 hrs in F-4s
100 hours in AWACS
600 hours in ASEL
2000 hours in gliders

I'm impressed by those numbers, but not by your attitude.

And, I've not seen any numbers of yours and I'm sick and tired of your
attitude.

I would expect to see some true safety consciousness, and remorse for
the carnage and destruction of civil pilots and aircraft caused by
military/civil mishaps. Oh well...

Carnage and destruction my ass. Get over it. Look out the window. If
you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Flying is inherently
dangerous. That's what makes it so thrilling.


Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
"When Thunder Rolled"
www.thunderchief.org
www.thundertales.blogspot.com