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

August 2, 2024/in Tips and technique/by Flight Training Central Staff

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.

VFR Challenge from Pilot Workshops—A Fuel’s Errand

August 1, 2024/in Tips and technique/by Flight Training Central Staff

In this PilotWorkshops VFR Mastery scenario, you’re making a 650nm VFR cross-country from Red Wing, Minnesota (KRGK) to Sheridan, Wyoming (KSHR) for a ski trip. About half way there, at your only planned fuel stop in Phllip, South Dakota (KPHP), you discover the self-serve pump is inoperative. Now, with no other airports within comfortable fuel range, you’ll have to find a way out of this mess.

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

August 2, 2024/in Tips and technique/by Flight Training Central Staff

VFR Challenge from Pilot Workshops—A Fuel’s Errand

August 1, 2024/in Tips and technique/by Flight Training Central Staff

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

August 2, 2024/in Tips and technique/by Flight Training Central Staff

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.

VFR Challenge from Pilot Workshops—A Fuel’s Errand

August 1, 2024/in Tips and technique/by Flight Training Central Staff

VFR Challenge: A fuel’s errand—what would you on a cross-country trip when you discover no fuel is available at your only planned stop

In this PilotWorkshops VFR Mastery scenario, you’re making a 650nm VFR cross-country from Red Wing, Minnesota (KRGK) to Sheridan, Wyoming (KSHR) for a ski trip. About half way there, at your only planned fuel stop in, you discover the self-serve pump is inoperative. Now, with no other airports within comfortable fuel range, you’ll have to find a way out of this mess. None of your options are very good, and each one adds potential risks or long delays. Let’s jump in and see what you would decide.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

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

VFR Challenge from Pilot Workshops—A Fuel’s Errand

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

VFR Challenge from Pilot Workshops—A Fuel’s Errand

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

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

VFR Challenge from Pilot Workshops—A Fuel’s Errand

VFR Challenge: A fuel’s errand—what would you on a cross-country trip when you discover no fuel is available at your only planned stop

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