Flight Safety

Originally published in 2006

The Golden Rules of Sharing the Sky

• Always allow a minimum of three minutes in trail of significantly larger airplanes. Five minutes is even better.
• Cross the flight path of large aircraft at least 1,000 feet below and note the direction of the wind.
• Fly the upwind side of any large aircraft’s flight path.
• Remember what your instructor always told you about landing alter and rotating before heavy aircraft.
• Enter traffic areas at pattern altitude. Climbing and descending airplanes simply can’t see each other as well.
• Helicopter rotors create some remarkably ugly vortices. Warning: Don’t fly under helicopters – ever!
• When acceptable, ask Air Traffic Control (ATC) for a short approach in lieu of landing behind heavy traffic.
• Every time possible, use the luxury of approach and departure services.
• Alter a controller points out traffic, don’t be shy about asking ATC for updates on the traffic’s location until you’re sure it’s not a factor.
• When arriving or departing, remember you can always ask for more time to allow any hazards to dissipate. One mistake might be all you get.

SOURCE: Plane & Pilot 2005