MIDAIR COLLISIONS ARE RARE-REPRESENTING about 10 accidents among 25 million general aviation flight hours flown per year-but try telling that to the people involved, or anyone who has ever witnessed a midair. Their rare status doesn't lessen midairs' terrible outcomes. Fortunately, we know from studying accident data where and when they're more likely to occur, and we can use that knowledge to reduce the risk of a collision. Statistically, midairs are more likely to occur within five nautical miles of an airport, in daylight visual flight rules conditions, and at or below 3,000 feet above ground level. This translates to approaching, flying in the pattern, or departing the pattern at an airport. When approaching or departing an airport, we must do whatever we can to see and be seen.
展开▼
