Definition
An FAA Advisory Circular titled 'Pilots' Role in Collision Avoidance,' which provides guidance on visual scanning techniques, see-and-avoid responsibilities, and procedures pilots should use to reduce the risk of midair collisions.
Plain English
An FAA guidance document that explains how pilots should look out for other aircraft and avoid running into them.
Context Anchor
Seen in collision-avoidance training, especially when studying the pilot’s responsibility to look outside, watch for traffic, and avoid other aircraft.
Derivation
Advisory Circulars are numbered by subject area. The '90' series covers air traffic and general operating rules, and '-48' is the specific document number within that series. Knowing the numbering helps pilots find related guidance quickly.
Why Pilots Care
Following its recommendations reduces the risk of mid-air collisions by improving pilot awareness and traffic separation practices.
Intuition Check
Do not read AC here as air conditioning or electrical current. In this context, AC means Advisory Circular: an FAA guidance document, not a clearance or a regulation by itself.
Example Sentence 1
Before the flight, the instructor reviewed the visual scanning pattern from AC 90-48 with the student.
Example Sentence 2
The student pilot applied the lookout procedures described in AC 90-48 while flying in the practice area.