Can GPS be *too* accurate? Do I need some XTE??

"Peter R." wrote in message
...
Bill Denton ) wrote:

The separation of VFR/IFR aircraft is not covered in this section; the
separation of ALL aircraft is discussed in the previous section.

Then why are you and I having this disagreement?

You asked about separation of an aircraft flying at 6,000 feet,
presumably on an IFR flight plan, I maintained all along about the fact
that IFR flights are not separated from VFR flights and presented two
scenarios where an IFR aircraft at 6,000 feet might encounter a VFR
aircraft, yet you quote a passage that admittedly has nothing to do with
my posts.

No, the orignal poster presented the scenario. I simply pointed out that a
6000 feet he would be on an IFR flight plan, talking to ATC, and receiving
traffic from ATC.

You introduced the passage and misinterpreted it. I provided a correct
interpretation.


The purpose of this section is to remind VFR-on-top-pilots that while
they
are on an IFR flight plan, ATC has allowed them to deviate and fly under
VFR
rules (including see and avoid) and that ATC is not obligated to provide
traffic guidance.

I am not sure what your point about VFR-on-top is, but as a reminder to
you, in the US VFR-on-TOP is a specific IFR clearance that must be
requested.

And if you are granted that clearance, you will be flying under what are
essentially Visual Flight Rules, you will be allowed to deviate from your
as-filed flight plan, and ATC is not obligated to provide traffic guidance
outside of Class B's and TRSA's.They still have an open IFR flight plan;
they must either cancel IFR, or they must rejoin that flight plan at a
waypoint on the plan and continue fllying that flight plan.



Simply being on an IFR flight plan in visual conditions is not the same
as VFR-on-top. In the case of the IFR flight in VMC, the pilot is still
guaranteed ATC separation between other IFR aircraft, but not VFR
aircraft (excluding class B).

Thus, to your question in your first post, an IFR aircraft at 6,000 feet
is still at risk of a mid-air collision.

But a pilot flying on a VFR flight plan is required to observe "see and
avoid", and if he is observing it and taking appropriate evasive action, a
collision cannot occur.

Keep in mind that separation is not provided only by ATC traffic guidance
and "see and avoid", it's also provided by "east is odd, west is even, VFR
+500" altitudes and other things.



--
Peter