Prior to starting each maneuver, what should pilots do to support collision avoidance?

• A. Visually scan the entire area
• B. Check only the intended path
• C. Confirm with ATC
• D. Maintain instrument scanning only

Answer: (A)

Before you begin any maneuver, you must establish awareness of the airspace around you by looking well ahead and around you. The important idea is to use airspace scanning as your primary tool for collision avoidance. A broad visual scan of the entire area lets you see traffic coming from all directions, not just along the path you plan to fly. This early, wide view helps you judge where other aircraft are, how they’re moving, and whether you need to alter your course, altitude, or timing to keep a safe separation. In the real world, you can’t rely on someone else to clear the airspace for you, and in many gliding operations there may be no ATC involvement, so seeing-and-avoiding is the primary defense.

Checking only the intended path could miss traffic that isn’t on that line but could intersect you, such as aircraft approaching from a crosswind or from the rear. Depending on ATC is not always practical in glider operations, especially in uncontrolled airspace where you need to maintain your own vigilant lookout. Relying on instrument scanning alone can be dangerous in VFR flight, since you might miss visually detectable traffic or misjudge its path when visibility is good for eyes outside.