In a recent article, Mr. Cox recounted a harrowing experience in which the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) on his Boeing 737 alerted him to nearby traffic during a descent over Orlando International Airport. The system’s urgent instruction to climb prevented a potentially catastrophic collision with a smaller aircraft. The history of TCAS dates back to a series of collisions, including the 1986 crash in Cerritos, California, which led to Congress mandating its installation on all large commercial airplanes.
However, TCAS is optional on military aircraft, raising questions about its presence on the Army helicopter involved in a recent crash. TCAS is most effective at higher altitudes, where aircraft are less likely to be in close proximity. For aircraft approaching an airport, TCAS limits alerts to prevent confusion and maintain safety.
In recent years, the Federal Aviation Administration has mandated the use of the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system on passenger airlines and many other aircraft. ADS-B broadcasts real-time location, altitude, speed, and other data every second, allowing for increased visibility and situational awareness in the air. While ADS-B does not issue collision alerts like TCAS, it provides valuable information for pilots, particularly in poor weather conditions or low visibility.
Dr. Hassan Shahidi, President of the Flight Safety Foundation, emphasized the benefits of ADS-B in enhancing air traffic safety. The combination of TCAS for collision avoidance and ADS-B for enhanced situational awareness demonstrates the aviation industry’s commitment to improving safety measures for both passengers and crew.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
