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I think the idea is that the pilot, with sufficient information in a
sufficiently good display and interface, would be able to handle
separation (under IMC) as well as he could under VMC. If this is true
(and I'm not convinced that it is yet), then much of the need for the
IFR system would be eliminated.

I am aware that under high traffic conditions this breaks down (which is
presumably why we have alphabet airspace to begin with)

Jose
--
Get high on gasoline: fly an airplane.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

Jose wrote:

I think the idea is that the pilot, with sufficient information in a
sufficiently good display and interface, would be able to handle
separation (under IMC) as well as he could under VMC. If this is true
(and I'm not convinced that it is yet), then much of the need for the
IFR system would be eliminated.

I am aware that under high traffic conditions this breaks down (which is
presumably why we have alphabet airspace to begin with)

It's not just high traffic conditions. An airplane can seperate itself
from nearby airplanes but it doesn't have the ability to take into
account the whole system. A disabled aircraft on the runway at say LAX
riplles thru out the whole NAS.

It's not just high traffic conditions. An airplane can seperate itself from nearby airplanes but it doesn't have the ability to take into account the whole system. A disabled aircraft on the runway at say LAX riplles thru out the whole NAS.

Why? (serious question)

I suspect the answer involves a sea of airplanes each of which needs the
other to do something (such as clear the airspace) before -it- can do
something (such as enter it), and this has to do with IFR separation
requirements, which is (one reason) why bad weather can tie airspace in
knots, where as in good weather traffic is more resiliant.

If all air traffic were VFR, would a disabled aircraft at LAX impact the
whole NAS?

Jose
--
Get high on gasoline: fly an airplane.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

Jose wrote:
It's not just high traffic conditions. An airplane can seperate
itself from nearby airplanes but it doesn't have the ability to take
into account the whole system. A disabled aircraft on the runway at
say LAX riplles thru out the whole NAS.


Why? (serious question)

A 1/2 hour runway shutdown at a major hub means an instantaneous ground
stop for that airport. Too many airplanes all in the same space.



If all air traffic were VFR, would a disabled aircraft at LAX impact the
whole NAS?

Separation requirements don't really affect much. You can have 8 stacks
of 10 airplanes at 40, 50, 60, 70,..... miles from the airport.
Basically unlimited.