STCA alert generation
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STCA alert generation
According my limited knowledge about STCA (short term conflict alert) it generates a warning between 45 and 60 seconds ahead of a potential conflict.
Here's my question:
Is the lead time for a warning identical for a conflict closing in at 200kts or a conflict with identical geometry but the tagets at 300kts?
I would assume so, but I need a firm answer from a professional.
Thanks
Here's my question:
Is the lead time for a warning identical for a conflict closing in at 200kts or a conflict with identical geometry but the tagets at 300kts?
I would assume so, but I need a firm answer from a professional.
Thanks
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I doubt if there's any fixed limit. There might be some ICAO/EASA guidelines, but with every single ATM system and ATC provider it might get a little different. In general STCA warning is time-based, so faster closing aircraft generate it within larger distance. STCA alert is usually distance-based and it gets triggered when the separation is already lost.
Ours goes off before separation is already lost, time based, as in they go off a given time before separation will drop below a set minimum. I always though this was the norm
Last edited by Una Due Tfc; 11th Aug 2015 at 00:13.
I always though this was the norm
In some respects its a bit like a goalie so you still have time to prevent an incident.
In others once it goes off regardless of what actions taken by an ATCO prior to activation its deemed to be a loss even if separation standards are maintained.
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Thanks for the replies so far. It appears that there's no quick and easy answer, like in so many things in aviation.
Let's assume two targets on an exact opposite course at the same altitude. Both straight and level, no manouvers whatsoever. In the first case they both travel at 200kts, in the second case they both travel at 300kts. Would it be safe to assume that the TIME before conflict of a STCA alert would be identical (and therefore the distance between the targets at the moment of the alert is different)?
Let's assume two targets on an exact opposite course at the same altitude. Both straight and level, no manouvers whatsoever. In the first case they both travel at 200kts, in the second case they both travel at 300kts. Would it be safe to assume that the TIME before conflict of a STCA alert would be identical (and therefore the distance between the targets at the moment of the alert is different)?
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Should still have something similar to thisUntitled Document which is for MTCA but can't find it anywhere. All my old training docs. are now in a museum but found this quote
Times change, you might find more on page 3 of www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/299.pdf this
February 1980
The Short-Term Conflict Alert (STCA) tool becomes available. The system provides controllers with a pre-warning of 128 seconds about possible infringements of minimum separation standards.
The Short-Term Conflict Alert (STCA) tool becomes available. The system provides controllers with a pre-warning of 128 seconds about possible infringements of minimum separation standards.
Last edited by Lon More; 21st Aug 2015 at 16:59.