Kamakazi -- What to do?

[Ftlausa]

So on the way back from Mom's for Thanksgiving, we get a traffic alert from ATC about an erratic aircraft near Vero Beach.  ATC reports wild altitude changes and unpredictable direction changes.  I had heard ATC give similar warnings to a Falcon jet ahead of us a few minutes early.  As we get about 5 miles or so from the aircraft, I can see he is doing aerobatics.  I cannot tell the aircraft type from the distance, but he is doing loops and other maneuvers.  Since he was around 5 miles away, I figured it would not be an issue. 

Well, that was when he leveled off at our altitude and headed straight for us at about 1 to 2 o'clock. Close rate was significant.  At one mile I got the audible traffic alert and he was not changing course.  We could now see that he was a single engine prop aircraft of some sort.  Time for evasive action.  I started a climbing left turn while watching him on the screen and while my wife and daughter were having panic attacks.   

So here is my question.  What evasive action would you have taken?  I chose (with not much forethought) to do a climbing left turn to create separation, and then circled back on course initially 1000 feet higher, seeing that he was now low and behind me on the screen, but this meant I lost visual contact during the maneuver.  I probably should have done a 45 degree climbing left turn and then got back on course when clear instead of circling.  My wife asked why I didn't just aggressively climb straight ahead. 

[kpaul]

Turning and climbing away from the traffic conflict was a smart choice.  A full 360 might be more aggressive then was needed and also confusing to ATC. 30 to 45 degrees in most cases along with a climb should be sufficient to build separation.  Being able to keep your eye on the other aircraft is always preferable to turning your tail, especially if that other aircraft was already showing erratic flight patterns.  Climbing aggressively would have also cause you to put the other traffic in your blind spot.

All of this of course followed by trying to get a look at the N# and filing a HATR.

[1964-M20E]

I'm no expert but in the end you did good and avoided a mid air.  I thought the convention was to turn right to avoid other traffic but at your 1 to 2 o'clock that would have put you closer to him and in his path.  The action taken got you higher and further away and fuhrer from his direction of flight.  He probably didn't see you and didn't care.

 

Finally did you advise ATC that you observed him doing aerobatics?  Not that they could do too much but the other guy should have been in communication with ATC for everyone's safety.

[Shadrach]

Not being completely able to visualize the situation, my Monday morning QB assessment is that whatever you did worked. However, I try to never lose sight of an aircraft I'm avoiding until I'm sure it's no factor. Having time to think it through, I'd have likey nosed over in a gentle but deliberate manner banking away from him in whatever manner that would avoid him but keep him in sight. The reason I would dive is to conserve/gain energy. In the event that a real evasive maneuver is needed, energy is an asset and almost any truly evasive maneuver should be positive G.  I know the regs say turn right, and that might be the best course of action, but a pilot flying aerobatic who does not see you and is not on freq is completely unpredictable.

[smwash02]

First I am glad you are all safe.

Per the FAR...

§91.113 Right-of-way rules: Except water operations.
 

(e) Approaching head-on. When aircraft are approaching each other head-on, or nearly so, each pilot of each aircraft shall alter course to the right.
 

I would've descended instead of climbed to exercise the potential energy (altitude) I had and prevented myself from being unable to see the approaching traffic.

[clh]

+1 on the advising ATC.

I once got surprised to see a cub doing spins up close and personal....... 

Since you were able to identify that he was doing loops, etc. they usually tend to stay in a general area, but not hold any specific direction for very long. It is best to get out of that area as quickly as possible.  Good call on turning wherever they are not. 

[Jeff_S]

But my question is, did you experience any explosions of "divine wind" coming from your backside due to the stress of it all?

[Ftlausa]

I did notify ATC when 5 miles out and could see he was doing aerobatics, and I notified them again when I maneuvered away so that they knew what was going on. 

A right turn would definitely not have worked in this circumstance.  He was moving from our 1 to 2 o'clock, and heading to 3 o'clock position when I maneuvered. 

[Mcstealth]

So a right turn was not an option. When I first read your post, my initial reaction was I would not have climbed and exposed my belly. A right turn was my thoughts and keep the other bird in sight. If your situational awareness says don't turn right then so be it. You went with your gut and it worked. good job.

[Jim Peace]

http://www.hark.com/clips/dvrzfxkmpy-if-you-think-youre-dead

[Yetti]

I got a call from FF once with an anxious voice and beeping in the background.  He suggested climb.  With the climb rate of a Mooney being that better than most, Yes it exposes the underbelly, but unless the person is really trying to hit you, it exposes lots of plane for them to see and avoid. My SOP is to climb.

[carusoam]

Nice quote Jim, but...

Technicality: They swapped out a Mig for a Mik.  Unless the bad guys were flying around in Miks back in the 80s...

Best regards,

-a-