Scared of mid-airs

My instructor always told me to look for an object in the sky that does
not appear to be moving. If you see that, do something immediately,
because you are dead-on a collision course.

I've had what I consider close calls over the years, the most memorable
being when I saw an SR-22 dart across my field of view from right to
left very quickly. I immediately banked over to the right at a 45
degree angle and pulled hard to insure we'd pass behind the guy - he
appeared to do absolutely nothing.

Basically my theory is that mid-airs can only happen when both pilots
are inattentive, or neither can see the other due to a perfect
alignment obscuring both planes behind wings, struts, or what have you.
Since you seem to be overly cautious, I'd suggest that you have nothing
to worry about... but don't stop being as vigilant as you are - that's
exactly how I think one should approach flying... always be thinking
ahead of the plane, and that includes keeping up your visual see &
avoid scan.

--
Guy

On 4 May 2006 16:45:50 -0700, "Guy Elden Jr"
wrote in .com::

Basically my theory is that mid-airs can only happen when both pilots
are inattentive, or neither can see the other due to a perfect
alignment obscuring both planes behind wings, struts, or what have you.

Of course that theory fails to consider the closing speed of the
aircraft.

There was a military/civil MAC on November 16, 2000 in which an F-16
at about 500 knots impacted a C-172. Although the C-172 pilot was
banked 45 degrees away from the F-16 at the time of impact, it only
took one pilot not seeing the other to cause this MAC.

You can read about it he http://tinyurl.com/jzxhk

The F-16 pilot ejected, and the ATP rated Cessna pilot and his
aircraft were scattered over 4 acres of golf course. The flight lead
received a verbal reprimand despite violating several regulations such
as speeding through congested Class B and C terminal airspace without
a clearance, ...

Yes, I can speak from experience about the aircraft not moving in your
windscreen! I've been involved in a situation once where ATC pointed
out this other aircraft, "N12345, traffic 1 mile, 10:00, indicates 4500"
which happened to be MY altitude. I looked and saw it, was briefly
mesmerized and then nosed down as quickly as I could! I think we had
about 400-500 feet between us! Toooooo close for me! I'd always heard
about the "it doesn't move" theory, but to see it in practice was a good
thing to cement it in my brain...next time, a faster reaction! A
GREAT learning experience for me! It also cemented my belief in using
flight following even more firmly!

Chris G.



And, yes, all is well since I am still here to tell about it.

Guy Elden Jr wrote:
My instructor always told me to look for an object in the sky that does
not appear to be moving. If you see that, do something immediately,
because you are dead-on a collision course.