3430C01T00 - Ground Collision Avoidance System (GCAS)

3430C01T00 – Ground Collision Avoidance System (GCAS)
C-27J
Ground
Collision
Avoidance
System
(GCAS)
July 2011 – Rev 0

© 2011 Alenia
This document contains Proprietary Information of Alenia Aeronautica. Disclosure to
others, use or copying without express written authorization of Alenia Aeronautica is strictly
prohibited
3430C01T00 – Ground Collision Avoidance System (GCAS) July 2011 – Rev 0
Objectives
 Describe the GCAS purpose and general principle

of operation
 Locate and describe the GCAS controls
 Identify and understand the GCAS aural and visual
and warnings
Use and/or disclosure is governed by the Statement on the title page of this document
Overview
 Description
 Operating states
 Modes of operation
 Mission modes
 Controls
 Annunciations
 ACAWS messages
GCAS General
GCAS is an embedded software computer program
contained within each Mission Computer (MC)
The GCAS provides paired aural and visual warnings
in order to advise the aircrew of impending Controlled
Flight Into Terrain (CFIT)
 The warnings are prioritized in the following levels:
 Initial: advisory, may not require any pilot
response
 Intermediate: requires prompt but moderate
adjustment of the flight controls within 3 to 5
seconds
 Urgent: requires immediate and aggressive
action to initiate a recovery maneuver within 1 or
2 seconds
GCAS Data Interface

Component/System Description
INPUT FROM:
EGI Provides pitch and roll rate, pitch and roll
attitude.
Radar Altimeter Provides height above ground level
DADS Provides barometric corrected altitude, altitude
rate, and calibrated airspeed.
ILS Provides localizer, glideslope, and backcourse.
Flap and Trim System Provides surface positions (flaps and elevator
trim).
Weight on Wheels Provides air/ground state.
Gear Position Provides down and lock state.
OUTPUT TO
CMDU Displays warnings in the upper center.
ICS Provides aural warnings.
GCAS System Block Diagram
GCAS Aural and Visual Warnings
Warnings are prioritized in various warning levels
The aural warnings are provided on the ICS by voice messages and in
case of “PULL-UP !” aural warning a simultaneous WHOOP tone will be
played
The visual warnings are presented in the Special Alert Box at the top
center of the CMDU PFD and HUD
GCAS Operations
GCAS has three stages of operation:
 POWER-UP STATE
 GROUND OPERATION STATE
 FLIGHT OPERATIONS STATE
POWER – UP STATE
 Occurs inmmediately after application of power
 Undergoes to MC PBIT if power is removed in more that one second
 Advances to ground or flight state after completion of power-up if no
failures are detected
GCAS Operations
GROUND OPERATIONS STATE
 Verifies take-off configuration, trim and flaps with Weight on
Wheels (WOW)
FLIGHT OPERATIONS STATE

 Is the normal GCAS operating state and performs warning
functions and CBIT
GCAS performs in the following flight conditions

 Take off and go-around after the aircraft has attained 30 ft radar altitude
 Cruise, including climb and descent and low-level tactical operations
 Approach, including tactical operation
GCAS Operations
The GCAS CSCI (Computer Software Configuration Item) will distinguish
between :
 Takeoff State;
 Approach Flight State;
 Airborne State;
 On-ground Flight State.
using the following logic:
GCAS Operations
Take off State
(Flaps down OR Radar Altitude < 30 Ft ) AND Gear Down AND Radar Altitude <
245 Ft AGL
Approach Flight State

{NOT[((Take Off State AND Radar Altitude > 245 Ft AGL) OR (Take off Sate and
Radar Altitude > 100 Ft with either landing gears up OR flaps not in landing
configuration)) AND Altitude Loss > 310 Ft ]OR ( Barometric Altitude Rate data is
invalid AND Inertial Vertical Speed data is invalid ) OR Tactical Mode active AND
Radar Altitude > 200 Ft AGL }
Ground State
[Radar Altitude ≤ 30 Ft AND ( Airspeed ≤ 80 knots OR Airspeed Invalid )]
Airborne State
[Radar Altitude > 30 ft AND ( Airspeed > 90 knots OR Airspeed Invalid ) OR
( Pitch > 5 ° OR Pitch Invalid )]
GCAS Mission Modes

