TCAS II version 7.
1
Overview for pilots
Version 1.0 12 January 2012
www.eurocontrol.int/acas
TCAS II version 7.1 Overview for pilots January 2012 EUROCONTROL [email protected] The European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation
Note: This presentation material has been designed to support the training of people involved in the use of the Airborne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS). However, it is not, per se, designed for the complete training of controllers or pilots. The principal and essential technical and operational features of ACAS are introduced. For a deeper knowledge, the reader is advised to refer to documentation listed in the Resources section. The information contained in this presentation and EUROCONTROL ACAS II Bulletins is considered to be accurate at the time of publishing and is subject to change.
DISCLAIMER 2012 The European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL). This document is published by EUROCONTROL for information purposes. It may be copied in whole or in part provided that EUROCONTROL is mentioned as a source and to the extent justified by the non-commercial use (not for sale). The information in this document may not be modified without prior written permission from EUROCONTROL. The use of this document is at user's sole risk and responsibility. EUROCONTROL expressly disclaims any and all warranties with respect to the document, expressed or implied. Additionally, the disclaimer available under www.eurocontrol.int/acas applies to the information contained in this presentation.
History of changes Version 1.0 12 January 2012 First release
TCAS II version 7.1 Overview for pilots January 2012 EUROCONTROL
Why?
Who & When?
Whats new?
FAQ
Resources
How to use this presentation?
Use page up/page down keys to move from one slide to the other Jump directly to another section using the tabs at the top of the screen Check www.eurocontrol.int/acas to see if there is an updated version of this presentation available
Please submit any comments/questions regarding this presentation material to: [email protected]
TCAS II version 7.1 Overview for pilots January 2012 EUROCONTROL
Why?
Who & When?
Whats new?
FAQ
Resources
Why version 7.1?
TCAS II version 7.0 mandated in Europe since 2000 Safety issues identified in version 7.0: Unintentional opposite pilot response to Adjust vertical speed, adjust RAs Level busts following Adjust vertical speed, adjust RAs Flaws in the reversal logic TCAS II version 7.1 will address these safety issues Level off, level off RA Improvements to reversal logic
Note: TCAS versions are backwards compatible
TCAS II version 7.1 Overview for pilots January 2012 EUROCONTROL 4
Why?
Who & When?
Whats new?
FAQ
Resources
Unintentional opposite pilot response to Adjust vertical speed, adjust RAs
Adjust vertical speed, adjust RAs always require reduction of vertical speed
The only RA that does not clearly communicate what exact manoeuvre is required
Numerous cases reported when pilots unintentionally increased vertical speed responding to Adjust vertical speed, adjust RAs
Accidents avoided by chance
FL350
Clear of Conflict
Climb, climb RA
FL340
350 ft
Clear of Conflict
FL330
4500 ft/min.
Adjust vertical speed, adjust RA (1000 ft/min.) TCAS II version 7.1 Overview for pilots January 2012 EUROCONTROL 2500 ft/min. 5
Why?
Who & When?
Whats new?
FAQ
Resources
Level busts following Adjust vertical speed, adjust RAs
Adjust vertical speed, adjust RAs often unnecessarily affected ATC operations
Contribution to level busts (in situations where otherwise there would not have been a level bust) Pilots following green arc not levelling off at the cleared level Reason for RAs on the other aircraft
Climb, climb RA
FL220
FL210
500 ft/min. Level bust
Adjust vertical speed, adjust RA 2500 ft/min. TCAS II version 7.1 Overview for pilots January 2012 EUROCONTROL 6
Why?
Who & When?
Whats new?
FAQ
Resources
Flaws in reversal logic
Version 7.0 will not reverse an RA if two aircraft converging in altitude remain within 100 feet
One aircraft is not responding to RA; or One aircraft is not equipped and follows ATC instruction or visual avoidance 2001 Yaizu accident 2002 berlingen midair collision Several other serious events reported
Contributory factor in 2 accidents:
Descend, descend RA
Climb, climb RA
TCAS II version 7.1 Overview for pilots January 2012 EUROCONTROL
Version 7.0: No reversal
Pilot does not comply with RA or TCAS unequipped aircraft following an ATC instruction or visual avoidance 7
Why?
Who & When?
Whats new?
FAQ
Resources
Who & When?
