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Traffic alert and collision avoidance system: Difference between revisions
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Traffic alert and collision avoidance system (view source)
Revision as of 21:06, 6 January 2011
, 6 January 2011→Introduction
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= Introduction = | = Introduction = | ||
TCAS monitors the airspace around an aircraft for other aircraft, independent of air traffic control, and warns pilots of the presence of other aircraft which may present a threat of mid-air collision. TCAS uses aural annunciation of all warnings - similar to the [[ | TCAS monitors the airspace around an aircraft for other aircraft, independent of air traffic control, and warns pilots of the presence of other aircraft which may present a threat of mid-air collision. TCAS uses aural annunciation of all warnings - similar to the [[ground proximity warning system]]. | ||
Rather than using fixed distances, threats are detected on a basis of time to conflict. Any aircraft on a flight path causing a conflict within the next 20-50 seconds triggers a traffic warning ( | Rather than using fixed distances, threats are detected on a basis of ''time to conflict''. Any aircraft on a flight path causing a conflict within the next 20-50 seconds triggers a traffic warning. Traffic coming even closer (15-35 seconds) may also trigger a resolution advisory - i.e. advise each pilot of conflicting aircraft to climb or descend to provide optimal vertical separation. | ||
Threat detection sensitivity increases with altitude, assuming that planes should have a much higher separation at high altitudes, while only a minimum separation can be maintained when flying low - usually in the vicinity of the destination or departure airport. TCAS II increases the threat sensitivity in 7 steps: from 20 seconds at 1000ft to 50 seconds above 20000ft for traffic alerts, and from 15 to 35 seconds for resolution advisories. | |||
== Features == | == Features == | ||