T3CAS & TCAS II Ver. 7.

1
Overview for Flight Crew
December 2012
 T3CAS ?

Be advised this is a quick overview and does not include

detailed explanation on all available features.
Kindly refer to updated FCOM for more information on the
subject: DSC 34-70 and DSC 31-45.
Iss. Dec. 2012

Air Arabia / T3CASZ Overview 2

 What & Why T3CAS ?

This equipment developed by ACSS features in one single unit a

TCAS, a Terrain Avoidance Warning System (TAWS) and a Mode S
transponder, saving the airline significant weight, space and power
consumption, which in turn translates into fuel savings.

The TCAS function is delivered with the latest standard Change 7.1. This standard became
mandatory in Europe for all new aircraft as of March 2012, and will become mandatory
for all existing aircraft in December 2015. The TCAS also contains all the new ATSAW (Air
Traffic Surveillance Awareness) capabilities defined by Airbus and is compliant with future
NextGen/SESAR requirements.
The TAWS function features full Low RNP 0.1NM capability and unique performance-
based algorithms that take into account aircraft status (engines, weight, flaps/slats
configuration, gears) and atmospheric conditions (temperature, pressure) for its Terrain
Advisories (TA), hence improving the level of awareness and comfort of the flight crew.
The Mode S transponder boasts the latest definition of ADS-B standard compliant with all
Iss. Dec. 2012

the latest and upcoming mandates in the world.

Air Arabia / T3CASZ Overview 3

 T3CAS Architecture (A320 Family)

Top
Directional Top
Antenna Omni Directional
Antenna

EFIS
PFD & ND

ATC / TCAS
Control Panel

EFIS
Control Panel

XS-950
T3CAS Transponder #1
TCAS/TAWS/
Transponder #2 Bottom
Directional
Antenna Bottom
Iss. Dec. 2012

Omni Directional
Antenna
MCDUs

Air Arabia / T3CASZ Overview 4

 Bottom Antenna on Airbus SA

TCAS Bottom Antenna

Iss. Dec. 2012

Air Arabia / T3CASZ Overview 5

 Top Antenna on Airbus SA

TCAS Top Antenna

Iss. Dec. 2012

Air Arabia / T3CASZ Overview 6

 What’s new in T3CAS TAWS ?

T3CAS Obstacle Display

• Obstacles are displayed

with a similar color
scheme to the terrain

• The slice coloration is

based on the aircraft
reference altitude

• Obstacles are displayed

with a higher dot density
because they are
inherently smaller than
Iss. Dec. 2012

terrain

Air Arabia / T3CASZ Overview 7

 What’s new in T3CAS TAWS ?
T3CAS Obstacle Caution Display

Caution Obstacle Alert – Clearance sensor detects a potential obstacle hazard

Obstacle Ahead indication
Iss. Dec. 2012

Obstacles causing the alert

Air Arabia / T3CASZ Overview 8
 What’s new in T3CAS TAWS ?
T3CAS Obstacle Warning Display
OBSTACLE, OBSTACLE, PULL UP, PULL UP Warning – OCPA detects aircraft
trajectory will not safely clear the obstacle

Obstacle Ahead indication

Iss. Dec. 2012

Obstacles causing the alert

Air Arabia / T3CASZ Overview 9
 What’s new in T3CAS TAWS ?
T3CAS Avoid Obstacle Alert Display
Avoid Obstacle Warning – System determines the aircraft cannot clear the
obstacle with a vertical escape maneuver
Obstacle Ahead indication
Iss. Dec. 2012

Obstacle causing the alert

Air Arabia / T3CASZ Overview 10
January 2012 | N°14

ACAS II Bulletin
Version 7.1 is coming…

WELCOME Version 7.0 – problems with Adjust Vertical Speed RA

This issue focuses on a forthcoming
Since its introduction in
change to TCAS II – the introduction of “Clear of Conflict”
Europe in 2000, TCAS II
the new version 7.1. A regulatory
decision regarding implementation was version 7.0 has been the FL350

published in the Official Journal of the subject of monitoring. In the “Climb, climb” RA
350 ft