Aircraft currently equipped with version 7.0 will need to be upgraded to version 7.1 before 1 December 2015 in order to continue to operate in European Community airspace. All new aircraft1 above 5,700 kg Maximum Take-off Mass or with passenger seating capacity above 19 will have to be equipped from 1 March 2012. The above applies to European and foreign aircraft.
Note: The EU Implementing Rule sets an earlier equipage requirements than those published in ICAO Annex 10 (i.e. 1 January 2014 new installations, 1 January 2017 existing units).
Aircraft with an individual certificate of airworthiness issued after 1 March 2012. 8
TCAS II version 7.1 Overview for pilots January 2012 EUROCONTROL
Why?
Who & When?
Whats new?
FAQ
Resources
Whats new?
Level off, level off RA Improvements to the reversal logic
TCAS II version 7.1 Overview for pilots January 2012 EUROCONTROL
Why?
Who & When?
Whats new?
FAQ
Resources
Level off, level off RA (1/6)
New RA introduced in version 7.1: Level off, level off Pilots will reduce the vertical rate to 0 ft/min (i.e. level off) The level off is to be achieved promptly, not at the next flight level It replaces the existing Adjust vertical speed, adjust RA to address the issue of unintentional incorrect pilot responses Applies to both: Initial RAs Weakening RAs
TCAS II version 7.1 Overview for pilots January 2012 EUROCONTROL
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Why?
Who & When?
Whats new?
FAQ
Resources
Level off, level off RA (2/6)
Initial RA
Version 7.0
Version 7.1
2000 ft/min. 1000 ft/min. 500 ft/min. 0 ft/min. 0 ft/min.
Adjust vertical speed, adjust RA
RA requires one of these vertical speeds
Level off, level off RA
RA requires a level-off (vertical speed 0 ft/min)
TCAS II version 7.1 Overview for pilots January 2012 EUROCONTROL
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Why?
Who & When?
Whats new?
FAQ
Resources
Level off, level off RA (3/6)
Initial RA
Pilot actions Reduce the vertical rate to 0 ft/min (i.e. level off) The level off must be achieved promptly, not at the standard next flight level (e.g. FL200, FL210, etc.)
Level off, level off
TCAS II version 7.1 Overview for pilots January 2012 EUROCONTROL
Note: Generic displays are shown.
Why?
Who & When?
Whats new?
FAQ
Resources
Level off, level off RA (4/6)
Weakening RA
An RA will weaken when vertical spacing increases following the initial RA
In version 7.0 the weakening RA also always requires a level off
0 ft/min. 1500 ft/min. Climb. climb RA Adjust vertical speed, adjust RA Clear of conflict
Version 7.1
FL330
Version 7.0
Descend, descend RA 1500 ft/min. Clear of conflict Level off, level off RA 0 ft/min.
TCAS II version 7.1 Overview for pilots January 2012 EUROCONTROL
Note: Versions 7.0 and 7.1 are compatible
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Why?
Who & When?
Whats new?
FAQ
Resources
Level off, level off RA (5/6)
Weakening RA
Weakening RA (typically subsequently to Climb or Descend RA) Reduce the vertical rate to 0 ft/min (i.e. level off) The level off must be achieved promptly, not at the standard next flight level
Level off, level off
TCAS II version 7.1 Overview for pilots January 2012 EUROCONTROL
Note: Generic displays are shown.
Why?
Who & When?
Whats new?
FAQ
Resources
Level off, level off RA (6/6)
Level off, level off RA will reduce instances of: RAs as follow up RAs are less likely Level busts as a result of RA
Version 7.0 Climb, climb RA Version 7.1 Version 7.1
FL220
FL210
500 ft/min Level bust 0 ft/min
Adjust vertical speed, adjust RA 2500 ft/min TCAS II version 7.1 Overview for pilots January 2012 EUROCONTROL 2500 ft/min
Level off, level off RA
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Why?
Who & When?
Whats new?
FAQ
Resources
Improvement to the reversal logic (1/3)
Version 7.1s improved reversal logic recognizes situations when two converging aircraft: remain within 100 feet one aircraft is not responding to the RA or is not equipped A reversal RA (i.e. Climb, climb NOW or Descend, descend NOW) will be issued to the aircraft that is correctly responding to the current RA
TCAS II version 7.1 Overview for pilots January 2012 EUROCONTROL
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Why?