There are two GCAS Mission Modes:
 NORMAL
 TACTICAL
Both Modes can be accessed from the SAMU “GCAS/STALL” Page.
In the NORMAL mode, GCAS thresholds are based on on normal flight

profiles, aimed to detect CFIT and unsafe FLT conditions
In the TACTICAL mode, GCAS automatically adjusts the warning

envelopes of four operating modes in order to allow the ACFT to be
flown more aggressively and the warnings to be triggered according
the specific FLT conditions
GCAS Modes Of Operation

GCAS provides aural and visual warnings when the aircraft flight path
and
configuration could result in imminent hazardous proximity to terrain.
The various modes are the following:

 Mode 1 - Excessive Descent Rate
 Mode 2 - Excessive Terrain Closure Rate
 Mode 3 - Excessive Altitude Loss after Take-off
 Mode 4 - Unsafe Terrain Clearance
 Mode 5 - Descent Below Glideslope
 Mode 6 - Altitude Advisories
 Mode 7 - Windshear warning (future upgrade)
 Mode 8 - Excessive Bank Angle
 Mode 9 - Improper Take-off Configuration Warnings
Mode 1 - Excessive Sink Rate
GCAS generates intermediate and urgent alerts based on computed sink

rates in all phases of flight regardless of configuration whenever the
aircraft is between 30 and 2450 ft AGL. The higher the altitude, the greater
the sink rate permitted before the warning is triggered. Outer and inner
warning envelopes are provided. Penetration of the outer envelope
activates a ‘SINK RATE’ alert and penetration of the inner envelope
activates a ‘PULL UP’ alert.
NOTE: The pilot should be especially aware at low altitude, because high sink
rates can develop before triggering a GCAS alert
Regardless of aircraft configuration, excessive sink rate will

prompt an intermediate alert, ‘SINK RATE, SINK RATE’. as the
aircraft penetrates the outer boundary: If the situation
deteriorates and the aircraft approaches the inner boundary, an
urgent alert ‘ WHOOP, WHOOP, PULL UP’ is generated.
PFD
PFD
PFD

3.000
12.250 fpm
TERRAIN 2.500 2450 ft
CLEARANCE 2.000
(Feet) 1.500
1.000 2500 fpm
SINK RATE
500 500 ft
902 fpm
30 ft
DESCENT RATE (fpm)
0 2.000 4.000 6.000 8.000 10.000 12.000 14.000
GCAS Submenu Parameters Aural Visual Corrective

Condition Mode Option (airspeeds are corrected) Warning Warning Action
Excessive 1 NORMAL • Between 30-2.450 ft AGL SINK RATE, SINK Decrease sink rate
sink rate • Excessive sink rate SINK RATE RATE to less than 400
• GCAS in Approach state fpm at 200 ft AGL
• Gear and flaps up ranging to less than
• Violate outer boundary 1000 fpm at 600 ft
AGL
• Violate inner boundary WHOOP, PULL UP
WHOOP, Plus 3 Pull up and climb
PULL UP chevrons
on HUD
Mode 2 - Excessive Terrain Closure Rate

GCAS monitors rising ground in the path of the aircraft for all phases of
flight and configurations. It generates warnings to protect the aircraft
from ground impact when it detects that the terrain is rising progressively
and rapidly with respect to the aircraft
The alert envelope is based on 4 variables:

Radar altitude
Rate of radar altitude loss
Aircraft configuration
Airspeed
The envelope limits are:

Upper – 2.450 ft radar altitude
Lower – varies with true airspeed and aircraft configuration
Excessive terrain closure rate prompts an intermediate alert ‘TERRAIN

TERRAIN’ and, if the situation deteriorates, an urgent alert ‘ WHOOP, WHOOP,
PULL UP’
NOTE: The GCAS visual output remains on until the aircraft climbs 300ft
barometric altitude, or the combination of climb and integrated radar altitude
exceeds 300ft. Lowering the flaps also cancels the ‘TERRAIN, TERRAIN’
warnings
PFD
PFD
PFD
PFD

3.000
RADAR 2.500
250 kts
ALTITUDE 2.000 Speed Extension
(Feet) 1.500
TERRAIN PULL UP
190 kts
1.000 TERRAIN
500
30 Terrain Closure RATE
0 2.000 4.000 6.000 8.000 10.000 (fpm)

