Comments on: Visual Distractions Still Affect Flight Safety

By: Paul Cox

Paul Cox — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:39:18 +0000

Controllers notice all of the things you mention, and more; phraseology and basic radio communication procedures have gone from “mediocre” to “horrible” over the past decade or so.

Let’s take one of the most basic things- a response to when a controller issues a traffic advisory to an a/c.

I would be willing to bet my next paycheck that over half of the time, I do NOT get one of the two proper responses to a traffic call.

(For those who’re searching their memory, the two responses are either “Traffic in sight” or “Negative contact”.)

What’s wrong with the casual things like “I’m looking for him” or “got him on the fish finder” (from those TCAS-equipped a/c) or things like that?

It’s not standard phraseology. There’s reasons we HAVE standard phraseology. And if a pilot can’t get the basic stuff down, well…

By: Visual distractions outside (and inside) the aircraft — Golf Hotel Whiskey

Visual distractions outside (and inside) the aircraft — Golf Hotel Whiskey — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:33:17 +0000

[...] Spangler has recently posted a very interesting entry (entitled Visual Distractions Still Affect Flight Safety) on Jetwhine that is well worth reading by every pilot – and not just by pilots who fly in areas [...]

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:46:00 +0000

Automation Complacency can be a big problem. Little airplane or big. I tell my A-330 students that “if you’re working for the automation, instead of it working for you… turn it off, and make the airplane do what you want it to do. You can turn it back on 10 seconds later if you want”

By: Roy Evans II

Roy Evans II — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:31:25 +0000

With the advance of technology in regards to cockpit displays and traffic monitoring systems, I’ve noticed a more “heads-down” trend in both GA and Part 121 flying. Even with the automation off, pilots are focusing too much on their displays and not what is happening outside the window. A quick review of the visual cues available through the windscreen might remind a pilot that to know whether or not s/he is on glideslope and/or speed you can use more than just a HSI and an airspeed indicator.