Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 400; Flight Crew Type 300
Situational Awareness
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
My student and I were on an IFR flight plan to SSI; during climb (approximate 13 nm north of DAB) ATC gave us a traffic alert. I read back the traffic alert; but because I was distracted teaching I did not pay attention for the location of the traffic. When I finished what I wanted to say to my student; I started to look for the traffic and just before asking ATC for an update of the position of the traffic; I saw the traffic (a DA42) taking evasive action (steep descent and a turn). The DA42 was very close to our airplane; I estimate that the traffic was 200ft or 300ft below us and around 1;500ft horizontal. I did not took evasive action since the aircraft was in a non collision course when I saw it. I believe that I had an overconfidence with ATC; thinking that they were going to separate us from any traffic. It was a reminder for me that there is other traffic that is flying VFR and are not contacting ATC. Also; that I am responsible of separation of my aircraft with other aircraft during VMC. Next time that I receive a traffic alert; I will interrupt my teaching and search for the traffic.
C172 instructor pilot reported he failed to maintain proper see and avoid technique when he was distracted by student instruction.