TCAS

Question 1

True or False. TCAS issues Resolution Advisories (RA) to advise the flight crew to modify vertical speed to avoid a potential mid-air collision.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

True or False. TCAS is designed to work INDEPENDENTLY of the aircraft navigation equipment and ground systems (ATC).

Answer 2

True.

Question 3

True or False. TCAS functions according to time criteria not distance. By interrogating intruder transponders and determining relative bearing and altitude, TCAS calculates the time to reach the CLOSEST POINT OF APPROACH (CPA) with the intruder, by dividing the range by the closure rate to determine if the intruder poses a threat of collision. The Time to intercept or TAU.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

What are the four different TCAS boundaries.

Answer 4

Others
PA (Proximate)
TA (traffic)
RA (resolution)

Question 5

In TCAS, this boundary is 6 nm laterally and +/- 1200 ft vertically.

Answer 5

Proximate

Question 6

This boundary is +/- 1200 ft vertically, but the lateral edges are based on time. This time can vary from 25 to 48 seconds depending on altitude (longer times at higher altitudes). Closure rate will affect exactly where the boundaries are.

Answer 6

TA boundary

Question 7

This boundary has vertical limit that varies according to altitude between 750 ft to 950 feet. The lateral edge is based on time (like TA), and varies between 15 secs to 35 secs.

Answer 7

RA boundary.

Question 8

What TCAS version is ICAO-mandated for worldwide operations.

Answer 8

TCAS II Version 7.0

Question 9

This was introduced that included the features of TCAS II, Class A TAWS and Mode S XPNDR with ADS-B capabilities.

Answer 9

T3CAS

Question 10

This TCAS II version design was mandated to improve safety performance.

Answer 10

TCAS II version 7.1

Question 11

In the context of TCAS, what CPA stand for?

Answer 11

Closest Point of Approach

Question 12

This TCAS version addresses late issuance of reversal RAs and potential failures to initiate initiate reverse RAS.

Answer 12

TCAS VERSION 7.1

Question 13

Within what height above ground level will TCAS not track and display an aircraft?

Answer 13

116 m or 380 ft

Question 14

TCAS may not display all proximate transponder-equipped aircraft in areas of high-density traffic; however it will still issue RAs as necessary. What is the term for this feature of TCAS?

Answer 14

Interference Limiting. The primary objective of which is to ensure that TCAS interrogations do not saturate the ATC Secondary Radar System.

Question 15

TCAS failure causes include loss of information from:

(A)  ADIRS
(B)  RA
(C)  Weather Radar
(D)  None of the above
(E)  Both A and B

Answer 15

E

Question 16

True or False. TCAS will automatically fail if the input from the aircraft’s barometric altimeter, radio altimeter, or transponder is lost.

Answer 16

True

Question 17

True or False. The bearing displayed by TCAS is sufficiently accurate to support the initiation of horizontal maneuvers based solely on the traffic display.

Answer 17

False

Question 18

True or False. No TCAS advisory for a target with a vertical speed more than 3048 m/min or 10,000 fpm.

Answer 18

True

Question 19

True or False. TCAS still issue climb and increase climb RAs when operating at the aircraft’s maximum altitude or certified ceiling.

Answer 19

True

Question 20

All TCAS RA aural annunciation inhibited:

(A) 1650 ft AGL / 1450 ft AGL (+/-100)
(B) 1200 ft AGL / 1000 ft AGL (+/-100)
(C) 1100 ft AGL / 900 ft AGL (+/-100)
(D) 600 ft AGL / 400 ft AGL (+/-100)

Answer 20

(C) 1100 ft AGL / 900 ft AGL (+/-100)

Question 21

All TCAS TA aural annunciation inhibited:

(A) 1650 ft AGL / 1450 ft AGL (+/-100)
(B) 1200 ft AGL / 1000 ft AGL (+/-100)
(C) 1100 ft AGL / 900 ft AGL (+/-100)
(D) 600 ft AGL / 400 ft AGL (+/-100)

Answer 21

(D) 600 ft AGL / 400 ft AGL (+/-100)

Question 22

Descend RAs inhibited:

(A) 1650 ft AGL / 1450 ft AGL (+/-100)
(B) 1200 ft AGL / 1000 ft AGL (+/-100)
(C) 1100 ft AGL / 900 ft AGL (+/-100)
(D) 600 ft AGL / 400 ft AGL (+/-100)

Answer 22

(B) 1200 ft AGL / 1000 ft AGL (+/-100)

Question 23

Increase descent RAs inhibited:

(A) 1650 ft AGL / 1450 ft AGL (+/-100)
(B) 1200 ft AGL / 1000 ft AGL (+/-100)
(C) 1100 ft AGL / 900 ft AGL (+/-100)
(D) 600 ft AGL / 400 ft AGL (+/-100)

Answer 23

(A) 1650 ft AGL / 1450 ft AGL (+/-100)

Question 24

In the TA/RA mode of TCAS, on what factor does the warning time or TAU value depend?

(A) Attitude
(B) Ground speed
(C) Altitude
(D) Traffic density

Answer 24

(C) Altitude

Question 25

“TCAS: REDUCE RANGE” message appears when a TA or RA is detected and ND range is above:

(A) 20 NM
(B) 40 NM
(C) 80 NM
(D) 10 NM

Answer 25

(B) 40 NM

Question 26

Which of the following TCAS modes is the standard mode of operation?

(A) STBY
(B) XPNDR
(C) ALT RPTG OFF
(D) TA/RA

Answer 26

(D) TA/RA

Question 27

For what kind of traffic are TA/RA details represented in digital form?

(A) No bearing TA/RA
(B) Non-altitude reporting traffic
(C) Proximate traffic
(D) Non-transponding aircraft

Answer 27

A

Question 28

RA commands MUST be followed even if:

(A) The resultant change of altitude contradicts an ATC instruction prior to, or during the RA.
(B) The aircraft is already at its max certified altitude.
(C) The visual sighting of another aircraft suggests a different maneuver.
(D) The RA commands you to cross the altitude of the intruder.
(E) All of the above.

Answer 28

E

Question 29

While flying, the crew encounters the RA “Adjust vertical speed, adjust.” What should the crew do?

(A) Continue the current vertical speed.
(B) Comply with the RA, crew may need to reduce or increase the vertical speed.
(C) Increase the current vertical speed.
(D) Ignore the RA.

Answer 29

(B)

Question 30

How should the pilot respond to the first RA?

(A) Within 2 seconds.
(B) Immediately and aggressively within 5 seconds.
(C) Immediately and smoothly within 5 seconds
(D) Slowly and smoothly within 5 seconds.

Answer 30

C