encompassed by, the tasks within each area of operation in  the appropriate PTS and ACS. Flight instructors and pilot  applicants should always remember that safe, competent  piloting requires a commitment to learning, planning, and  risk management that goes beyond rote performance of  maneuvers. Descriptions of tasks and information on how to  perform maneuvers and procedures are contained in reference  and teaching documents, such as this handbook. A list of  reference documents is contained in the introduction section  of each PTS and ACS. It is necessary that the latest version  of the PTS and ACS, with all recent changes, be referenced  for training. All recent versions and changes to the FAA PTS  and ACS may be viewed or downloaded at www.faa.gov. In the interest of safety and good habit pattern formation,  there are certain basic flight safety practices and procedures  that must be emphasized by the flight instructor, and adhered  to by both instructor and student, beginning with the very  first dual instruction flight. These include, but are not limited  to, collision avoidance procedures including proper scanning  techniques and clearing procedures, runway incursion  avoidance, stall awareness, positive transfer of controls, and  flight deck workload management. may be used to increase the effectiveness of the scan time. The  human eyes tend to focus somewhere, even in a featureless  sky. In order to be most effective, the pilot should shift glances  and refocus at intervals. Most pilots do this in the process  of scanning the instrument panel, but it is also important to  focus outside to set up the visual system for effective target  acquisition. Pilots should also realize that their eyes may  require several seconds to refocus when switching views  between items on the instrument panel and distant objects.  All pilots must be alert to the potential for midair collision  and impending loss of separation. The general operating and  flight rules in 14 CFR part 91 set forth the concept of “See  and Avoid.” This concept requires that vigilance shall be  maintained at all times by each person operating an aircraft  regardless of whether the operation is conducted under IFR or  VFR. Pilots should also keep in mind their responsibility for  continuously maintaining a vigilant lookout regardless of the  type of aircraft being flown and the purpose of the flight. Most  midair collision accidents and reported near midair collision  incidents occur in good VFR weather conditions and during the  hours of daylight. Most of these accident/incidents occur within  5 miles of an airport and/or near navigation aids.  [Figure 1-11] Proper scanning requires the constant sharing of attention  with other piloting tasks, thus it is easily degraded by such  The probability of spotting a potential collision threat increases  with the time spent looking outside, but certain techniques  1-11 Figure 1-12. Proper scanning techniques can mitigate midair  collisions. Pilots must be aware of potential blind spots and attempt  to clear the entire area that they are maneuvering in. Figure 1-11. Most midair collision accidents occur in good weather. Safety of Flight Practices Collision Avoidance Blind spots The “See and Avoid” concept relies on knowledge of the  limitations of the human eye and the use of proper visual  scanning techniques to help compensate for these limitations.  Pilots should remain constantly alert to all traffic movement  within their field of vision, as well as periodically scanning the  entire visual field outside of their aircraft to ensure detection of  conflicting traffic. Remember that the performance capabilities  of many aircraft, in both speed and rates of climb/descent,  result in high closure rates limiting the time available for  detection, decision, and evasive action.  [Figure 1-12]