rnicks 0 #1 September 10, 2012 So, I fly often and mostly stare out the window for the entire flight out of boredom. I'm use to seeing many other planes in the air. However, a few months ago, one passed under us at a distance of less than 500 feet. My husband, who is a pilot (airforce, not commercial) thinks I probably miss judged the distance as this is highly unlikely. Well, last night the exact same thing happened. At cruising altitude, another large plane passed DIRECTLY under us at a 90 degree angle at no more than 500 feet. Now, I am inclined to believe my husband as he knows a thing or two about it. However, I just can't let it go. I know what I saw! I've been on enough jumps to be able to judge distance. So, is this something that ever really happens? Or is my husband right? I realize that it is highly unlikely but I really believe it happened. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theplummeter 15 #2 September 10, 2012 If you were above 28000 feet when you saw the other airplane chances are really good that you were separated vertically by exactly 1000 feet. Aircraft going east use odd thousands for cruise and aircraft going west use even thousands. Aircraft used to be further apart but a few years back the federal government enacted Reduced Vertical Separation Minima legislation that required better aircraft altimetry and allowed controllers to make use of less vertical separation. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #3 September 10, 2012 Exactly what theplummeter said. With such big planes in the sky, 1000' vertical can easily look like less, maybe 500'. In fact, when two aircraft, separated by only 1000', are merging together in the sky, we're required to call traffic to both aircraft. As the aircraft approach at closing rates of almost 1000 mph, it's hard for the pilots to tell if the other a/c is above, below or at the same altitude. Our traffic calls keep them from doing a panic evasion maneuver. However, if you were up at cruise and an approaching plane WAS only 500' below, you'd probably feel some quick maneuvering by the pilot as the controller tries desperately to "pry them apart." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #4 September 10, 2012 Quote However, if you were up at cruise and an approaching plane WAS only 500' below, you'd probably feel some quick maneuvering by the pilot as the controller tries desperately to "pry them apart." or.... dial...dial...dial ring...ring...ring... "Hello?" "Uh V? It's me." "Hi Honey! "Go outside and look up into the sky." "Why?" "You're gonna see the biggest damned fireball ever!"My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arvoitus 1 #5 September 10, 2012 You should fly on airlines that have Internet. That way you can watch http://www.flightradar24.com/ to see the other planes and you don't have to get lucky as you can predict the other planes coming. Much more entertaining flight being able to spot the other planes.Your rights end where my feelings begin. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #6 September 11, 2012 Quote "You're gonna see the biggest damned fireball ever!" I shouldn't laugh at that one, damn it, Andy! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpwally 0 #7 September 11, 2012 I thought there was a built in delay on those sites..no ?smile, be nice, enjoy life FB # - 1083 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arvoitus 1 #8 September 11, 2012 The FAA data has a 5 min delay but the ADS-B data is near real-time.Your rights end where my feelings begin. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
