PA28 pilot cites the importance of clearing turns for avoiding conflicting traffic in the practice a...

Narrative:

While entering the local practice area; clearing turns were being performed prior to maneuvering. During one clearing turn; another aircraft was seen above and to the side. I continued the turn and entered a descent to remain clear of the other aircraft. The other aircraft was flying straight and level; and I do not know if it was in the practice area maneuvering or passing through; it appeared to be flying straight and level when I first saw it. A system such as ads-B would be beneficial to avoid this situation in the future. As the aircraft was initially obscured by the wing during the first clearing turn; it was only during the second turn that it could be seen. Having ads-B or a similar system provide alerts in all directions; even blind spots; would be hugely beneficial in ensuring a clear area; in addition to visual scanning and clearing turns. Furthermore; an established practice area frequency and reporting points would ensure separation of aircraft maneuvering in the practice area. Multiple schools use the same area; at the same time; so coordination prior to flight is currently difficult. Speaking to each school about using a common frequency and performing regular callouts would greatly increase the safety of the practice area. I do not know if the other aircraft was a training flight; or an aircraft passing through; which would be more difficult to coordinate with. The importance of clearing turns and correct visual scan is evident for me; in performing those actions; a potential conflict was avoided.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA28 pilot cites the importance of clearing turns for avoiding conflicting traffic in the practice area and suggests that ADS-B and a common frequency would make it even safer.

Narrative: While entering the local practice area; clearing turns were being performed prior to maneuvering. During one clearing turn; another aircraft was seen above and to the side. I continued the turn and entered a descent to remain clear of the other aircraft. The other aircraft was flying straight and level; and I do not know if it was in the practice area maneuvering or passing through; it appeared to be flying straight and level when I first saw it. A system such as ADS-B would be beneficial to avoid this situation in the future. As the aircraft was initially obscured by the wing during the first clearing turn; it was only during the second turn that it could be seen. Having ADS-B or a similar system provide alerts in all directions; even blind spots; would be hugely beneficial in ensuring a clear area; in addition to visual scanning and clearing turns. Furthermore; an established practice area frequency and reporting points would ensure separation of aircraft maneuvering in the practice area. Multiple schools use the same area; at the same time; so coordination prior to flight is currently difficult. Speaking to each school about using a common frequency and performing regular callouts would greatly increase the safety of the practice area. I do not know if the other aircraft was a training flight; or an aircraft passing through; which would be more difficult to coordinate with. The importance of clearing turns and correct visual scan is evident for me; in performing those actions; a potential conflict was avoided.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1208023
Time
Date	201409
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	D98.Airport
State Reference	MI
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	None
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Commercial
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 35 Flight Crew Total 260 Flight Crew Type 6
Events
Anomaly	Conflict Airborne Conflict
Miss Distance	Horizontal 500 Vertical 100

PA28 pilot cites the importance of clearing turns for avoiding conflicting traffic in the practice area and suggests that ads-B and a common frequency would make it even safer.