Definition
The pilot's personal responsibility to actively see and avoid other aircraft, terrain, and obstacles during flight, regardless of the type of flight plan or air traffic control services being received. Under 14 CFR 91.113, this responsibility rests with the pilot in command at all times when weather conditions permit visual observation, and is carried out through systematic outside scanning, proper clearing procedures before maneuvers, awareness of high-traffic areas, and adherence to right-of-way rules.
Plain English
It is the pilot's job — not air traffic control's — to watch for other aircraft and avoid running into them. Whenever you can see outside, you are expected to look outside, clear the area before turning or climbing, and follow the rules about who has right of way.
Context Anchor
Encountered in basic flight safety training, especially when learning visual scanning, clearing turns, traffic pattern awareness, and operations near other aircraft.
Derivation
Collision comes from a Latin idea meaning “to strike together.” Avoidance means keeping away from something before contact happens. Together, collision avoidance means preventing aircraft from getting close enough to create a strike or near-strike risk.
Why Pilots Care
Failure to fulfill this role remains a leading cause of fatal general-aviation accidents; pilots who treat collision avoidance as solely ATC's job increase their own risk.
Intuition Check
Do not assume collision avoidance is mainly the controller's job or the equipment's job. In the airplane, the pilot still has an active duty to look, judge, and maneuver when needed.
Example Sentence 1
Before each turn in the practice area, the instructor reminded the student that the pilots' role in collision avoidance starts with a thorough visual scan in the direction of the turn.
Example Sentence 2
Even on an IFR clearance, the pilot stayed ready to maneuver if a traffic conflict appeared, honoring their role in collision avoidance.