Super 80 Professional – AOM
WARNING SYSTEMS
Section 24 Page 10
Super 80 Professional – Aircraft Operating Manual
Coolsky, 2018
TCAS/VSI
General
Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) is
an aircraft proximity warning system that
identifies nearby transponder equipped
aircraft and provides vertical guidance to
ensure altitude separation from other aircraft
equipped with altitude reporting
transponders.
The system can display up to 30 aircraft and
simultaneously coordinate a resolution
advisory for up to three threat aircraft.
The purpose of TCAS is to provide an
independent means of ensuring safe aircraft
separation, prevent mid-air collisions,
increase traffic awareness, and assist in
establishing visual contact with other
aircraft. However, TCAS does not alleviate a
pilot’s responsibility of maintaining safe visual
separation from other aircraft.
TCAS Advisories
A Traffic Advisory (TA) identifies traffic which
is projected to pass at less than IFR
separation standards and present a
potential conflict. An aural alert, “TRAFFI
TRAFFIC”, calls the attention of the pilot to
the TCAS display, where the TA is
represented by a solid yellow circle.
A Resolution Advisory (RA) identifies traffic
which represents an immediate threat. The
RA is represented by a solid red square on
the TCAS display. Red and green areas on
the VSI scale identify the required vertical
rates which will ensure satisfying altitude
separation. An RA will attempt to ensure at
least 500 feet altitude separation.
There are four categories of RAs:
•
Preventive RA: An RA that required
the pilot to maintain an existing
vertical speed or to avoid certain
vertical speeds.
•
Corrective RA: An RA that required
the pilot to modify the current
vertical speed.
•
Updated RA: An RA which requires
additional climb or descent rate,
after an initial corrective RA, to
ensure safe vertical separation.
•
Reversal RA: An RA which requires a
reversal of vertical speed after an
initial corrective RA to achieve safe
vertical separation.
