What is the main function of a Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)?

The main function of a Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) is to prevent mid-air collisions. TCAS is an essential safety system in aviation that continually monitors the airspace around an aircraft for potential conflicts with other aircraft. By using transponder signals from nearby aircraft, TCAS determines whether there is a risk of collision and, if so, provides pilots with visual and auditory alerts indicating that action needs to be taken to avoid a potential collision.

In the event that a conflict is detected, TCAS issues advisories to pilots, such as “Climb” or “Descend,” guiding them on the appropriate maneuver to maintain safe separation from the conflicting aircraft. This proactive approach significantly enhances flight safety by mitigating the risk of mid-air collisions, thereby fulfilling its critical function in air traffic management and aircraft operations.