General Aviation Collision‐Avoidance Alternatives

Abstract

Midair collisions are often perceived as the number‐one safety issue in aviation. Though the actual incidence of such accidents is (thankfully) small, public perception of the problem, and the government's reaction to it, may threaten the very future of general aviation. Midair collisions are primarily a general aviation problem. Its solution starts with the review of accident statistics and nearmidair report data, an exploration of prior art, and an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of TCAS (Threat alert and Collision Avoidance System), the FAA's supplement to visual traffic avoidance. This paper contemplates the need for an “ideal” general aviation collision avoidance system—one which is selfcontained, noncooperative in nature (requiring no equipment in the “other” plane), transparent to the Air Traffic Control System, and fully compatible with TCAS and all other FAA proposals.