EQPS - Comparisons of Surveillance Technologies

Question 1

What are the advantages of PSR over SSR? (5)

Answer 1

1. Self contained
2. Independent operation
3. Non-reliant
4. Permanent Echoes
5. Weather Information

Question 2

What are the disadvantages of PSR over SSR? (6)

Answer 2

1. No level information
2. Identification
3. Weather clutter
4. Permanent echoes
5. Range dependent (Transmitter power, target size, target attitude etc.)
6. No emergency indication

Question 3

What are the advantages of SSR over PSR? (6)

Answer 3

1. Less transmitter power needed for a similar range
2. No ground or weather clutter
3. Identification of aircraft simplified and displayed
4. Vertical position information displayed
5. Emergency squawk codes
6. Independent of the equivalent echoing area

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of SSR over PSR? (6)

Answer 4

1. All Aircraft require a transponder
2. No weather returns
3. Fruit
4. Garbling
5. Fading
6. No permanent echoes for display alignment (calibration)

Question 5

What distance of errors can be substantial when PSR & PSR are not synchronised together? (1)

Answer 5

3-5 miles apart

Question 6

What is STCA? (2)

Answer 6

STCA - Short term Conflict Alert

Is a ground-based safety net intended to assist the controller in preventing collision between aircraft by generating, in a timely manner, an alert of a potential or actual infringement of separation minima

Question 7

What is MTCD? (6)

Answer 7

MTCD - Medium-Term Conflict Detection

Predicts up to 20 minutes ahead:

1. Trajectory prediction
2. Trajectory Update
3. Trajectory Edition
4. Conflict Detection

”TTTC”

Question 8

What is MSAW? (2)

Answer 8

MSAW - Minimum Safe Altitude Warning

A ground-based safety net intended to warn the controller about increased risk of controlled flight into terrain accidents by generating, in a timely manner, an alert of aircraft proximity to terrain or obstacles

Question 9

What is RIMCAS? (2)

Answer 9

RIMCAS - Runway Incursion Monitor and Collision Avoidance System

Provides Tower controllers with audio and visual warnings of potential conflictions on runways

(PSR and SSR returns can both trigger RIMCAS)

Question 10

What is AFDAS? (2)

Answer 10

AFDAS - Approach Funnel Deviation Alerting System

Automatically monitors aircraft on final approach and provides visual and aural alert to Tower controller of any significant lateral or vertical deviation from final approach track or glide path

Question 11

What is CAIT? (2)

Answer 11

CAIT - Controlled Airspace Infringement Tool

Radar system monitors squawks and mode C readouts to alert radar controller to any unauthorised entries into controlled airspace

Question 12

What is pCAIT? (2)

Answer 12

pCAIT - Primary CAIT

Detects non squawking aircraft entering CAS which extends upwards from the surface with no upper limit