Plain English Meaning

A planned way of looking around — outside and inside the cockpit — in small steps, so your eyes actually see what's there instead of just sliding past it.

Full Definition

A systematic method of moving the eyes across the outside environment and the cockpit instruments in a deliberate sequence to detect other aircraft, terrain, weather, and changes in aircraft state. Outside the aircraft, the recommended technique uses short, regularly spaced eye movements that pause briefly on small segments of sky so the eyes can actually focus and resolve traffic, rather than sweeping smoothly across the windshield.

Context Anchor

Used during normal flight, especially when looking for other aircraft, clearing turns, entering traffic patterns, and checking the area before changing direction or .