European Union on 20 December 2011: course of analysing recorded

all existing TCAS II version 7.0 and reported events, many FL340
installations must be upgraded before cases – as many as 23 per
1 December 2015 and new aircraft must year – were found in which “Clear of Conflict”
be equipped with version 7.1 from pilots did not respond FL330
4500 ft/min.
1 March 2012 to operate in European correctly to the “Adjust
airspace. vertical speed, adjust”
Resolution Advisories (RAs). “Adjust vertical speed,
The EU Implementing Rule sets an earlier adjust” RA (1000 ft/min.)
equipage requirements than those 2500 ft/min.
published in ICAO Annex 10 (2014 new The “Adjust vertical speed,
installations, 2017 existing units). adjust” RA requires the Figure 1: Incorrect response to an “Adjust vertical speed, adjust” RA
reduction of vertical speed to
The development of version 7.1 was 2000, 1000, 500, or 0 ft/min., as indicated
initiated by EUROCONTROL following went through their cleared level, often
on the flight instruments. In those cases
the discovery of two safety issues with causing a follow up RA for the other
involving an incorrect response, the
the current TCAS II version. Development aircraft above or below, and disrupting
pilots increased their vertical speed
was undertaken jointly by the RTCA in ATC operations (see Figure 2).
instead of reducing it, consequently
the United States and by EUROCAE in causing a deterioration of the situation.
Europe with support and contributions “Climb,
The “Adjust vertical speed, adjust” RA is
from several other organizations, climb” RA
including airlines and ANSPs. the only RA whose aural annunciation
does not clearly communicate what
This bulletin explains the reasons behind exact manoeuvre is required. It is also FL220

the implementation of version 7.1 and the most common RA, representing up
introduces the new RA – the “Level off, to two-thirds of total RAs, all of which
level off” RA. It answers questions that increases the potential for incorrect pilot FL210 500 ft/min.
pilots or controllers may have about the response. Case examples were
new version and provides references to discussed in ACAS Bulletins no. 3, 7, and Level bust
additional training resources. 11 (see Figure 1).
Stanislaw Drozdowski “Adjust vertical
EUROCONTROL Additionally, there have been numerous speed, adjust” RA

Email: [email protected] cases of level bust when pilots following 2500 ft/min.
the “Adjust vertical speed, adjust” RA
Figure 2: Level bust as a result of “Adjust vertical
speed, adjust” RA

1 Version 7.0 – problems with “Adjust vertical speed, adjust” RAs

2-3 Version 7.1 solution – new “Level off, level off” RA
3 Version 7.0 – problems with the reversal logic
3 Version 7.1 solution – improved reversal logic
4 Version 7.1 Frequently Asked Questions
4 Additional training resources
Version 7.1 solution – new “Level off, level off” RA
The issues mentioned on the
previous page have led to the Version 7.0
Version 7.0 Version 7.1
Version 7.1
development of TCAS II version
7.1. Occasional pilot confusion
with the “Adjust vertical speed,
adjust” RA is resolved by
replacing it with a new “Level 2000 ft/min.
off, level off” RA. 1000 ft/min.
500 ft/min.
Currently, “Adjust vertical
0 ft/min. 0 ft/min.
speed, adjust” RAs require a
reduction of the vertical rate to
2000, 1000, 500 or 0 ft/min. The
new “Level off, level off” RA “Adjust vertical RA requires one of
RA requires a level-off
speed, adjust” RA these vertical speeds “Level off,
always requires a reduction of level off” RA
(vertical speed 0 ft/min)
vertical rate to 0 ft/min. The
level off is to be achieved
promptly, not at the next Figure 3: Comparison of “Adjust vertical speed, adjust” and “Level off, level off” RAs
standard flight level (e.g. FL200,
FL 210, etc.).
0 ft/min.
The aural message “Level off,
1500 ft/min. “Adjust vertical
level off” also has the benefit of speed, adjust” RA
being intuitive and the “Climb.
climb” RA “Clear of
associated manoeuvre conflict”
Version 7.1
corresponds to the standard
levelling off manoeuvre.
FL330
The “Level off, level off” RA may
be issued as an initial RA (as Version 7.0
“Descend,
illustrated in Figure 3) or as a descend” RA
weakening RA (following, for 1500 ft/min.
“Level off,
instance, a “Climb, climb” or “Clear of level off”
conflict”
“Descend, descend” RA – see RA
0 ft/min.
Figure 4) when the vertical
distance between the aircraft Figure 4: Comparison of weakening “Adjust vertical speed, adjust” and “Level off, level off” RAs
increases after the initial RA has
been issued.
It will contribute to the overall reduction
Version 7.0 “Climb, Version 7.1
of RA occurrences because follow up
climb” RA
RAs resulting from the “green arc level
bust” should not occur any more (see
FL220 Figure 5).

