Originally Posted by
Sunfish
Aren't IFR aircraft supposed to be separated from each other by the controllers?
No, not in Class G airspace. They get traffic information on the other aircraft, and are then responsible for separating themselves.
Originally Posted by
Sunfish
If they can't keep two light IFR aircraft apart, how can they keep Qantas and similar large aircraft apart?
Qantas and other large aircraft typically operate in class C airspace where ATC do separate the aircraft. However there are places where they operate in Class G and have to provide their own separation. They do have TCAS as a backup.
Originally Posted by
Sunfish
Being selfish, what is to stop an IFR aircraft from running into me in my bugsmasher?
Assuming you are operating VFR, see and avoid (which is much easier than IFR can't see and avoid) with TCAS as a backup if you have a transponder.