Definition
The legal and operational obligation of every pilot, when weather conditions allow, to actively look outside the aircraft for other traffic and take action to avoid collisions, regardless of whether the flight is conducted under visual or instrument flight rules.
Plain English
When you can see outside, it is your job to look for other aircraft and steer clear of them. You cannot rely only on air traffic control or instruments to keep you safe.
Context Anchor
Encountered in flight instructor responsibilities, collision-avoidance training, traffic pattern operations, and any flight where pilots must maintain an outside lookout.
Derivation
“See and avoid” uses two plain action words: first visually detect the other aircraft, then take action to stay clear. “Responsibility” comes from the idea of being answerable for a required action, which fits the aviation meaning: the pilot cannot assume someone else has fully handled collision avoidance.
Why Pilots Care
This duty is the primary defense against mid-air collisions in visual conditions where ATC does not provide separation.
Intuition Check
Do not read “see and avoid” as casual advice or as something only pilots flying without air traffic control must do. In FAA use, it is an active pilot duty whenever outside visibility allows it.
Example Sentence 1
Even while receiving radar traffic advisories, the instructor reminded the student that see and avoid responsibility remained with them in the cockpit.
Example Sentence 2
During the cross-country flight the student practiced see and avoid responsibility by systematically scanning the sky every few seconds.