- Pilot should not hesitate to call and clarify another aircraft’s position and intentions.
- it is critical for pilots to broadcast and actively listen to the CTAF and maintain a vigilant lookout at all times.
Two aircraft proximity events at Ballarat Airport on the same day have reinforced the point that it is critical for pilots to broadcast and actively listen to the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) and maintain a vigilant lookout at all times to enhance traffic and situation awareness. This is particularly important in a high traffic density environment.
The two incidents on 4 August 2012 involved Cessna 172S aircraft on convergent headings arriving at the same time at the airport. Both incidents were sighted by observers on the ground. In both cases one of the two pilots involved had been unaware that the incident had occurred.
A pilot should not hesitate to call and clarify the other aircraft’s position and intentions if there is any uncertainty.
In the first instance the aircraft passed in close proximity with about .2 NM lateral separation and 300ft vertical separation. In the second case, the distance reduced to 0.1NM laterally and 100ft vertically.
The pilots reported making CTAF calls but some differences between the pilots’ and observers’ recollections of events that could not be reconciled. Any radio broadcasts made by the pilots could not be verified as transmissions at Ballarat are not recorded. Ballarat airport experienced a reasonable amount of airport activity on that day.
ATSB reminds pilots that in accordance with Civil Aviation Advisory Publication 166-1 ‘…radio broadcasts should be made as necessary to avoid the risk of a collision or an airprox event. A pilot should not hesitate to call and clarify the other aircraft’s position and intentions if there is any uncertainty.’
Read the report: Two aircraft proximity events at Ballarat Airport, Victoria, on 4 August 2012