TCAS Equipment

Question 1

What is TCAS?

Answer 1

Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System

Question 2

What is the purpose of TCAS?

Answer 2

Provide collision avoidance capabilities to pilots using airborne equipment

Question 3

What will the TCAS do when potential collision hazard identified?

Answer 3

• Issue traffic advisory (TA) that alerts pilot to traffic that may be a conflict
• Provide resolution advisory (RA) that gives pilot means to avoid conflict

Question 4

What is TCAS I?

Answer 4

• Includes computer and pilot display - Providing TAs to help pilot visually acquire intruder aircraft and avoid potential collisions
• Does not provide RAs

Question 5

What is TCAS II?

Answer 5

• Includes computer, pilot display, and Mode S transponder
• Capable of providing both TAs and RAs

Question 6

What is a transponder?

Answer 6

Aircraft receiver-transmitter that sends coded signal to ground-based equipment and aircraft TCAS equipment

Question 7

What are the three modes of transponder?

Answer 7

• Mode A
• Mode C
• Mode S

Question 8

What is Mode A?

Answer 8

Transmits an identifying code that allows surveillance equipment to display a target

Question 9

What is Mode C?

Answer 9

Transmits same information as Mode A, plus aircraft altitude, for display on both surveillance and TCAS equipment

Question 10

What is Mode S?

Answer 10

Transmits same information as Mode C, plus it permits data exchange between aircraft

Question 11

What is the TCAS computer?

Answer 11

Performs airspace surveillance, threat detection, and resolution

Question 12

What is the TCAS display?

Answer 12

• TA display shows position of traffic relative to TCAS aircraft
• RA display indicates whether pilot should initiate climb or descent and the vertical rate of climb or descent that must be achieved to increase separation from threatening aircraft

Question 13

What are the four levels TCAS will classify the intruders?

Answer 13

• Intruder
• Threat
• Proximate traffic
• Other traffic