You must obey a TCAS RA. It is reasonable to cruise at your service ceiling. If you then receive an RA to 'Climb', you have no option but to obey- to override that and descend will most certianly put you in direct risk of a collision.
My TCAS instruction book states (under TCAS Inhibits & Limitations): " On individual aircraft types, if in a certain configuration (eg landing configuration) or above some altitude within the normal performance envelope a CLIMB or INCREASE CLIMB RA might lead to a stick shake, those RAs will be inhibited in that configuration or above that altitude; there is no annunciation of such an inhibit."
That the Airbus anunciation was not inhibited near your service ceiling suggests that it is not a problem going higher in an emergency!
In the TCAS RA (Resolution Advisory) Section, it categorically states: "Never manoeuvre in a direction opposite to the RA (further into the red sector), intruder may be TCAS equipped and the manoeuvre will be co-ordinated."
So,
1- Climb to escape danger and exceed service ceiling by a small figure (and avoid collision).
2- Refuse to obey and stay at same altitude (under extreme risk of collision)
3- Refuse to obey and do opposite to RA command and descend (under extreme risk of collision).
I would say that if you were disciplined for obeying a genuine RA in these circumstances, either the Aviation Authorities in the countries your airline visits, or the Pilots Unions in those countries, will be extremely interested and concerned in the practices of your airline's management, and further action may be taken! Some of us transit your airspace and would be most concerned if such practices as your management apparently believe are condoned! We have already seen the effect one aircraft taking the opposite action to an RA can have at Ueberlingen.
Last edited by Notso Fantastic; 20th Jul 2004 at 22:59.