Collision avoidance
Most midair collisions occur close to airfields. Several attributes can help glider, TMG, and tug pilots to avoid mid-air conflict, particularly during the circuit, approach, and landing:
Eyes – lookout for at least 80% of the time – and use a robust scanning technique, e.g ‘lookout, attitude, instruments’. Be aware that it is very tempting for pilots to spend most of their lookout time in the circuit focussed on the landing area. Maintaining a scan cycle that looks for potential threats is very important.
Ears – communicate by listening, and where appropriate, talking on the radio to enhance situational awareness. Clear and accurate circuit calls are valuable aids to others situational awareness. In addition to setting the correct frequency and volume, you will need to have a charged battery. Consider fitting freshly charged batteries at some point during a long day of club glider flying.
Advertise – make your presence known with FLARM. Again, you will need to have a charged battery.
Foresight – fly defensively, with vigilance, courtesy, and consideration for others (good airmanship!). Try to be predictable, particularly in the circuit and in thermals, on a ridge, etc. So called ‘hangar flights’ can present increased risk as they invariably result in an unusual circuit and unfamiliar landing area.
Insight – standard circuit and site-specific procedures are designed to assist situational awareness and provide orderly, well-spaced, non-conflicting movement of gliders and aircraft. Review your understanding of site-specific operations, airspace rules, rules of the air and procedures. Consider how you might modify your circuit if you encounter other traffic or obstructions in the landing area. Be aware of and follow the Soaring Protocol.
Prioritise – be organised with cockpit tasks to avoid distractions compromising your lookout.
Further guidance on the topic of collision avoidance is available here.