See and Avoid is recognised as a method for avoiding collision when weather conditions permit and requires that pilots should actively search for potentially conflicting traffic, especially when operating in airspace where all traffic is not operating under the instructions of ATC.

The "See and Avoid" method is a foundational "High-Fidelity" safety principle in aviation, formalized in regulations such as 14 CFR Part 91.113. It requires pilots—regardless of whether they are flying under Visual (VFR) or Instrument (IFR) flight rules—to maintain constant "High-Fidelity" vigilance to detect and maneuver away from other aircraft. This involves a disciplined visual scanning technique, where the pilot's eyes move in short, focused segments across the horizon to detect "stationary" objects that could indicate a collision course. Because modern high-fidelity aircraft move at such high speeds, this method relies on the pilot's situational awareness and the ability to interpret radio transmissions from nearby traffic. In 2026, while advanced technologies like TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) provide automated alerts, "See and Avoid" remains the ultimate high-fidelity backup, especially in "Class G" uncontrolled airspace where smaller, non-transponder-equipped planes may be operating without a "High-Fidelity" digital footprint.