Who & When?
Whats new?
FAQ
Resources
Improvement to the reversal logic (2/3)
Descend, descend RA
Climb, climb NOW RA
Version 7.1: Threats non-compliance detected, reversal RA issued
Climb, climb RA
Version 7.0: No reversal
Pilot does not comply with RA or TCAS unequipped aircraft following an ATC instruction or visual avoidance
TCAS II version 7.1 Overview for pilots January 2012 EUROCONTROL
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Why?
Who & When?
Whats new?
FAQ
Resources
Improvement to the reversal logic (3/3)
Improvement to the reversal logic is transparent for pilots
No change to the required pilot actions: Always follow the RA: Follow the RA even if the RA is contradictory to ATC instructions Respond to reversal RAs within 2.5 seconds. Reversal RAs require a 1,500 ft/min. climb or descent rate
TCAS II version 7.1 Overview for pilots January 2012 EUROCONTROL
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Why?
Who & When?
Whats new?
FAQ
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What pilot training is required? 2. What actions are required by aircraft operators? 3. More Frequently Asked Questions
TCAS II version 7.1 Overview for pilots January 2012 EUROCONTROL
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Why?
Who & When?
Whats new?
FAQ
Resources
What pilot training is required?
Before the new version of TCAS is deployed to their fleets Aircraft Operators should ensure that crews are: aware of the TCAS version upgrade trained on the new Level off, level off RA and understand how to respond correctly to this RA There are no other differences (visible to pilots) between version 7.0 and version 7.1.
TCAS II version 7.1 Overview for pilots January 2012 EUROCONTROL
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Why?
Who & When?
Whats new?
FAQ
Resources
What actions are required by aircraft operators?
Aircraft Operators should ensure that TCAS version 7.1 is deployed on their fleet according to the mandate. Aircraft Operators should also ensure that their flight crews understand the new features version 7.1 brings and are trained on correct responses to Level off, level off RAs.
TCAS II version 7.1 Overview for pilots January 2012 EUROCONTROL
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Why?
Who & When?
Whats new?
FAQ
Resources
More Frequently Asked Questions
Available on the EUROCONTROL website: www.eurocontrol.int/acas
TCAS II version 7.1 Overview for pilots January 2012 EUROCONTROL
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Why?
Who & When?
Whats new?
FAQ
Resources
Additional training resources (1/2)
Available from www.eurocontrol.int/acas (click on the picture below to access the publication directly)
Overview of ACAS II (presentation)
TCAS II version 7.1 for controllers (presentation)
ACAS II Guide TCAS II version 7.1 Overview for pilots January 2012 EUROCONTROL
ACAS II Bulletin no. 14 Version 7.1 is coming 23
Why?
Who & When?
Whats new?
FAQ
Resources
Additional training resources (2/2)
EUROCONTROL ACAS II Bulletins
1 - Follow the RA! (July 2002) 8- TCAS II Operations in European RVSM Airspace (May 2006) 9 - Frequently Asked Questions (July 2007) 10 - When ATC meets TCAS II (November 2007) 11 - ACAS world is moving on (May 2010) 12 - Focus on pilot training (February 2011) 13 - Reversing to resolve (September 2011) 14 - Version 7.1 is coming (January 2012)
2 - RAs and 1000 ft level-off manoeuvres (March 2003) 3 - Wrong reaction to Adjust Vertical Speed" RAs (October 2003) 4 - TCAS II and VFR traffic (May 2004) 5 - Controller and Pilot ACAS regulation and training (October 2004) 6 - Incorrect use of the TCAS traffic display (March 2005)
The information contained in the EUROCONTROL ACAS II Bulletins is accurate at the time of publishing but is subject to change.
7 - The Dos and Don'ts of TCAS II Operations (March 2006)
TCAS II version 7.1 Overview for pilots January 2012 EUROCONTROL
Click on a link above to access a specific issue. All EUROCONTROL ACAS II Bulletins are available from: www.eurocontrol.int/acas
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Why?
Who & When?
Whats new?
FAQ
Resources
Questions? Need more information?
www.eurocontrol.int/acas
[email protected]
TCAS II version 7.1 Overview for pilots January 2012 EUROCONTROL
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