Mode Option (airspeeds are corrected) Warning Warning Action
Condition TERRAIN,
Excessive 2A NORMAL • Gear and flaps not in landing TERRAIN TERRAIN Lower gear and
If radar
terrain position then PULL flaps for landing or
altitude
closure rate • Aircraft not on ILS approach UP + 3 initiate immediate
continues to
with a gladescope deviation chevrons climb to exit
decrease
less than ± 2 dots on HUD envelope
• Radar altitude decreasing at excessively,
‘WHOOP,
excessive rate depending on
WHOOP
airspeed and altitude
PULL UP’
Mode 3 - Excessive Altitude Loss

after Take-off or Go-around
GCAS monitors excessive altitude loss after take-off or go-around
(initiated below 245 ft AGL) and prompts an alert if:
 The altitude is between 30 ft and 2.450

ft
 The aircraft loses excessive altitude
 Gear or flaps are up
 Takeoff Mode
Excessive altitude loss after take-off or go-around prompts an intermediate alert

‘DON’T SINK’

PFD

PFD

PFD

PFD

100
310 ft
80
Altitude * Time 77,5 ft*sec
(Feet * Seconds)
60
40
DON’T SINK
20
10 ft
Altitude Loss (Feet)
100 200 300 400 500

Excessive • 30-2.450 ft radar altitude Climber to
3 NORMAL DON’T DON’T
altitude loss • Flaps or gear up recover lost
• Go-around if aircraft descend SINK SINK
after take-off altitude
below 245 ft AGL with gear
recycled
• Excessive altitude loss
Mode 4 - Unsafe Terrain Clearance

900
225 kts
800
700
600
TERRAIN CLEARANCE
500
(Feet)
400
300 159 kts
245
TOO LOW TOO LOW
FLAPS TERRAIN
AIRSPEED (Knots)
120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300

Unsafe Terrain • Cruise or Approach state
4A/B NORMAL TOO LOW TOO LOW Lower flaps or
clearance • Gear down, flaps not in landing climb
FLAPS FLAPS
configuration
(Erased by
• Between 30ft and 245ft and
HUSH button)
below 159 kts
• Between 30 ft and 800 ft and TOO LOW TOO LOW

above 159 kts TERRAIN TERRAIN
Mode 4 - Unsafe Terrain Clearance

250 kts
1000
900
800
700
TOO LOW
600
TERRAIN CLEARANCE 190 kts TERRAIN
500
(Feet)
400 TOO LOW
300 TERRAIN
190 kts
245
AIRSPEED (Knots)
120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300
GCAS Submenu Parameters Aural Visual

Condition Mode Option (airspeeds are corrected) Warning Warning
Unsafe Terrain • Takeoff
4C NORMAL TOO LOW TOO LOW
clearance • Between 245 ft and 500 ft
TERRAIN TERRAIN
• Below 190 kts
Unsafe Terrain
4C NORMAL • Go around TOO LOW TOO LOW
clearance
• Between 100 ft and 500 ft TERRAIN TERRAIN
• Below 190 kts
Mode 5 - Excessive Descent Below Glideslope
GCAS provides alerts for excessive glideslope deviation if the aircraft descends
below the glidescope on an ILS approach within 2 envelopes. GCAS monitors
radar altitude, glidescope deviation and descent rate. The soft (outer) envelope
has a variable upper limit of 500 to 1.000 ft dictated by the rate of descent. The
hard (inner) envelope starts at 300 ft and provides an increased audio level
warning. Both have a lower limit of 30ft.
The alert is active in the following conditions

:
•A valid glideslope signal
•Flaps at 50% or greater
•Gear down
•Radar altitude greater than 30 ft
The alert is not active on localizer-only or backcourse localizer approaches. Selecting

GCAS inhibit on the GCAS menu will disable the aural and visual alerts
Excessive descent 1.3 below glidescope prompts an initial alert ‘GLIDESLOPE’

with a steady visual display. If the aircraft continues a descent beyond 2 dots
below glidescope, a louder urgent alert ‘GLIDESLOPE’ is generated with a
flashing visual display.
PFD
PFD
PFD
PFD
Mode 5 - Excessive Descent Below

Glideslope
600
TERRAIN 500
CLEARANCE 400 SOFT ‘GLIDESLOPE’

(Feet) 300
200 LOUD ‘GLIDESLOPE’
150 ft
100
30 ft DESCENT RATE (fpm)
0 1 2 3 4

Excessive 5 NORMAL • Valid glideslope signal Soft GLIDE- Get aircraft back
descent • GCAS in Approach state or GLIDESLOE SLOPE on glideslope
below flaps down at normal
glideslope • Glideslope not erased sound level
• Gear down (continuous)
• Radar altitude above 30 ft
• Between 500 and 1000 ft
AGL: deviation greater than Loud GLIDE- Get aircraft back
1.3 dots GLIDESLOPE SLOPE on glideslope
• Between 30-300 ft AGL: at 6dB above
deviation greater than normal sound
2 dots level
Mode 6 - Altitude Advisories

