The average detection distance for a small single-engine aircraft was determined in a terminal area during daytime VFB. conditions. Pilots were exposed to actual midair collision situations by having another normally painted and equipped airplane approach on various collision courses. The separation distance between the two aircraft was recorded at the time the subject pilot detected the approaching airplane. Also, the pilot's reactions and performance were recorded as the two aircraft continued to converge.nTwenty-five private and business pilots volunteered their services for the study. Each pilot was required to fly three collision courses for a total of 75 test flights. Each collision course consisted of a different terminal area maneuver, The three maneuvers were: depar¬ture and climb-out, straight-in approach, and a right turn-in approach, During each maneuver, the target airplane was on a 90° converging course with the subject pilot's airplane, requiring a 45° left visual angle for the subject to detect the approaching target.
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