File a NASA report?

Rosstafari Daaaang. /X

Had an semi-unsettling experience today, not sure whether to bother filing a NASA report or not.

I was up with my CFI, circling downward from 7000' within a ring of clouds that were about 2000-3000' away from us on all sides, practicing an engine-out emergency approach. We were around 5 miles north from the airport; the active runway was 11, and planes would've had to both turn sharply left and ascend quickly to get anywhere near us. No traffic detector on our plane, ATC was unaware of our position (and in Class D without radar, so no following), but we were of course monitoring Tower.

Anyway, at around 5000', at one o'clock I see a King Air tear through a cloud, climbing toward our right fast. We were circling counterclockwise, so it was easy to bank harder to steer clear, but he probably passed within 2000-3000' laterally. Within that cloud, we would've been invisible to him until the moment I saw him.

Sooo... kind of a near miss. Depends on your definition, I suppose. Certainly a situation that I didn't want to be in, even though there was ample separation to keep both planes safe and it resulted in minimal diversion from our flight paths (I doubt he even altered his, but some of the guys flying King Airs around there have a big fish little pond mentality, so not surprised).

What do y'all think? File a report? Is it worth it? Would it really have any benefit to anyone? We were flying legal cloud separation (1000' above, 500' below, 2000' lateral), we took all possible precautions, we reacted appropriately. Furthermore, I don't want to get my CFI into any sort of trouble, since he was legally PIC and is a safe guy who's excellent at respecting the rules (and makes sure his students do the same).

Interested in your input.

BoomerSooner77 I am rubber, you're glue. Plano, TX

TAKE THEM BITCHES DOWN!

scope dope Trusted Member

I would not. You're not PIC.

strykr Junior Member cardboard box

Rossta, wouldn't bother with it... You basically answered your question with two statements. you were legal VFR, and the fact that your CFI was the legal PIC and if he thinks it was a necessary thing, then he will. That being said, the purpose of NASA is to "help" with any problems that arise out there in the great sky so you could. Talk to him about it. I completely understand your concern though, you don't want a black mark on your name when you get your Cert. Basic VFR Rule is See and avoid/see and be seen. well obviously because of the puffy's out and about, being seen can difficult, but you did fine by avoiding it and since you were VFR in Class E airspace you're not even required to monitor the Tower Freq... Another thing is if the KA has TCAS, he might have had an RA and thus avoided the situation. Lots of possibilities. Go talk it over with your CFI and call it a learning experience. Good luck with your training!

Niagra19 "Murphy" Phoenix

I know everyone is saying not to, but seriously why the heck wouldn't you?!?!? It only takes a few moments of your time and it protects you from any misinterpretation/oversight/bureaucratic bullshit you may face months from now and once you get to a couple months from now you cant file. Just fill it out and send it in. It doesn't cost you anything to fill it out, it doesn't hurt you, there is no limit to how many you can fill out, and it could save your ass from the unknown yet certain stupidity of others. So other than about a minute and a half of your time and a postage stamp I cant see a down side. Hell I will pay the postage for you. Please please protect your certificate.

Further note, this incident is what the NASA program was designed for . . . so pilots could report potentially hazardous flight incidents without the fear of backlash.

scope dope Trusted Member

right now up until he gets his private is the only time he can throw his hands up and say he didn't know any better. It'll come back on his CFI.

irishcarbomb Moderator Houston, TX

youre not pic or sic..it wouldnt help.

you had vfr vis and cloud clearences, you saw and avoided.

you didnt break or possibly break any regs, i would bring it up to your cfi though just to learn from the situation and to help determine when IS the right time for a nasa form.

SnowAviation Senior Member Escondido, CA

I'd file. Kind of a Near Midair, not near miss.

The NASA system isn't designed for pilots to use as a "Get out of Jail Free" form, although it sorta works that way. It's a system that is in place to "identifies system deficiencies, and issues alerting messages to persons in a position to correct them." It's there to educate others through its newsletter CALLBACK and its journal ASRS Directline. When something goes wrong or is unsafe it's a venue to report that incident so others can learn from errors made in an non threatening environment.

From your description you didn't have 3 miles flight visibility, if that's the case then then you weren't VFR and I'd file, and I'd encourage your CFI to do so too.

The Fold Transmitting in the Blind South Florida

I'd fill it out and have your CFI send it in. Hand it to him completed and see if he wants to file it.

It doesn't hurt you to file it, it's only beneficial. Plus, it allows NASA to track near mid-airs etc. YOU CANT GET IN TROUBLE FOR FILING IT.

I knew one Aviation Attorney (who was constantly in battles with the FAA for his clients) who would file a NASA form for every flight. I wouldn't recommend this, but it shows how far it goes to protect you.

strykr Junior Member cardboard box

Correct.

Correct.

Simple fix: "Umm, we were practicing IFR maneuvers..."