Appendix A
(1) “INCREASE CLIMB, INCREASE CLIMB”--climb at the rate depicted by the green (fly-to) arc on the IVSI, nominally between 2,500 and 3,000 fpm. Received after “CLIMB” advisory, and indicates additional climb rate is required to achieve safe vertical separation from a maneuvering aircraft.
(2) “INCREASE DESCENT, INCREASE DESCENT”--descend at the rate depicted by the green (fly-to) arc on the IVSI, nominally between 2,500 and 3,000 fpm. Received after “DESCEND” advisory, and indicates additional descent rate is required to achieve safe vertical separation from a maneuvering aircraft.
(3) “CLIMB – CLIMB NOW, CLIMB – CLIMB NOW”--climb at the rate depicted by the green (fly-to) arc on the IVSI, nominally between 1,500 and 2,000 fpm. Received after a “DESCEND” resolution advisory and indicates a reversal in direction is required to achieve safe vertical separation from a maneuvering threat aircraft.
(4) “DESCEND – DESCEND NOW, DESCEND – DESCEND NOW”-descend at the rate depicted by the green (fly-to) arc on the IVSI, nominally between 1,500 and 2,000 fpm.
Received after a “CLIMB” resolution advisory and indicates a reversal in direction is required to achieve safe vertical separation from a maneuvering threat aircraft.
A-3
Appendix A Figure A-1. TCAS II/Transponder Control Panel (Example) Table A-1. TCAS II/Transponder Function Selector TEST Holding the TCAS II/Transponder function selector in TEST for 2 to 3 seconds will activate the system test sequence. In the TEST position, read maintenance messages on the display. Use discretion when selecting TEST in flight, since both TCAS II and the transponder will be inhibited for approximately 20 seconds. The function selector is spring loaded to STBY.
STBY Activates TCAS II and XPDR warmup cycles.
XPDR Transponder is on. TCAS II is in warmup cycle.
TA Transponder is on. Only the “Traffic Advisory”, or “TA” function of the TCAS II is on. No “Resolution Advisories” will be received in this position. The written warning “TA ONLY” will appear on the display, and the yellow “RA OFF” flag will be in view on both IVSIs.
TA/RA Transponder is on. All TCAS II functions are on. No TCAS II flags should be present on either IVSI.
XPDR Fail Light (Red) Indicates a transponder system failure when the transponder is on. Comes on during “TEST”, but goes off after approximately 3 seconds if the transponder is OK.
Code Indicator Indicates code selected with the code selectors.
IDENT Causes the word IDENT to flash in the aircraft data block on the ATC display.
ALT RPTG Provides automatic altitude reporting to ATC.
Code Selectors Select the transponder code. Left and right selectors consist of a large knob and a small knob. Each knob controls one digit of the code.
A-4
Appendix A Figure A-2. TCAS II – Traffic Display (Example) Table A-2. Displayed Aircraft Symbols (Examples) Arrow indicates that the target is climbing ↑ or descending ↓ at a rate of at least 500 fpm.
Relative altitude is displayed in the proximity of the aircraft symbol in hundreds of feet. A “+” preceding the relative altitude indicates the target is above you and a “-“ indicates it is below you.
Unfilled white diamond. Non-threatening traffic without altitude reporting. If altitude reporting, the altitude data will be displayed.
+07 Solid White diamond. Proximity traffic 700 feet above. Non-threatening, altitude reporting traffic within 1200 feet vertically and 6nm horizontally. Aircraft without altitude reporting will be assumed to be co-altitude and will be displayed as a solid diamond when within 6nm even though they may not be within 1200 feet vertically.
↓ -03 Solid yellow circle. “TA”, 300 feet below, descending with a rate of at least 500 fpm.
+00 Solid red square. “RA”, level at your altitude.
Own-ship. Airplane symbol in white just below the center of CRT. On a dedicated display or when in the TFC Mode on a combination TCAS II/RADAR Display.
(Compass Arc) This arc is repeater of the Captains compass. (Not required for TCAS II Display) (Range Rings) 3nm – Small ring with ticks at clock positions 5 NM – Large ring made of dots.
A-5
Appendix A Figure A-3. TCAS II Traffic Display (Example) Table A-3A. Paddle Switch REL ALT/FL Switch REL ALT Paddle switch is spring loaded to the center position. Display shows relative altitude “REL ALT” in hundreds of feet above (+) or below (-) your aircraft.
FL Allows display of traffic flight levels, referenced to 29.92, for 15 seconds. Your FL is displayed in lower left corner. Three digits are shown, except for negative flight levels that are shown as – xxx. When the current barometric pressure is not available and the TCAS II aircraft is below FL 180, the FL position is automatically inhibited.
RANGE The maximum forward range on the traffic display is set at range selected by the range knob. Ranges of 3, 5, 10, 20 NM are available and the selected range is annunciated on the traffic display.
BRT Knob Controls brightness of the display.
