Aircraft Avoiding Other Aircraft - Not As Safe As You Think.
Aircraft avoidance
Did you know that even though a pilot departing a airport with a tower the pilot really doesn't have much protection from other aircraft. Many instrument flight rules (IFR) pilots blindly take off into the blue skies thinking because they are on an IFR flight plan they are safe and have separation from other traffic from Air Traffic Control (ATC).
The FAA is not kidding when they say that when an IFR pilot can see they need to visually scan for other aircraft and see and avoid.
Lets use a Class D airport for example. The worst day for an IFR pilot to take off is when it is nice weather and clear. A tower controller will clear an IFR aircraft for departure and can clear them into VFR traffic that can be along their course. ATC has only responsibility to separate IFR traffic. The tower can even have radar in the tower but there is no requirement for the tower controller to monitor it or use it for radar separation.
The radar uses are intended to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the local control, or tower, position. They are not intended to provide radar services or benefits to pilots except as they may accrue through a more efficient tower operation.
The safest day for an IFR flight to depart is when the weather is poor with low clouds and poor visibility. On these days there should not be any VFR traffic and only IFR aircraft traffic and air traffic control (ATC) has to keep all IFR traffic separated.
My Experience
I had this happen to me. I was cleared for takeoff and on course. After takeoff I was radar contact by JAX Center and shortly after that our Traffic Collision avoidance System (TCAS) saved the day by alerting us to the VFR traffic that we could of hit if we didn't have TCAS.
JAX was of no help and the tower did not help even though the VFR aircraft was only a few miles north of the airport. When you are flying a jet in airport environments like this it can be tricky.
Nobody did anything wrong. The VFR aircraft was doing what they should do and we were doing what we were to do. We were loaded up by flying the aircraft, navigating, and doing checklists while also trying to look for traffic. These are the times we need ATC but yet they don't have to tells us about the VFR aircraft.
So TCAS helped us see this small aircraft we could of hit and saved the day. I really mean saved the day because if we did not see this aircraft we would of been very close to it or maybe even hit it. The interesting thing is that the FAA allows airlines to defer the TCAS when it is not working. They require that the aircraft have it, but because the airlines care more about keeping the aircraft making money the FAA allows the airline to defer the TCAS for a certain number of days. Doesn't make sense does it when I just told you that the TCAS probably prevented an aircraft collision that day.
When an aircraft has the TCAS deferred flying from an airport like JFK to ATL is actually safe. On this flight the aircraft will depart in a very controlled airspace called Class B and approach and land in Class B. During the flight the aircraft will be mostly in very controlled airspace where there is only IFR traffic which ATC has to keep separated.
The problem arises when smaller jet aircraft like at the CRJ 200 are operating into small uncontrolled airports or Class D airports where there are a lot of VFR traffic. The CRJ 200 also operates into large safer airports like JFK or ATL but it is the best aircraft to provide service to smaller airports like Brunswick, GA (BQK).
Next time I get an aircraft with a deferred TCAS, I will only take it to the larger airports. If I am scheduled to go to an airport like Brunswick, GA I will refuse the aircraft and only take one with TCAS.
My belief is that it will take an airline coming out of an airport without TCAS to hit a small VFR aircraft before the FAA will change the deferral method of the TCAS. If an airline hits a VFR aircraft at a small airport then the FAA will react like they always do and require TCAS when operating in and out of small airports served by airlines. The FAA does not think ahead they only react. The secured cockpit doors is one example, a reaction when many noticed flight deck intrusion was becoming a concern.
If you are a passenger that travels in and out of small airports you might want to write the FAA and the airline you fly on. Let them know that you realize that you fly out of a small airport and that you want to be as safe as you can. To be as safe as you can means having an operating TCAS system on the aircraft you fly.
I will give you an example statement and feel free to copy it into your email.
Statement:
I fly in and out of small airports with different airlines. I have learned that the airlines can defer the Traffic Collision avoidance system (TCAS) when it is not working. I realize how important this TCAS system is to helping airline pilots operating in an out of small airports to avoid small VFR aircraft. I now realize that ATC is not required to separate the IFR traffic from VFR traffic and sometimes TCAS helps to avoid collisions.
When flying in and out of small airports I would like the FAA to not allow the airlines to defer the TCAS system on airline aircraft. I feel this is an important piece of equipment to keeping me safe when flying in and out of small airports served by the airlines.
Contacts:
FAA 24-Hour Safety Hotline: 1-866-TELL-FAA (1-866-835-5322)
FAA Comment Form
Contact your local Flight Standards District Office
Conclusion:
You have heard it from an airline pilot. I feel this equipment saved the day or me and it bothers me that the FAA allows the airlines that fly in and out of small airports to defer the TCAS system. If it is a concern of the pilot that could be flying you in and out of small airports then it should concern you as a passenger.
Now that you know, let your voice be heard and make flying in and out of small airports safer.
Please forward this link to your friends and family who also travel. The more that voice their opinion the better chance this safety issue can be changed for the better.
