Airport Operations

High-wing and low-wing aircraft have their respective • Prevailing weather conditions including reduced blind spots. The pilot of a high-wing aircraft should visibility and the position of the sun. momentarily raise the wing in the direction of the intended • The attitude of the aircraft will create additional turn and look for traffic prior to commencing the turn. The blind spots. pilot of a low- wing aircraft should momentarily lower the • The physical limitations of the human eye, wing and look for traffic prior to commencing the turn. including the time required to (re)focus on near and far objects, from the instruments to the Training Operations horizon for example; empty field myopia, narrow Operators of pilot training programs are urged to adopt the field of vision and atmospheric lighting all affect following practices: our ability to detect another aircraft. • Pilots undergoing flight instruction at all levels Best practices to see and avoid: should be requested to verbalize clearing • ADS-B In is an effective system to help pilots see procedures (call out “clear” left, right, above, or and avoid other aircraft. If your aircraft is below) to instill and sustain the habit of vigilance equipped with ADS-B In, it is important to during maneuvering. understand its features and how to use it properly. • High-wing airplane. Momentarily raise the wing Many units provide visual and/or audio alerts to in the direction of the intended turn and look. supplement the system's traffic display. Pilots • Low-wing airplane. Momentarily lower the wing should incorporate the traffic display in their in the direction of the intended turn and look. normal traffic scan to provide awareness of • Appropriate clearing procedures should precede nearby aircraft. Prior to taxiing onto an airport the execution of all turns including chandelles, movement area, ADS-B In can provide advance lazy eights, stalls, slow flight, climbs, straight and indication of arriving aircraft and aircraft in the level, spins, and other combination maneuvers. traffic pattern. Systems that incorporate a traffic- alerting feature can help minimize the pilot's Scanning Techniques for Traffic Avoidance inclination to fixate on the display. Refer to 4-5- • Pilots must be aware of the limitations inherent in 7e, ADS-B Limitations. the visual scanning process. These limitations • Understand the limitations of ADS-B In. In may include: certain airspace, not all aircraft will be equipped • Reduced scan frequency due to concentration on with ADS-B Out or transponders and will not be flight instruments or tablets and distraction with visible on your ADS-B In display. passengers. • Limit the amount of time that you focus on flight • Blind spots related to high-wing and low-wing instruments or tablets. aircraft in addition to windshield posts and sun • Develop a strategic approach to scanning for visors. traffic. Scan the entire sky and try not to focus straight ahead. 14-30