COLLISION AVOIDANCE

The pilot can contribute to collision avoidance by being alert and scanning for other aircraft. This is particularly important in the vicinity of an airport. Effective scanning is accomplished with a series of short, regularly spaced eye movements that bring successive areas of the sky into the central visual field.

Each movement should not exceed 10°, and each should be observed for at least 1 second to enable detection. Although back and forth eye movements seem preferred by most pilots, each pilot should develop a scanning pattern that is most comfortable and then adhere to it to assure optimum scanning. Even if entitled to the right-of-way, a pilot should give way if it is felt another aircraft is too close.

CLEARING PROCEDURES
The following procedures and considerations should assist a pilot in collision avoidance under various situations.

• Before Takeoff—Prior to taxiing onto a runway or landing area in preparation for takeoff, pilots should scan the approach area for possible landing traffic, executing appropriate maneuvers to provide a clear view of the approach areas.
• Climbs and Descents—During climbs and descents in flight conditions which permit visual detection of other traffic, pilots should execute gentle banks left and right at a frequency which permits continuous visual scanning of the airspace.
• Straight and Level—During sustained periods of straight-and-level flight, a pilot should execute appropriate clearing procedures at periodic intervals.
• Traffic Patterns—Entries into traffic patterns while descending should be avoided.
• Traffic at VOR Sites—Due to converging traffic, sustained vigilance should be maintained in the vicinity of VORs and intersections.
• Training Operations—Vigilance should be maintained and clearing turns should be made prior to a practice maneuver. During instruction, the pilot should be asked to verbalize the clearing procedures (call out "clear left, right, above, and below").

High-wing and low-wing aircraft have their respective blind spots. High-wing aircraft should momentarily raise their wing in the direction of the intended turn and look for traffic prior to commencing the turn. Lowwing aircraft should momentarily lower the wing.

RUNWAY INCURSION AVOIDANCE
It is important to give the same attention to operating on the surface as in other phases of flights. Proper planning can prevent runway incursions and the possibility of a ground collision. A pilot should be aware of the airplane's position on the surface at all times and be aware of other aircraft and vehicle operations on the airport. At times controlled airports can be busy and taxi instructions complex. In this situation it may be advisable to write down taxi instructions. The following are some practices to help prevent a runway incursion.

• Read back all runway crossing and/or hold instructions.
• Review airport layouts as part of preflight planning and before descending to land, and while taxiing as needed.
• Know airport signage.
• Review Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) for information on runway/taxiway closures and construction areas.
• Request progressive taxi instructions from ATC when unsure of the taxi route.
• Check for traffic before crossing any Runway Hold Line and before entering a taxiway.
• Turn on aircraft lights and the rotating beacon or strobe lights while taxing.
• When landing, clear the active runway as soon as possible, then wait for taxi instructions before further movement.
• Study and use proper phraseology in order to understand and respond to ground control instructions.
• Write down complex taxi instructions at unfamiliar airports.