GCAS provides aural and visual alert of ‘MINIMUMS, MINIMUMS’ and ‘ALTITUDE,
ALTITUDE’ as the aircraft descends through altitudes in the approach configuration.
MINIMUMS MINIMUMS
• is activated by the aircraft descending below either a set minimum
barometric altitude
• is dependent on configuration
• Alert suppresses any subsequent alert in the approach configuration
ALTITUDE ALTITUDE
• is activated by the aircraft descending below a set minimum
radar altitude
• is inhibited if ‘MINIMUS, MINIMUS’ has been activated
• Landing gear up (Tactical mode)

Barometric Altitude Approach
The parameters for this approach are:
• GCAS Normal mode
• Below Ref Set MINS value
• Based on barometric altitude
• Landing gear down

Radar Altitude
The parameters for this approach are:
• GCAS Normal mode
• Below Ref Set RAD ALT value
• Landing gear down
Mode 6: Altitude Advisory

 TACTICAL Mode
 The aural message “ALTITUDE, ALTITUDE” and the visual message
“ALTITUDE” are provided continuously when the aircraft descends
with the LDG gear UP below the DH setting based on the RADAR
reference
Each time the aircraft transits below the DH, the a/m message is
repeated
 If the ACFT descends below 0.66 times the RADAR reference, the
aural “WOOP, WOOP” siren, the “PULL-UP” voice message and the
“PULL-UP” visual message are provided
Mode 8 - Excessive Bank Angle

300
TERRAIN 250 BANK
-61 deg 61 deg
BANK
ANGLE ANGLE
CLEARANCE 200
(Feet) 150
130 ft 130 ft
100
CONTINUOUS -10 deg 10 deg CONTINUOUS
50
BANK ANGLE 30 ft BANK ANGLE
10 ft BANK ANGLE (Degrees)
80 60 40 20 0 20 40 60 80

Excessive 8 NORMAL • A/C above 130 ft AGL and BANK BANK Decrease bank
bank angle bank angle greater than 61 ANGLE ANGLE angle to less
degrees OR Each time than 61 degrees
envelope
exceeded
• A/C between 10-130 ft AGL BANK BANK Decrease bank
and bank angle between 10-61 ANGLE ANGLE angle to less than
degrees Sounded 10 degrees at 10
continuously ft AGL, varying
up to 60 degrees
at 130 ft AGL

GCAS monitors the aircraft’s bank angle. Below 130 ft, GCAS monitors
the following:
 Radar altitude
 Bank angle
 Roll rate
The higher the roll rate, the earlier alert is generated. As the altitude increases, the
alert is triggered at progressively greater bank angles.
The alert remains active until the bank angle is back within limits. Above 130 ft the
GCAS monitors bank angle and radar altitude.
Above 130 ft a single aural alert is activated if the bank angle

exceeds 61 degrees. The visual alert remains on the HUD and
PDF displays as long as bank angle exceeds 61 degrees. Below
130 ft, bank angle alerts are based on a linear scale beginning
at 30 ft and 10 degrees upward to 130 ft and 61 degrees. The
bank angle alerts are continuous below 130 ft.
PFD
Mode 9 - Improper Take-Off Configuration

Warnings
 Mode 9 provides take-off warnings for improper flap and
trim setting
 The warning is active when WOW, Parking Brakes
released and either PLA is above 38° in Normal and
Tactical mission modes
 A continous “FLAPS, FLAPS” aural message separated
by 3’’ are announced if flaps are not in TO configuration
 A continous “TRIM, TRIM” aural messages separated by
3’’ are announced if trim tabs are not in TO configuration
 In addition a flashing “FLAPS” or “TRIM” visual message
is displayed on PFD and HUD
GCAS Controls
GCAS SAMU Menu

