Spotting Traffic

Ron Lee wrote:

That assumes that this system will be around a while. Seems like it
or something like it is not long for this world so buying equipment to
use it may not be worth it.

The authors of _Aviation Consumer_ seem to disagree but no matter; I don't
really expect Paul to take my suggestion seriously anyway.


--
Peter

In a previous article, "Peter R." said:
Ron Lee wrote:
That assumes that this system will be around a while. Seems like it
or something like it is not long for this world so buying equipment to
use it may not be worth it.

The authors of _Aviation Consumer_ seem to disagree but no matter; I don't
really expect Paul to take my suggestion seriously anyway.

Not in a club plane, anyway.


--
Paul Tomblin http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
"If Bill Gates had a dime for every time a Windows box crashed...
..... Oh, wait a minute, he already does."

On Tue, 02 May 2006 08:17:26 -0400, Peter R. wrote:

Ron Lee wrote:

That assumes that this system will be around a while. Seems like it or
something like it is not long for this world so buying equipment to use
it may not be worth it.

The authors of _Aviation Consumer_ seem to disagree but no matter; I don't
really expect Paul to take my suggestion seriously anyway.

Where did AC write that TIS will be around for a while? It seems like the
Next Big Thing for traffic is ADS-B.

We're bouncing this around for our club aircraft now. TIS has wider
coverage today, but we're concerned about its longevity.

If we'd a failed transponder, the incremental cost for a mode S
transponder would be small enough that we'd do it. But to throw out a
perfectly good mode C transponder for something that will be replaced in a
relatively short time seems inefficient.

- Andrew

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.

On Mon, 01 May 2006 13:09:28 -0500, Wallace Berry
wrote in
::

I think the "isolation" of hearing protectors serves as a sort of
temporary distraction in it's own right.

Are you sure you're wearing your headset correctly. The cups are
meant to placed over your ears not over your eyes. :-)

In article ,
Larry Dighera wrote:

On Mon, 01 May 2006 13:09:28 -0500, Wallace Berry
wrote in
::

I think the "isolation" of hearing protectors serves as a sort of
temporary distraction in it's own right.

Are you sure you're wearing your headset correctly. The cups are
meant to placed over your ears not over your eyes. :-)


Dang! So that's the problem!

Wallace Berry wrote:


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 can't say I agree, especially about the sensory overload.

While my Beech Sundowner (Slowdowner G) dosen't have a bubble canopy,
it has excellent visibility everywhere but straight up, far better than
any single engine Piper or Cessna I've flown. The wing sits farther
back than a PA28, so I have nice visibility to the sides and below.
Since straight up and straight back aren't part of the typical scan, I
don't think I'd be better off with a bubble.

As far as the headset goes, my current ANR set is so comfortable, I can
doze off while my co-owner flies! G

Well, I hope this isn't too far OT, but which of those oft-advertised
portable traffic detectors are good/bad? Any opinions or pilot
reports? I'm tempted every time I read one of the ads, but just
haven't made the leap...yet. Are they truely of any help?

"john smith" wrote in message

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

Every flight.

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

About the same. I suspect that means I don't see half of what's out there.
As long as it's the half that's aft of my CG and they see me, I guess it's
not a problem. :

-c