How the new RA “Level off, level off” RA

FL210 500 ft/min is shown on a generic Electronic Flight
Level bust Instrument System or Instantaneous
0 ft/min
Vertical Speed Indicator is shown in
Figures 6 through 9.
“Adjust vertical “Level off,
speed, adjust” RA level off” RA

2500 ft/min 2500 ft/min

Figure 5: How the “Level off, level off” RA will reduce instances of level bust

A weakening “Adjust vertical speed, Additionally, replacing the multiple

adjust” RA in the existing version 7.0 climb/descent rates of the “Adjust
also always requires a reduction of vertical speed, adjust” RA, the “Level off,
vertical speed to 0 ft/min. (i.e. level off), level off” RA will minimise the altitude
so there is no change in pilot actions in deviations induced by TCAS (level busts
these cases. while “flying the green arc”), thus
reducing the impact on ATC operations.
Figure 6: “Level off, level off” RA as
shown on a generic EFIS display
2
 “Level off, level off” RA
continued

Figure 7: “Level off, level off” RA as Figure 8: A weakening “Level off, level off” Figure 9: A weakening “Level off, level off”
shown on a generic IVSI display RA as shown on a generic EFIS display RA as shown on a generic IVSI display

Learning points – new “Level off, level off” RA:

 Response to “Level off, level off” RA: Reduce the vertical rate to 0 ft/min (i.e. level off).
 The level off must be achieved promptly, not at the next flight level.
 “Adjust vertical speed, adjust” RAs will become defunct.
 Some aircraft will level off hundreds of feet before their cleared level while responding to this new RA. However, the RA
will not result in more frequent conflicts with third party aircraft than is experienced with the current version of TCAS.

Version 7.0 – problems with the reversal logic

The design of the current TCAS II version version 7.0 failed to reverse an RA when manoeuvre based on visual acquisition.
7.0 allows for reversal RAs (i.e. “Climb, two converging aircraft remained within
climb NOW” and “Descend, descend 100 feet. A number of these types of cases have
NOW”) to be issued when the current RA been discovered each year – as many as
is no longer predicted to provide This type scenario can occur when one 7 per year – the most notable events
sufficient vertical spacing. aircraft is not following the RA or is not being the Yaizu (Japan) midair accident
TCAS II equipped and follows an ATC (2001) and the Überlingen (Germany)
However, there have also been a instruction or performs an avoidance midair collision (2002).
number of cases in which TCAS II

Version 7.1 solution – improved reversal logic

unequipped threat aircraft moves in the Although the reversal logic change is
Version 7.1 will bring improvements to same vertical direction as the TCAS II transparent to flight crews, it will,
the reversal logic by detecting situations equipped aircraft. nevertheless, bring significant safety
in which, despite the RA, the aircraft improvements.
continue to converge vertically.

A feature has been added to the TCAS “Descend,

logic which monitors RA compliance in descend” RA “Climb, climb
NOW” RA
coordinated encounters (i.e. when both
aircraft are TCAS II equipped). When
version 7.1 detects that an aircraft is not
responding correctly to an RA, it will Version 7.1:
“Climb,
Threat’s non-compliance
issue a reversal RA to the aircraft which detected, reversal RA issued
climb” RA
manoeuvres in accordance with the RA.
In single equipage encounters (i.e. when Pilot does not comply with RA
or TCAS unequipped aircraft following
only one aircraft is TCAS II equipped), Version 7.0: No reversal an ATC instruction or visual avoidance
version 7.1 will recognise the situation
and will issue a reversal if the
Figure 9: TCAS II version 7.1 improved reversal logic

Learning points – improved reversal logic:

No change in 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 1500 ft/min. climb or descent rate.