Originally Posted by
West Coast
Anyone aware of tables/formulas/algorithm, etc for figuring out the delay/lag between altitude observed on a TCAS from another aircraft to its actual altitude in a climb or descent?
Simply put, I see an aircraft on my TCAS at 10,000 but climbing/descending, is there a formula published for determining the difference in altitude between what it's at and what I'm seeing on my TCAS?
Before it's pointed out to me that has no practical application for in flight use, I recognize that. The question came up while killing time on a long flight.
Yes: Reported altitude + Climb rate X ( Transmitting Transponder system latency + Radio propagation delay + Receiving TCAS system latency)
That formula will give you the altitude of the other aircraft at any moment. The difficulty is determining the value of those variables.