A pilot’s view on why helicopter did not avoid passenger jet in Washington crash...Dominic Nicholls, who flew helicopters for the British Army, explains how airspace is usually controlled to avoid accidents

Yahoo - Telegraph - UK ^ | Dominic Nicholls Associate Editor (Defence).

[Stingray51]

Yes - that right there is the problem.

[cpdiii]

The chopper would have mode C on its transponder. ATC knew how high he was.

[Pilsner]

Likewise with watercraft, I believe the starboard craft has right of way.

I believe there is also a rule, for watercraft, that, if a collision threatens, between two vessels of radically different sizes, only the smaller craft maneuvers to avoid the collision -- the larger vessel maintains course, and speed. The thought is that the danger of collision is increased if you have two vessels playing Alphonse and Gaston, with each changing, and rechanging, course towards the other.

I don't know if aircraft have similar rules.

[MortMan]

Most people don’t know flight levels. 18,000ft through 60,000ft.

[UCANSEE2]

What happens if you are wearing night vision goggles and a bright light is shined directly at you ?????

It’s like looking directly at the Sun. Both pilot and copilot were wearing these goggles, from what I’ve read.