A-6
Appendix A Table A-3B. Above/Norm/Below Switch ABOVE Displays altitude-reporting traffic from 2700 feet below to 9900 feet above the TCAS II aircraft. The selection of this mode is annunciated by ABOVE being displayed on the traffic display. This selection has no effect on the functioning of the collision avoidance logic.
NORM Displays altitude reporting traffic from 2700 feet below to 2700 feet above the TCAS II aircraft.
BELOW Displays altitude-reporting traffic from 2700 feet above to 9900 feet below the TCAS II aircraft. The selection of this mode is annunciated by BELOW being displayed on the traffic display. This selection has no effect on the functioning of the collision avoidance logic.
OFF-SCALE TRAFFIC ADVISORY - If TCAS II tracks an intruder that is outside the selected range of the display but that has entered the Caution or Warning areas, one-half of the appropriate symbol will appear at the appropriate bearing at the edge of the display area. The symbol will appear in its proper color and have its data tag displayed, providing there is room.
For example, a TA intruder with a high closure rate, and which is directly ahead and 300 feet below your airplane will appear as an amber-filled half circle at the 12 o’clock position on the edge of the display area. The data tag “-03” will appear below the half symbol. If this intruder is above your altitude, the data tag is not visible. An off-scale RA intruder will appear as a redfilled half square with data tag displayed if room permits.
NO BEARING ADVISORIES - When TCAS II cannot track the bearing of an intruder, the traffic advisory will appear in the lower center of the display just below the own-airplane symbol. The advisory will present appropriate color-coded traffic information. This phenomenon usually is caused either by temporary antenna shielding (caused by steep bank angles) or a failure in the TCAS II bearing antenna. Up to two lines of information can be displayed. “TA 5.2 -06↑” for example means an intruder is creating a Traffic Advisory 5.2 nautical miles away, 600 feet below, and climbing in excess of 500 FPM. This advisory is written in amber or yellow. “RA 0.6 00” means resolution advisory traffic is 0.6 nautical miles away at the same altitude. This advisory is written in red. TCAS II’s ability to compute a traffic or resolution advisory is not degraded by lack of bearing information.
A-7
Appendix A Figure A-4. TCAS II Instantaneous Vertical Speed Indicator (Example) Red Arc Green Arc Key to Colors in Figures A-8
Appendix A Table A-1. Instantaneous Vertical Speed Indicator Indicates vertical speed in feet per minute. The IVSI is a normal instantaneous vertical speed indicator, and the presence of the lights or the flags will not interfere with the ability of the needle to indicate vertical speeds.
RED/GREEN EYEBROW LIGHTS. Eyebrow lights are invisible until they illuminate as part of a TCAS II “RESOLUTION ADVISORY”, or system “TEST”. These lights indicate a vertical speed regime which will provide safe traffic separation. The green lights form a wider band than red lights.
IVSI Status Window Flags T C BLACK. Normal operation. A S T C AMBER FLAG. Indicates Unusable TCAS II information. A S RT WHITE “RA OFF” FLAG. Always displayed when TCAS
A C II/TRANSPONDER function selector is in STBY, XPDR, or TA. Will also OA be displayed with selector in RA/TA if “RAs” are inhibited and/or FS inoperative.
F
A-9
Appendix A Figure A-5. TCAS II Examples - Preventive RAS NOTE: No change in vertical speed is required when these RAs are issued.
VERTICAL VERTICAL
SPEED SPEED
(a) Preventive Aural: MONITOR VERTICAL SPEED Pilot Response: No action required Maintain the vertical speed within the green arc.
(b) Preventive Aural: MONITOR VERTICAL SPEED Pilot Response: No Action Required. If a descent is initiated, it must be limited to less than 500 fpm.
Red Arc Green Arc
VERTICAL Key to Colors in Figures SPEED
(c) Preventive Aural: MONITOR VERTICAL SPEED Pilot Response: No action required.
Descent rate cannot be greater than 2,000 fpm.
A-10
Appendix A Figure A-6. TCAS II Examples - Initial Corrective RAS NOTE: Pilot response to these initial corrective RAs is expected within 5 seconds.
Pilots should promptly and smoothly fly to the green arc.
VERTICAL VERTICAL
SPEED SPEED
(a) Corrective Aural: DESCEND, DESCEND Pilot Response: Smoothly establish a descent rate between 1,500 fpm and 2,000 fpm
(b) Corrective Aural: CLIMB, CLIMB Pilot Response: Smoothly establish a climb rate between 1,500 fpm and 2,000 fpm.
Red Arc VERTI Green Arc SPEED Key to Colors in Figures
(c) Corrective Aural:
LEVEL OFF, LEVEL OFF Pilot Response: Smoothly reduce vertical speed to zero 1pm.
A-11
Appendix A Figure A-7. TCAS III Examples - Modifications to Initial Corrective RAs NOTE: Pilot response to these modified RAs is expected within
2.5 seconds. Pilots should promptly and smoothly fly to the green arc.
