President's Position: ‘Traffic, 12 o’clock’

Alarmed but fascinated at the same time, I quickly changed course and looked at the illuminated panel before me. Within seconds, I spotted the traffic inbound for landing, now several hundred feet below me. Three miles east, the pilot of a small Cessna was practicing maneuvers; and I got a glimpse of what was likely a commercial airliner enjoying a brisk tailwind at FL200. As I continued to fly, I was stunned by the scores of aircraft zipping through my selected five-mile radius.

Transmitting position, altitude, speed, and intended flight track, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) has made significant contributions to general aviation safety, and has transformed our situational awareness as pilots. To this day, I’m still amazed at the accuracy and sophisticated technology behind ADS-B and the FAA’s Next Generation Air Transportation System.

So far, nearly 59,000 fixed-wing general aviation aircraft have been equipped with ADS-B Out ahead of the January 2, 2020, mandate, and it’s paying off for safety. Aircraft equipped with both ADS-B Out and the optional ADS-B In can take advantage of traffic and weather services, and a recent study found a 53-percent reduction in the likelihood of an accident for aircraft equipped with ADS-B In. It also found the likelihood of a fatal accident decreased by 89 percent for aircraft using the technology.

But it’s not just ADS-B that has transformed our safety culture. New, ambitious safety devices are constantly being introduced (see “Safety Logic,” p. 66). All this new equipment gives pilots peace of mind when taking to the skies, especially as our national airspace system continues to become more congested.

Despite advanced technology, avionics, and electronics, we must remain vigilant.As we’ve progressed into the modern age, we’ve ditched handheld mics and tinny ceiling-mount speakers for modern headsets. Unless you’re a nostalgist or a student pilot, few of us continue to fly with sectional charts sprawled out across our laps, instead favoring innovative navigation apps and the convenience of GPS.

Even major manufacturers have made significant headway with safety features. Take industry leader Cirrus with its Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) equipped on all its aircraft—even the 6,000-pound Vision Jet. The airframe parachute is perhaps one of the most impressive innovations in more than a half-century of general aviation, having saved around 400 lives. Its popularity will likely continue to grow.

Thanks to the introduction of non-TSO avionics, pilots can choose capable, relatively low-cost options that increase safety and save them money. AOPA was pivotal in working with the FAA and manufacturers on certification changes to bring modern equipment to the legacy fleet of GA aircraft. Now, pilots can benefit from the reliability, situational awareness, and workload savings of new solid-state flight displays and autopilots.

Despite advanced technology, avionics, and electronics, we must remember to remain vigilant and understand that aeronautical decision making always lies with the pilot in command. That’s where the AOPA Air Safety Institute (ASI) comes in. As the worldwide leader in GA safety education, with its free educational resources and seminars all across the country, ASI aims to improve safety, reduce the fatal accident rate, and grow the pilot population.

No matter your skill level, all pilots can benefit from ASI’s safety-related content, including its in-person seminars, podcasts, online courses, and multitude YouTube videos, including the very popular Accident Case Study series, ASI Safety Tips, and Ask ATC.

One of ASI’s most recent additions to its library of safety materials is the Focused Flight Review, which gives pilots an opportunity to sharpen their skills, proficiency, and knowledge through flight scenarios. Built into each scenario are ways to improve fundamental stick and rudder skills, decision making, understanding of aircraft operating envelopes, technologies, aircraft performance capabilities, and loss-of-control avoidance.

Whether you’re a student pilot behind the controls of a Cessna 152 or a 20,000-hour captain of a Boeing 747, a good pilot is always learning. Remarkable advances in flight deck technology and safety-enhancing equipment have significantly improved our situational awareness. But there will always be a place for a well-trained pilot. After all, the most important thing is to “fly the airplane.” Aviate. Navigate. Communicate.

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