Lesson Plan: CFI 1

Objectives: Introduction to visual factors, particularly scanning to avoid collisions.

Elements:
 Visual scanning and collision avoidance introduction
 Be healthy
 See and avoid
 Illusions and degraders of visual reliability
 Visual scanning technique
 Clearing procedures
 Situations involving greatest collision risk
 Aircraft blind spots

Time:
 Ground lesson: 25 minutes
Instructor demonstration: throughout training
Student practice: throughout training
Post flight feedback: as necessary.

Instructor Actions:
 Ensure students understand the importance of being vigilant in flight, and
constantly being able to look out for traffic to avoid possible collision.

Student Actions:
 Actively participate, ask proper questions, being able to explain the
concepts back to the instructor.

Completion Standard: Student should be aware of the visual and vestibular illusions,
and should be able to explain the scanning techniques, as well as the “see
and avoid” concept.

Nicolò Pomarolli Phoenix East Aviation 5/15/21

Lesson Plan: CFI 2

Visual scanning and collision avoidance

Most in-air collisions happen on beautiful, VFR days. Flight instructors are on board in 37
percent of mid-airs. Why would that be? How can this be avoided?

Be healthy!

Vision is harmed by smoking, drugs, alcohol, oxygen deprivation, lack of vitamins. Also
being tired, degrades attention ability to look for possible outside hazards.

“See and avoid” concept!

See and avoid is a concept used when flying in VFR condition. In fact, under visual flight
rules, you should be able to look around for other traffic without the help of radar
services (even though of course, they are a big help). Pilots flying on IFR flights are
required to see and avoid other aircraft too! Take a look at FAR 91.113:

“When weather conditions permit, regardless of whether an operation is conducted

under instrument flight rules or visual flight rules, vigilance shall be maintained by each
person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft…”

“See and avoid” means constantly look outside for other traffic. It is your responsibility,
and also the law. Maintain situational awareness inside and outside the cockpit.

Illusions and degraders of visual reliability

1) Autokinesis: at night when a pilot stares at a light for a long period of time the
light begins to “move”. Pilots should not stare at stationary lights for long
periods of time during nighttime flight.
2) Haze: our eyes will tend to focus about 3 meters out without the pilot knowing
it, making it very difficult to detect other aircraft possibly on a collision course.
3) False horizons: pilot aligns himself with a sloping cloud, thinking it’s the horizon.
4) Featureless terrain: An absence of ground features when approaching over
water, darkened areas or snow can create an illusion that the airplane is higher
than its actual altitude. The result is to fly a dangerously low approach.
5) Empty field myopia: it’s a reaction of the human eye to having insufficient detail
in a field of view upon which to focus. The eyes tend to focus a few meter out.
6) Runway width: A narrower than usual runway can create the illusion that the
aircraft is higher than its actual altitude. The result can be a tendency to fly the
approach lower than a safe altitude. The opposite happens with a wider runway.
7) Runway slope: An up sloping runway and or surrounding terrain can create the
sensation of the airplane being higher than necessary. The result is a tendency to

Nicolò Pomarolli Phoenix East Aviation 5/15/21

Lesson Plan: CFI 3

fly a lower approach. A down sloping runway can create the opposite effect. This
presents the possibility of overshooting the runway.
8) Night, rain, sun in the eyes, dirty windshield.

Visual scanning technique

There is no one technique that is best for all pilots. The most important thing is for each
pilot to develop a scan that is both comfortable and workable. The more you look
outside, the less the risk of a collision.

Scan 60 degrees left and right of your flight path. A series of short, regularly-spaced eye
movements that bring successive areas of the sky into the central visual field. Each
movement should not exceed 10°, and each area should be observed for at least one
second to enable detection. 

Side-to-side scanning method

Start at the far left of your visual area and make a
methodical sweep to the right, pausing very briefly in
each block of the viewing area to focus your eyes.
At the end of the scan, return to and scan the
instrument panel and then repeat the external scan.

Front-to-side scanning method

Start in the centre block of your visual field (centre of
front windshield); move to the left, focusing very
briefly in each block, then swing quickly back to the
centre block after reaching the last block on the left
and repeat the action to the right.
Then, after scanning the instrument panel, repeat
the external scan.

Clearing procedures on situation involving the greatest collision risk

Clear at all times, but particularly in situations of risk:

1) Before taxi (avoid runway incursions);
2) Before takeoff when turning;
3) In descents and climbs, at all points in traffic patterns (dip wings both directions)
4) Over VORs;
5) Before maneuvers:

Nicolò Pomarolli Phoenix East Aviation 5/15/21

Lesson Plan: CFI 4

So…how do we clear the area?

1) Two 90 degrees clearing turns to the left and to the right.
2) Use proper radio procedures at and around airports.
3) Make position reports!

Aircraft blind spots: know where and how to look!

Every aircraft has blind spots, and they depend on the airplane itself:
1) Wings (low or high wings),
2) Windows;
3) Position of the flaps when extended (especially high wing),
4) Position of the engines.

Airplanes or parachutes jumpers may be located directly below or above the airplane,
and they will be hard to see! Clear your blind spots before you turn!

Nicolò Pomarolli Phoenix East Aviation 5/15/21