Scared of mid-airs

On Fri, 05 May 2006 19:09:54 GMT, B A R R Y
wrote in ::

Larry Dighera wrote:
On Fri, 05 May 2006 17:40:18 GMT, B A R R Y
wrote in ::

Do you ask for traffic advisories or VFR flight following from ATC?

I do on EVERY flight at an altitude that permits ATC to provide Radar
Traffic Advisory Service.


Same here, hence my asking... G

I've been told by controllers that even they prefer that we ask for
advisories, 'cause that makes one more aircraft talking to them and not
squawking 1200 and flying in the space incommunicato.

I even use them for sightseeing and practice (stalls, steep turns,
etc...) flights. Only once have I been denied due to workload.

Watch out with that heretical stance least the true believers in the
Big Sky Theory characterize you a heathen. :-)

I mean, what are the probabilities of hitting someone?

How easy is it really to see another AC once it get's closer than normal?
I'm thinking if it getæs real close it will be rather obvious, since most
traffic I'm able to spot now is 1-2 nm away, and look really small and
hard to see.


I was recently on a flight from Orlando to Nashville. About 50 minutes into
the flight we did some rather interesting banking (especially to be at 30k
ft). It wasn't the normal course correction stuff, it was full power
banking to the left at 30deg. After we leveled off I saw what looked like a
Citation shoot down our right wing in the opposite direction at no more than
1/2 a mile (which, in my understanding, would be much closer that Class A
seperation allows for). We landed with no troubles and nothing was ever
said.

So, I guess that doesn't help your fears, but know that even the big boys do
it sometimes.

jf