Title:
East Michigan Flight Standards District Office Monthly Safety Meeting February 2026
Topic:
PTK ATC Tower/Pilot Controller Open Forum Visual Traffic Separation and Collision Avoidance
Speaker(s):
Zach Ortiz, Pat Ryan
Brief Description:
PTK ATC Tower Controller/Pilot Forum-See Additional Information below for highlights of the forum.
On your own to See and Avoid.
This is a special education campaign emphasizing pilot’s responsibilities for collision avoidance at all times and when operating on Visual Clearances issued by ATC.
Teaching Points:
- Pilots are responsible for seeing and avoiding air traffic. Visual scanning for traffic is the most common means to avoid collision. Pilots must commit to maintaining an effective traffic scan throughout flight.
- Complacency and distractions can severely compromise traffic scanning effectiveness.
- ATC may provide separation services and assist in identifying traffic but the
Pilots are primarily responsible for collision avoidance.
- ATC may issue Visual clearances to follow or avoid aircraft. When operating on Visual Clearances, pilots must keep the referenced traffic in sight or, if they lose sight of the traffic, they must immediately inform ATC.
- Near Mid air Case Study Practical Exercise(s)
Select Number:
GL23141281
Location of Seminar:
JDV Conference Room
6500 Highland Rd
Waterford, MI 48327
Directions to Venue:
Via personal vehicle: ample parking in terminal parking lot.
Fly-in: park on airport terminal ramp as directed by ATC.
Today's OPS presentation will take two hours.
Seating:
40
seats at the facility,
14
remaining for online registration.
Registration Information:
Seminar has passed.
Sponsoring Division:
FAASTeam
Additional Event Information & Acknowledgement of Industry Sponsor(s):
Due to FAA business conflict the time for this Seminar is for a 1 pm Start time.
ATM will represent the ATO and brief attendees on Runway Safety issues at the facility.
ATM should open the meeting by describing the upcoming RSAT and advising participants of any local issues/concerns.
ATM should seek input from pilots.
Thanks to Oakland County International Airport Management for use of the JDVCC room.
This seminar is expected to be no more than a total of 2 hours.
Please plan to attend and bring a friend to this life saving event and receive two different Wings Credits.
Equal Access Information:
The FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) is committed to providing equal access to this meeting/event for all participants. If you need alternative formats or services because of a disability, please communicate your request as soon as possible with the person in the “Contact Information” area of the meeting/event notice. Note that two weeks is usually required to arrange services.
Credit Applicability:
1 Credit for Basic Knowledge Topic 1
1 Credit for Basic Knowledge Topic 2
FAASTeam Project Information:
National Project:
Runway Safety Action Team (RSAT) Meetings
Additional Event Documents: