Originally Posted by ZnCrO4

There are some small piston aircraft with a TCAS like system in the sense that it does not require ground based radar contact. To the best of my knowledge the G1000 is available with both TIS (requires ground based radar contact) and TAS (a system similar to TCAS I in the sense it requires only the onboard TAS unit and at least a transponder to receive a primary target or obviously mode C onboard the other aircraft for altitude information)

Having that said, did the either of the aircraft have such systems? I can not say. Should the pilots of these aircraft have been more vigilant in this corridor than normal? Depends on your definition of normal. Would I have seen the other aircraft soon enough to make a difference? I can not say. If I had you bet your bottom dollar I would have tried with everything I have to avoid hitting the other bird.

Bottom line is that it is unfair to assume that anyone could have for sure seen the other aircraft soon enough to make a difference.
just my two cents

RIP passengers and crew

Originally Posted by UAL T38 Phlyer

They approached each other laterally, from my perspective. Most pilots (even fighter pilots) spend the majority of their scan looking forward of the 3-9 line.

Originally Posted by UAL T38 Phlyer

They approached each other laterally, from my perspective. Most pilots (even fighter pilots) spend the majority of their scan looking forward of the 3-9 line.

But additionally, I can still hear the words of my Aerospace Physiology instructor at Williams AFB during the classroom lectures prior to flying the mighty Tweet:

"Which airplane is the one you are going to hit? The one that doesn't move."

I had never thought of it that way before.

In fighters (at least, the courses I went through), this stationary target was called "on the CATA" (Collision-Antenna Train Angle). It meant if you were locked on to a guy and the antenna angle didn't change, he was coming straight at you.

Lastly, the human eye reacts to two major physical characteristics: contrast, and relative motion. The video seems to show relatively little relative motion, especially in the peripheral vison area.

Missiles work the same way: no motion, it's coming for you. Makes it tough to see and react to.

Very, very unfortunate accident.

Originally Posted by atpwannabe

Now that you've mentioned it, I can see how this is possibly one explanation of what occured. As a matter of fact, it appears the SE a/c came from the helo pilot's 4 or 5 o'clock position.

***Daggumit now that I think about it, you are right. I'll hit the a/c that isn't moving!!!!


atp