Plain English Meaning

Who is responsible for making sure a VFR aircraft does not get too close to other aircraft. In some airspace, the pilot handles it alone by looking out the window. In other airspace, ATC helps by calling out traffic or actively keeping aircraft apart.

Full Definition

The responsibility for keeping a VFR (Visual Flight Rules) aircraft safely apart from other aircraft. Depending on the airspace class, this responsibility either rests entirely with the pilot using see-and-avoid, or is shared with air traffic control, which may provide traffic advisories or actual separation services.

Context Anchor

Seen in airspace classification tables and discussions of what services pilots receive in Class B, , , and other airspace.