AOPA ASI Blog: Leading Edge

I admit to being a little less enthusiastic when it comes to too much technology in light GA cockpits. We’ve discussed that new pilots get mesmerized learning glass when they need to learn basic airmanship. Those comments stand, but there are areas where technology is a significant improvement over humans, and we got a big reminder of it recently. New York air traffic controllers had a “deal” of monstrous proportions in January 2011 when an American Airlines Boeing 777 came within 10 wingtip lengths (2,000′) of colliding with an Air Force C-17 cargo jet at Flight Level 220.

The near midair collision (NMAC) occurred 88 miles east of New York City in some of the most highly congested airspace on the planet. Two controllers failed to communicate, and one did not stop the climb of the American jet despite being told to do so by the other controller. As in many aircraft accidents, distraction played a key role as one controller was dealing with another aircraft. The Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), that is required equipment on airline aircraft, sounded off, and the American jet made several evasive maneuvers over the course of a few seconds to avoid catastrophe. The NTSB investigated the incident.

What does this have to do with many of us flying light GA beneath Class A airspace? Last week, while approaching our home base from the west on an IFR flight plan, evasive action was needed to avoid VFR traffic maneuvering in the practice area that is about 15 miles west of the airport. The aircraft I was flying was G1000 -equipped, with a collision avoidance system. The target popped up literally two miles ahead, 12 o’clock, and at our altitude. The controller suddenly advised an immediate left turn—I had already disengaged the autopilot and was rapidly rolling left when the call came! Weather was hazy VFR, and we had just descended out of a 3,500′ broken deck, leveling at 3,000′.

This is not to bash ATC, because the traffic may not have immediately appeared on her scope either, but to support the fact that our avoidance systems, although they don’t necessarily meet airline standards, will spot more traffic more consistently than the so-called Mark-VIII eyeball. Heads-up and eyes-out is essential when near airports because that’s where the collisions occur, but I’ve had several instances where the technology prevented a close encounter or worse.

In my view, training aircraft could do without some of the Flight Management System gingerbread, but they sure could benefit from collision avoidance gear. CFIs and students spend much of their time in practice areas and in the traffic pattern, usually not with ATC assistance. A significant number of MACs involved training flights. Here is an area where the technology is not a distraction, and it is passive—i.e., it doesn’t require the pilot to do anything until an action is needed—that’s the best kind of equipment.

My hope is that the accuracy will increase and prices will continue to come down. Portable/ iPad-type devices need a healthy dose of this type of application—soon! It will save lives.

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 9th, 2012 at 8:54 am and is filed under Safety. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.