How can you visually determine if you are on a collision course?

To visually determine if you are on a collision course, observing that the other aircraft appears stationary in the canopy is a key indicator. This phenomenon occurs when both aircraft are on the same flight path, meaning there is no relative movement between them from your viewpoint. If the aircraft remains fixed in your field of vision, it signifies that it is maintaining a consistent course without lateral separation.

The absence of line of sight reinforces this assessment; if you cannot see the other aircraft moving or changing position, it strongly suggests that you are converging on the same trajectory. This scenario highlights the importance of situational awareness in avoiding mid-air collisions.

In contrast, seeing the other aircraft moving away, approaching each other at an angle, or only observing it in peripheral vision are less reliable indicators of a collision course. These situations suggest different degrees of separation rather than a direct path toward one another. Thus, recognizing an aircraft that appears stationary in the canopy is critical for collision avoidance assessment.