TCAS Flashcards
True or False. TCAS issues Resolution Advisories (RA) to advise the flight crew to modify vertical speed to avoid a potential mid-air collision.
True
True or False. TCAS is designed to work INDEPENDENTLY of the aircraft navigation equipment and ground systems (ATC).
True.
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.
True
What are the four different TCAS boundaries.
Others
PA (Proximate)
TA (traffic)
RA (resolution)
In TCAS, this boundary is 6 nm laterally and +/- 1200 ft vertically.
Proximate
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.
TA boundary
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.
RA boundary.
What TCAS version is ICAO-mandated for worldwide operations.
TCAS II Version 7.0
This was introduced that included the features of TCAS II, Class A TAWS and Mode S XPNDR with ADS-B capabilities.
T3CAS
This TCAS II version design was mandated to improve safety performance.
TCAS II version 7.1
In the context of TCAS, what CPA stand for?
Closest Point of Approach
This TCAS version addresses late issuance of reversal RAs and potential failures to initiate initiate reverse RAS.
TCAS VERSION 7.1
Within what height above ground level will TCAS not track and display an aircraft?
116 m or 380 ft
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?
Interference Limiting. The primary objective of which is to ensure that TCAS interrogations do not saturate the ATC Secondary Radar System.
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
E
True or False. TCAS will automatically fail if the input from the aircraft’s barometric altimeter, radio altimeter, or transponder is lost.
True
True or False. The bearing displayed by TCAS is sufficiently accurate to support the initiation of horizontal maneuvers based solely on the traffic display.
False
True or False. No TCAS advisory for a target with a vertical speed more than 3048 m/min or 10,000 fpm.
True
True or False. TCAS still issue climb and increase climb RAs when operating at the aircraft’s maximum altitude or certified ceiling.
True
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)
(C) 1100 ft AGL / 900 ft AGL (+/-100)
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)
(D) 600 ft AGL / 400 ft AGL (+/-100)
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)
(B) 1200 ft AGL / 1000 ft AGL (+/-100)
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)
(A) 1650 ft AGL / 1450 ft AGL (+/-100)
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
(C) Altitude
“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
(B) 40 NM
Which of the following TCAS modes is the standard mode of operation?
(A) STBY
(B) XPNDR
(C) ALT RPTG OFF
(D) TA/RA
(D) TA/RA
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
A
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.
E
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.
(B)
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.
C
