Suturers

Suturers are a type of collision avoidance system used in aviation to prevent mid-air collisions between aircraft. The system uses a combination of radar and electronic communication to detect and respond to potential collisions. Suturers were first introduced in the 1960s and have since been adopted by a number of countries for use in their national airspaces.

The system operates by broadcasting a coded signal from one aircraft to another, which is then received by the receiving aircraft's onboard collision avoidance system. If the system detects a potential collision, it will alert the pilots and automatically adjust the aircraft's flight path to avoid the collision. The system is designed to work in conjunction with traditional air traffic control procedures, providing an additional layer of safety for pilots and passengers.

Suturers are most commonly used in Instrument METAR weather conditions, when visibility is restricted and air traffic control procedures become more complex. The system has been shown to be highly effective in preventing mid-air collisions, with some studies suggesting that it can reduce the risk of such incidents by up to 80%.

However, suturers have also been the subject of controversy and debate. Some pilots and air traffic controllers have expressed concerns about the system's accuracy and potential for false alarms, which can cause unnecessary stress and disruption to flight operations. Despite these concerns, suturers remain an important safety tool in modern aviation, and continue to be refined and improved through ongoing research and development.