In aviation, the Big Sky Theory is that two randomly flying bodies are very unlikely to collide, as the three dimensional space is so large relative to the bodies. Some aviation safety rules involving altimetry and navigation standards are based on this concept. It does not apply (or applies less) when aircraft are flying along specific narrow routes, such as an airport traffic pattern or jet airway.
The Big Sky Theory has been mathematically modeled, using a gas law approach. This implies that metal-on-metal collisions of aircraft in free flight should be extremely rare in en-route airspace, whereas operational errors (violations of formal separation standards) should be relatively common. Three critical parameters are the number of flying object(s) per unit volume, their speed, and their size. Larger, faster objects, flying in a traffic-rich environment are more collision-prone (per unit time).
Read more about Big Sky Theory: Military Aviation Tactics, Space Warfare, Big Ocean Theory
Famous quotes containing the words big, sky and/or theory:
“Towns oftener swamp one than carry one out onto the big ocean of life.”
—D.H. (David Herbert)
“Two wooden tubs of blue hydrangeas stand at the foot of the stone steps.
The sky is a blue gum streaked with rose. The trees are black.
The grackles crack their throats of bone in the smooth air.
Moisture and heat have swollen the garden into a slum of bloom.
Pardie! Summer is like a fat beast, sleepy in mildew....”
—Wallace Stevens (1879–1955)
“No one thinks anything silly is suitable when they are an adolescent. Such an enormous share of their own behavior is silly that they lose all proper perspective on silliness, like a baker who is nauseated by the sight of his own eclairs. This provides another good argument for the emerging theory that the best use of cryogenics is to freeze all human beings when they are between the ages of twelve and nineteen.”
—Anna Quindlen (20th century)