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In discussing the midair in Florida, Jason dispenses some excellent advice concerning see-and-avoid but he also mentions that "obviously the controller has made an error ... in IFR there are certain requirements that the controller is bound to adhere to. They are bound to keep the aircraft a certain number of feet apart...". I think this is a common (mis)conception among pilots.

I am NOT a CFI (but I did stay at a Holiday Inn). I have taken the Instrument writtens (actually I just finished all the writtens) and I kept coming across a question that confused me. I thought that IFR meant that the controller would keep me clear of all other aircraft, but that's not the case.

From the AIM - 4-4-11 b.

Here's the deal - IFR keeps you separated from all other IFR traffic and participating VFR traffic. If you're in the clouds, you should only have to worry about other IFR traffic. If you're not in the clouds, those VFR guys without flight following do not have to be mentioned by ATC. Seems strange to me, but that's what the AIM says and that's the answer on the Instrument written.

I think the bottom line is that if we can see outside, then it's our responsibility to be looking outside, always. We are the ones in the plane, and have the most to lose if we aren't diligent about this.

Landis,

It's very interesting. But I'm not convinced from that quote. I need to find out what a "VFR conditions clearance" is. They must mean like on a visual approach. Other than those two 'VFR' clearances, the controller has no idea if you are in IMC or VMC, unless they ask.

I think some more research is in order. I'll let you know what I find.

Thanks for the great input!

jason

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Thanks for the replies.

I think the key part of the statement in the AIM is that IFR keeps you separated from all other IFR aircraft. When you're in the clouds there shouldn't be any non-IFR aircraft. In the incident mentioned it was a VFR aircraft vs. an IFR aircraft. A VFR aircraft should be operated in VMC and the IFR pilot should see and avoid the VFR aircraft.

Again, I'd certainly hope that I'd be told about the VFR aircraft, but I don't think we can absolutely expect it.

If you are on an IFR flight plan but in VMC conditions, the "see and avoid" rules apply. If you are in IMC at the time of a IFR flight plan and the controller notifies you of traffic. Let them know you are IMC. This way they know they may have to vector you around traffic. The ATC system can only "see" traffic detail to a certain level, this is why we have separation altitude rules.

If you are practicing IFR approaches and you has for visual then ATC can shorten the spacing intervals between you and other aircraft on their scope as they know you are doing the "seeing and avoiding".