TRAFFIC

ALERT
AND
COLLISION
AVOIDANCE
SYSTEM

(TCAS)
TRAFFIC ALERT AND COLLISION
AVOIDANCE SYSTEM (TCAS)
 Function
1. Increases Situational Awareness
2. Prevents mid-air collisions
 Compulsion by International Law
Aircrafts having more than 19 passengers or MTOW of 5700kg or
above
How does TCAS works?

It issues:
 1. Traffic Advisory (TA)
Aural Advisory “Traffic, Traffic”
 2. VERTICAL Resolution Advisory(RA)
Aural Advisory “Climb, Climb” OR “Descend, Descend”
Range of Advisory issued?
TRAFFIC ALERT AND COLLISION
AVOIDANCE SYSTEM (TCAS)
 Output
1. System Specific Display(TCAS Display)
2. Integrated Navigational Display(ND)
System Specific Display
Integrated Navigational Display(ND)
Symbols on TCAS Display
White Empty Diamond
Normal Traffic

White Filled Diamond

Proximate Traffic

Yellow or Amber Filled Circle

Traffic Advisory(TA)

Red Filled Circle

Resolution Advisory(RA)
How does TCAS communicates?

 TCAS communicates using Mode “S” Transponder

TYPES OF TRANSPONDERS
 Mode “A” Transponder: Identification code only
 Mode “C” Transponder: Flight level in increments of 100 (FL340)
(TCAS offers Traffic Advisory below FL155)
 Mode “S” Transponder: Corrective measure + Data Sharing
(Traffic Advisories and Vertical Resolution Advisories offered)
Mode “C” Transponder
Mode “S” Transponder
Types of TCAS

 TCAS I- 40 Miles
 TCAS II-TA & VRA
 TCAS III-TA,VRA & HRA
 TCAS IV-Encodes its position and sends to other aircraft in response to
interogation