What's the best way to spot other aircraft in the sky?

If your eyes are focused on someting inside the airplane and you look up, you will not be able to identify much that is far away. To force the eyes to focus far enough away for you to spot another airplane, look at the ground, and then follow it out to the horizon. At that point, you are focused properly and can begin scanning for aircraft. If you don't pick up traffic that is called by ATC, try looking back at the ground and then up again, forcing the eyes to adjust focus.

Remember, it is easier to spot traffic that is moving relative to your airplane, i.e., going faster or slower, climbing above or descending below. The dangerous one though is the little dot that never moves position relative to you, but just gets bigger. That aircraft is on a collision course with you. If its moving (relative to you), you probably couldn't hit it if you tried.

 

Very good advice from an old pro. I recall a placard displayed on the instrument panel of a plane flown by a navy pilot who survived a long dive bombing career in WW2. " FOREVER VIGILANT OR FOREVER ASLEEP" . Announcing your location and what you intend to do is a good habit in heavy traffic.

 

. . .unless you are doing dive bombing runs in a war zone, of course

 

Inless you fly an airplane with a clear glass canopy - you have to move your head when scanning for traffic. The dangerous little dot that doesn't move could very well be behind that pillar that blocks your vision if you don't lean up and look around it.

 

Roy, you bring back memories of B-17 days when a dot or spot of dirt on the uncleaned windshield could turn out to be an FW-190. Same holds true today except it might be something other than an FW-190
Switches

 

Like a 787 on base for a visual approach!

 

Hmmmm,
Yes, like a Newbie,, trying to spot the airplane ATC has said is at his altitude, and can't..... Heh heh!

Try this. Go up with another pilot or two. For every plane he/she spots before you,
give them a ten dollar bill... keep this contest going, for a few days....

Then see how quickly you learn how. .........It's called motivation.

Rather lose a few tens, ($$$$$) .... than taking a chance on maybe losing a life.

 

Just another thought....

When was your last eye exam??
more than a year?


IT'S TIME for another.

Yeah..... I wear glasses.......... too!

 

Remember in his biography? He claims to focus out to infinity then refocus back *cough and say bull**** at same time*.

Just remember that the vector he gives you is from your track, not your heading. Account for your WCA when you first look. Scanning outside takes a lot of practice. You should scan a broad area in the general direction first rather than focusing exactly where he directs you.

While you are learning, keep you eyes outside a lot and try to find any aircraft. This will hone your recognition skills.

 

When I was actively flying I didn't see a lot of the traffic that was called out. I actually liked flying at night better, because I could see the traffic.

Don't be shy about calling back to ground if you don't see the traffic.