Ask a CFI: How should a pilot respond to a traffic advisory from ATC?

/in /by
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
2 min read
ads-b traffic

ATC is only interested in confirmation of air traffic acquired visually.

When you you are flying under IFR, or receiving services from ATC while flying VFR in the terminal environment or en route (VFR Flight Following), it is common to receive traffic advisories from ATC. Traffic advisories are issued to alert pilots to other known or observed air traffic which may be in such proximity to the position or intended route of flight of their aircraft to warrant their attention. While it is the responsibility of every pilot to see and avoid other air traffic, advisories from ATC serve as an extra set of eyes in the sky.

A traffic advisory from ATC would commonly sound something like this: “Traffic, 2 o’clock, one zero miles, southbound, eight thousand.” If the type of aircaft is known by ATC, that information may also be included.

There are only two official responses to a traffic advisory issued by ATC:

1) “Traffic in sight” if the pilot sees the traffic or

2) “Negative contact” if the pilot does not have the traffic in sight.

However, Flight Training Central spoke to ATC personnel on the subject who confirm that the phrase “Looking for traffic” is often used informally and is generally understood and accepted by ATC as a useful alternative to a “negative contact” response, especially in VFR operations. The term “Looking for traffic” implies active participation on the part of the pilot in acquiring a traffic target. Once the target is acquired, the pilot should follow up with a “Traffic in sight” response.

Given the availability of traffic information on installed avionics and portable EFBs on the flight deck, you may also hear pilots respond to traffic advisories with confirmation that a traffic target is visible electronically such as “I have him on TCAS,” “I have him on my iPad” or “I have him on my screen.” It is worth noting that, in Flight Training Central’s discussion with ATC personnel, it was noted that ATC is ONLY looking for confirmation when targets are acquired visually. Electronic confirmations are not helpful to controllers in offering visual separation or assurances that conflicts will be avoided.

 

Flight Training Central Staff
Latest posts by Flight Training Central Staff (see all)