Did you know that even though a pilot departing a airport with a tower the pilot really doesn't have much protection from other aircraft. Many instrument flight rules (IFR) pilots blindly take off into the blue skies thinking because they are on an IFR flight plan they are safe and have separation from other traffic from Air Traffic Control (ATC).
The FAA is not kidding when they say that when an IFR pilot can see they need to visually scan for other aircraft and see and avoid.
Lets use a Class D airport for example. The worst day for an IFR pilot to take off is when it is nice weather and clear. A tower controller will clear an IFR aircraft for departure and can clear them into VFR traffic that can be along their course. ATC has only responsibility to separate IFR traffic. The tower can even have radar in the tower but there is no requirement for the tower controller to monitor it or use it for radar separation.
The radar uses are intended to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the local control, or tower, position. They are not intended to provide radar services or benefits to pilots except as they may accrue through a more efficient tower operation.
The safest day for an IFR flight to depart is when the weather is poor with low clouds and poor visibility. On these days there should not be any VFR traffic and only IFR aircraft traffic and air traffic control (ATC) has to keep all IFR traffic separated.
My Experience
I had this happen to me. I was cleared for takeoff and on course. After takeoff I was radar contact by JAX Center and shortly after that our Traffic Collision avoidance System (TCAS) saved the day by alerting us to the VFR traffic that we could of hit if we didn't have TCAS.
JAX was of no help and the tower did not help even though the VFR aircraft was only a few miles north of the airport. When you are flying a jet in airport environments like this it can be tricky.
Nobody did anything wrong. The VFR aircraft was doing what they should do and we were doing what we were to do. We were loaded up by flying the aircraft, navigating, and doing checklists while also trying to look for traffic. These are the times we need ATC but yet they don't have to tells us about the VFR aircraft.
So TCAS helped us see this small aircraft we could of hit and saved the day. I really mean saved the day because if we did not see this aircraft we would of been very close to it or maybe even hit it. The interesting thing is that the FAA allows airlines to defer the TCAS when it is not working. They require that the aircraft have it, but because the airlines care more about keeping the aircraft making money the FAA allows the airline to defer the TCAS for a certain number of days. Doesn't make sense does it when I just told you that the TCAS probably prevented an aircraft collision that day.
When an aircraft has the TCAS deferred flying from an airport like JFK to ATL is actually safe. On this flight the aircraft will depart in a very controlled airspace called Class B and approach and land in Class B. During the flight the aircraft will be mostly in very controlled airspace where there is only IFR traffic which ATC has to keep separated.
The problem arises when smaller jet aircraft like at the CRJ 200 are operating into small uncontrolled airports or Class D airports where there are a lot of VFR traffic. The CRJ 200 also operates into large safer airports like JFK or ATL but it is the best aircraft to provide service to smaller airports like Brunswick, GA (BQK).
Next time I get an aircraft with a deferred TCAS, I will only take it to the larger airports. If I am scheduled to go to an airport like Brunswick, GA I will refuse the aircraft and only take one with TCAS.
My belief is that it will take an airline coming out of an airport without TCAS to hit a small VFR aircraft before the FAA will change the deferral method of the TCAS. If an airline hits a VFR aircraft at a small airport then the FAA will react like they always do and require TCAS when operating in and out of small airports served by airlines. The FAA does not think ahead they only react. The secured cockpit doors is one example, a reaction when many noticed flight deck intrusion was becoming a concern.
If you are a passenger that travels in and out of small airports you might want to write the FAA and the airline you fly on. Let them know that you realize that you fly out of a small airport and that you want to be as safe as you can. To be as safe as you can means having an operating TCAS system on the aircraft you fly.
I will give you an example statement and feel free to copy it into your email.
Statement:
I fly in and out of small airports with different airlines. I have learned that the airlines can defer the Traffic Collision avoidance system (TCAS) when it is not working. I realize how important this TCAS system is to helping airline pilots operating in an out of small airports to avoid small VFR aircraft. I now realize that ATC is not required to separate the IFR traffic from VFR traffic and sometimes TCAS helps to avoid collisions.
When flying in and out of small airports I would like the FAA to not allow the airlines to defer the TCAS system on airline aircraft. I feel this is an important piece of equipment to keeping me safe when flying in and out of small airports served by the airlines.
Contacts:
FAA 24-Hour Safety Hotline: 1-866-TELL-FAA (1-866-835-5322)
FAA Comment Form
Contact your local Flight Standards District Office
Conclusion:
You have heard it from an airline pilot. I feel this equipment saved the day or me and it bothers me that the FAA allows the airlines that fly in and out of small airports to defer the TCAS system. If it is a concern of the pilot that could be flying you in and out of small airports then it should concern you as a passenger.
Now that you know, let your voice be heard and make flying in and out of small airports safer.
Please forward this link to your friends and family who also travel. The more that voice their opinion the better chance this safety issue can be changed for the better.
posted by Jet Airline Pilot at 6:46 AM
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