TCAS

SSGT Hromek

TCAS =

Traffic Collision Avoidance System

TCAS

• What is TCAS?• How does it work?• Procedures• Limitations

What is TCAS?

• Aircraft collision avoidance on-board system• Checks distances between aircraft• Informs pilot about other planes and advises

the best way how to avoid the incident

How does it work?

• Based on SSR principle• Components

– Computer– Antennas– Cockpit presentation

How does it work?

How does it work?

Procedures

• In case of conflict between an ATC instruction and TCAS advise must pilot obey TCAS – Resolution Advisory (RA)

Limitations

• Expensive (about $50 000)• ATC is not always informed about the advise

given by TCAS to the pilot (depends on SSR)• Demand advise could be outside the

normal/safe envelope of an aircraft• Supporting only vertical maneuvers• Mandatory only in planes carrying 19

passengers and more or aircraft with max. T/O mass of over 5 700 kg

QUESTIONS ?