We were on a day cross country to Boston from the Toronto area. We had just departed Albany (KALB) after clearing Customs and were directed eastbound on course to 5,500 feet. We remain on frequency with Albany Departure for flight following until they were ready to hand us off to Boston Center. We keep a listening watch of the flurry of GA activity on the frequency including some nearby skydiving in the area. Despite being busy it sounds as though we’re away from most of it.

We level off and were getting ready to cross over the mountains when our trusty PCAS advises us of traffic ahead and to the right, same altitude, 2.5 miles, and closing. All four on board take to scanning the sky paying particular attention to the quadrant between 12 o’clock and 3 o’clock. The traffic continues to close through 2.0 miles. I continue my lookout, every so often glancing at the screen for target trends.

As the target closure is nearing 1.0 nm I prepare to take action in an effort to create some space between us and our target, both still reported at 5,500 feet. Just then Albany calls.

With an ominous steady beeping heard in the background (that I afterward assume may have been some sort of ATC traffic proximity warning) we are issued the rapid-fire command “Fox Lima Romeo India, descend 500 immediately, traffic your 2 o’clock, same altitude… descend immediately!” 

Forward on the controls, I acknowledge “Fox Lima Romeo India descending now.” Within what felt like just a few seconds we finally visualize our target now just above us to our right and starting to cross behind us proceeding due northwest. I’ll admit that as Close Calls go for me, this was about as close as I’ve personally experienced.

Let’s review. We were eastbound at 5,500 feet. Check. Using flight following. Check. Maintaining a lookout (times four). Check. Monitoring area activity. Check.

Our target was northwest bound at 5,500 feet. Not climbing or descending. And not communicating with area controllers.

Had we have not changed altitude, directed to or not, the outcome might have been very different. It really makes you think. You can be doing all the right things but what the other guy is doing is out of your hands. In the case of a mid-air, being right might be nice, but it doesn’t change the result in the end.

This situation was managed calmly and effectively with the help of technology and ATC and serves to reinforce the message I’ve been repeating for months. Use flight following, communicate, monitor, lookout, and use available technology – all in combination. As more and more of us do all of these things, the safer our skies will be for us all.

Fly safe®.