Definition
The capability of an aircraft, particularly an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), to detect potential conflicting traffic or hazards and take appropriate action to maintain safe separation, fulfilling the see-and-avoid responsibility required of manned aircraft under visual flight rules.
Plain English
The ability of an aircraft (especially a drone) to spot other aircraft or obstacles and move out of the way in time to avoid a collision.
Context Anchor
Seen in unmanned aircraft operations, traffic avoidance discussions, and rules about keeping aircraft safely apart.
Derivation
A direct adaptation of the long-standing pilot rule 'see and avoid.' Because an unmanned aircraft has no onboard pilot to see, the word 'see' is replaced with 'sense' — meaning detection by cameras, radar, transponder receivers, or other equipment.
Why Pilots Care
Allows drones to share airspace with manned aircraft without requiring continuous visual monitoring by a ground operator.
Intuition Check
Do not read “sense” as just casually noticing something. In this term, it means detecting a hazard in time to take a clear avoidance action.
Example Sentence 1
The drone's sense-and-avoid system alerted the operator to a low-flying helicopter approaching from the east.
Example Sentence 2
During the test flight the aircraft used sense and avoid to climb and pass behind crossing traffic.