1. NORMAL/TACTICAL
 NORMAL: default mode
 TACTICAL: allows more aggressive flying
allows for assault type LDGs
2. GS INHIBIT: inhibit GCAS message GLIDESLOPE
3. FLAP INHIBIT: inhibit aural and visual GCAS message
TOO LOW FLAPS
4. OFF/ON: allows GCAS to be turned ON or OFF
when disabled, GCAS OFF ACAWS
Advisory message is displayed
SAMU Menu
GCAS Controls
 GLIDESLOPE
 TOO LOW FLAPS
 Can be canceled
by pressing HUSH
button on either
control wheel
CCAS CMDU PFD Display
GCAS Special Alerts are displayed on a

dedicated alphanumeric area of the CMDU PFD
GCAS ACAWS Messages

SPECIAL ALERT
ALTITUDE
PULL UP (Whoop, whoop)
BANK ANGLE
SINK RATE
DON'T SINK
TERRAIN
FLAPS
TOO LOW FLAPS
TOO LOW GEAR
GLIDESLOPE (Loud)
TOO LOW TERRAIN
GLIDESLOPE (Soft)
MINIMUM TRIM and EMERGENCY TRIM
GCAS ACAWS messages
GCAS FAIL
GCAS OFF
Key Points
 The Ground Collision Avoidance System (GCAS) is an embedded
software computer program contained within each of the Mission
Computers (MC)
 The GCAS provides the aircrew with paired aural and visual warnings
in order to prevent Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) and unsafe
flight conditions
 Aural warnings by ICS voice message
 Visual warnings on HUD and CMDU PFD
 The GCAS tactical mode allows for more aggressive maneuvers and
approach types
 Some warnings can be silenced using the HUSH button on the control
wheel
 The GCAS is interfaced via the MCS with the radar altimeter, the DADS
and the WOW systems
 The GCAS is controlled via a SAMU dedicated submenu.
Questions?

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3430C01T00 – Ground Collision Avoidance System (GCAS)

July 2011 – Rev 0

 Describe the GCAS purpose and general principle

GCAS Data Interface

GCAS System Block Diagram

GCAS Aural and Visual Warnings

Warnings are prioritized in various warning levels

FLIGHT OPERATIONS STATE

GCAS performs in the following flight conditions

using the following logic:

Approach Flight State

GCAS Mission Modes

Both Modes can be accessed from the SAMU “GCAS/STALL” Page.

In the NORMAL mode, GCAS thresholds are based on on normal flight

In the TACTICAL mode, GCAS automatically adjusts the warning

GCAS Modes Of Operation

The various modes are the following:

Mode 1 - Excessive Sink Rate

GCAS generates intermediate and urgent alerts based on computed sink

Mode 1 - Excessive Sink Rate

Regardless of aircraft configuration, excessive sink rate will

Mode 1 - Excessive Sink Rate

Mode 1 - Excessive Sink Rate

Mode 1 - Excessive Sink Rate

Mode 1 - Excessive Sink Rate

GCAS Submenu Parameters Aural Visual Corrective

Mode 2 - Excessive Terrain Closure Rate

The alert envelope is based on 4 variables:

The envelope limits are:

Mode 2 - Excessive Terrain Closure Rate

Excessive terrain closure rate prompts an intermediate alert ‘TERRAIN

Mode 2 - Excessive Terrain Closure Rate

Mode 2 - Excessive Terrain Closure Rate

Mode 2 - Excessive Terrain Closure Rate

Mode 2 - Excessive Terrain Closure Rate

Mode 2 - Excessive Terrain Closure Rate

GCAS Submenu Parameters Aural Visual Corrective

Mode 3 - Excessive Altitude Loss

 The altitude is between 30 ft and 2.450

Excessive altitude loss after take-off or go-around prompts an intermediate alert

Mode 3 - Excessive Altitude Loss

Mode 3 - Excessive Altitude Loss

Mode 3 - Excessive Altitude Loss

Mode 3 - Excessive Altitude Loss

Mode 3 - Excessive Altitude Loss

GCAS Submenu Parameters Aural Visual Corrective

Mode 4 - Unsafe Terrain Clearance

GCAS Submenu Parameters Aural Visual Corrective

• Between 30 ft and 800 ft and TOO LOW TOO LOW

Mode 4 - Unsafe Terrain Clearance

GCAS Submenu Parameters Aural Visual

Mode 5 - Excessive Descent Below Glideslope

Mode 5 - Excessive Descent Below Glideslope

The alert is active in the following conditions

The alert is not active on localizer-only or backcourse localizer approaches. Selecting

Mode 5 - Excessive Descent Below Glideslope

Excessive descent 1.3 below glidescope prompts an initial alert ‘GLIDESLOPE’

Mode 5 - Excessive Descent Below Glideslope

Mode 5 - Excessive Descent Below Glideslope

Mode 5 - Excessive Descent Below Glideslope

Mode 5 - Excessive Descent Below Glideslope

Mode 5 - Excessive Descent Below

CLEARANCE 400 SOFT ‘GLIDESLOPE’