VERTICAL VERTICAL, 6
SPEED SPEED
(a) Increase Aural: INCREASE DESCENT, INCREASE
DESCENT Pilot Response: Increase the descent rate, fly to the green arc, 2,500 fpm to 3,000 fpm
(b) Reversal Aural: CLIMB, CLIMB NOW Pilot Response: Reverse descent rate and immediately start a climb between1,500 fpm and 2,000 fpm Red Arc Green Arc
VERTICAL Key to Colors in Figures SPEED
(c) Weakening Aural:
LEVEL OFF, LEVEL OFF Pilot Response: Smoothly reduce vertical speed to between 0 and - 250 fpm.
A-12
Appendix A SECTION I – LIMITATIONS.
(1) Pilots are authorized to deviate from their current ATC clearance to comply with a TCAS II resolution advisory (RA).
(2) Maneuvers based solely on a traffic advisory (TA) or on information displayed on the traffic display are not authorized.
SECTION II - EMERGENCY PROCEDURES.
(1) No change from basic airplane flight manual.
SECTION III – PROCEDURES.
(1) TCAS II Flight Procedures:
Compliance with a TCAS II resolution advisory (RA) is necessary unless the pilot considers it unsafe to do so, or unless the pilot has information about the cause of the RA and can maintain safe separation for example visual acquisition of, and safe separation from, a nearby aircraft on a parallel approach.
NOTE: CAUTION! Once a non-crossing RA has been issued, safe operation could be compromised if current vertical speed is changed, except as necessary to comply with the RA. This is because TCAS II-to-TCAS II coordination may be in progress with the intruder airplane, and any change in vertical speed that does not comply with the RA may negate the effectiveness of the other airplane’s compliance with its RA.
NOTE: WARNING. Noncompliance with a crossing RA by one airplane may result in reduced vertical separation; therefore, safe horizontal separation must also be assured by visual means.
Because of the limited number of inputs to TCAS II for airplane performance inhibits, in some instances where inhibiting RAs may be appropriate it is not possible to do so. In these cases, TCAS II may command maneuvers that may significantly reduce stall margins or result in stall warning. Therefore, the stall warning stick shaker must be respected when following an RA. Conditions where this may occur include:
(a) Bank angle in excess of 15 degrees.
(b) One engine inoperative.
(c) Abnormal configurations such as landing gear not retractable, etc.
(d) Leaving airplane in inappropriate configurations when climb RA occurs.
A-13
Appendix A
(e) Operation at airports outside of 0 to 5,300 feet MSL or temperatures outside of ISA ±50°F.
(f) Speeds below normal operating speeds.
(g) Buffet margin less than 0.3 g.
The TCAS II RA algorithms are based on the pilot initiating the initial 0.25 g acceleration maneuver within approximately 5 seconds. Pilot response is expected within approximately 2.5 seconds if an additional RA is issued. (The increase rate and rate reversal RAs are based on a
0.35 g acceleration maneuver.) Because of these requirements and the rate limits of the autopilots, all RA responses must be hand-flown and not with the autopilot or autothrottles engaged.
NOTE: Evasive maneuvering should be limited to the minimum required to comply with the RA. Excessive responses to RAs are not desirable or appropriate because of other potential traffic and ATC consequences. From level flight, proper response to an RA typically results in an overall altitude deviation of 300 to 500 feet in order to successfully resolve a traffic conflict.
Modified advisories are posted after the response to an initial advisory has been completed and the TCAS II airplane is projected to have adequate altitude separation from the intruder. The initial RA is said to weaken, indicating a return towards the original flight path or clearance is allowed. When the initial advisory weakens, the green arc is repositioned to indicate level flight, the magnitude of the red arc decreased, and “LEVEL OFF, LEVEL OFF” is announced. The modified RA indicates a return to level flight so that the altitude displacement in response to the initial RA can be minimized. This RA will remain displayed until the “CLEAR OF CONFLICT” aural annunciation is issued. Following the weakening advisory will greatly reduce the ultimate altitude deviation caused by the original corrective resolution advisory.
If a “CLIMB” RA is issued while in the landing configuration, initiate normal go-around procedures.
NOTE: Initiating go-around procedure for a “CLIMB” RA does not mandate a missed approach. It is intended to ensure the airplane is properly configured for the TCAS II maneuver. In most cases, the TCAS II event will be resolved with only minor deviation to the intended flight path, and sufficient time and altitude may exist to recover safely to the desired flight path.
The pilot should not initiate evasive maneuvers using information from the traffic display only or on a traffic advisory (TA) only without visually sighting the traffic. These displays and advisories are intended only for assistance in visually locating the traffic and lack the flight path trends necessary for use in evasive maneuvering. However, unnecessary resolution advisories can be issued by TCAS II when other aircraft are operating at an altitude adjacent to the one that has been assigned to the climbing or descending TCAS aircraft. When climbing or descending A-14