Manoeuvering in response to TCAS RA
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Australia
Manoeuvering in response to TCAS RA
In cruise with autopilot engaged and RA suddenly occurs. Should you immediately disengage autopilot/autothrottle and flight director at same time immediately following the RA commands?
Or:
Leave automatics engaged and use CWS or select VS mode to follow RA commands?
What are the chances of a delay in making the right MCP selection and thus causing a close shave?
Or worse still, press the wrong autopilot selection buttons and the autopilot fails to climb/descend?
Or, to minimise any automatic pilot mode delay following the RA command, is it generally a safer bet to disengage the automatics and get cracking without delay manually?
Or:
Leave automatics engaged and use CWS or select VS mode to follow RA commands?
What are the chances of a delay in making the right MCP selection and thus causing a close shave?
Or worse still, press the wrong autopilot selection buttons and the autopilot fails to climb/descend?
Or, to minimise any automatic pilot mode delay following the RA command, is it generally a safer bet to disengage the automatics and get cracking without delay manually?
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From: Europe
At least in my outfit, the following applies: TA: hands on controls but don't move anything, look for traffic. RA: disconnect and follow RA command smoothly but firmly. We don't have autothrottle, so that's not an issue 
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Greetings
Auto pîlot OFF for TCAS RA to respond to the TCAS evasive maneuvre, Auto throttle OFF is a part of the reflexive behavior however it is less critical than the Auto pilot disconnection.
for the Flight Director it is better to leave it ON, because it will show you which way to go when out of conflict.
Auto pîlot OFF for TCAS RA to respond to the TCAS evasive maneuvre, Auto throttle OFF is a part of the reflexive behavior however it is less critical than the Auto pilot disconnection.
for the Flight Director it is better to leave it ON, because it will show you which way to go when out of conflict.
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Around and about
Rather simple issue that bfisk has awnsered already correcly.
Only thing I would lke to add is to disengage the automatics IMMEDIATLELY to follow the RA command.
...fiddeling around with the MCP might be the last thing you ever do!
Only thing I would lke to add is to disengage the automatics IMMEDIATLELY to follow the RA command.
...fiddeling around with the MCP might be the last thing you ever do!
Joined: Feb 1998
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From: Formerly of Nam
In the Airboos frog thingey -
TA - hands on gamestick but do nothing
RA - FDs off (puts AT in Speed hold), then AP off
Clear of Conflict: FDs ON, AP on, pull ALT (OPEN CLB/DES will bring the plane back to asigned level)
At Asigned level: Yell at ATC and tell him your gonna report his ass!
TA - hands on gamestick but do nothing
RA - FDs off (puts AT in Speed hold), then AP off
Clear of Conflict: FDs ON, AP on, pull ALT (OPEN CLB/DES will bring the plane back to asigned level)
At Asigned level: Yell at ATC and tell him your gonna report his ass!
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Uh... Where was I?
If you have A/THR
Always check SPEED mode is active after turning off the FDs
Otherwise you can have serious problems.
I don't think disconnecting A/THR is a sensible thing to do, though I guess it depends on airplane and procedures.
Always check SPEED mode is active after turning off the FDs
Otherwise you can have serious problems.
I don't think disconnecting A/THR is a sensible thing to do, though I guess it depends on airplane and procedures.
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Between Vedex and Murag!
Originally Posted by ICAO Doc 9863 (ACAS)
5.2.1.8 Respond to RAs by disconnecting the autopilot and by using prompt, smooth control inputs;
manoeuvre in the direction and with the vertical rate ACAS requires. To achieve the required vertical rate
(normally 1 500 ft per minute) on aircraft where the RA is displayed on a vertical speed indicator (VSI), it is
recommended that the aircraft’s pitch be changed using the guidelines shown in the table below. Referring
to the VSI or vertical speed tape, make any further pitch adjustments necessary to place the vertical speed
in the green area.
manoeuvre in the direction and with the vertical rate ACAS requires. To achieve the required vertical rate
(normally 1 500 ft per minute) on aircraft where the RA is displayed on a vertical speed indicator (VSI), it is
recommended that the aircraft’s pitch be changed using the guidelines shown in the table below. Referring
to the VSI or vertical speed tape, make any further pitch adjustments necessary to place the vertical speed
in the green area.
Originally Posted by ICAO Doc 9863 (ACAS)
5.2.1.9 For ACAS to provide safe vertical separation, the PF is expected to initiate the appropriate
RA manoeuvre within 5 seconds of when the RA is first displayed. Deviations from assigned altitude, when
responding to an RA, typically will be no more than 300 to 500 ft. RA manoeuvres should use vertical
speeds within the green areas, or the indicated pitch angle, and avoid red areas on vertical speed indicators
or tapes, or outlined pitch avoidance areas.
RA manoeuvre within 5 seconds of when the RA is first displayed. Deviations from assigned altitude, when
responding to an RA, typically will be no more than 300 to 500 ft. RA manoeuvres should use vertical
speeds within the green areas, or the indicated pitch angle, and avoid red areas on vertical speed indicators
or tapes, or outlined pitch avoidance areas.
Originally Posted by ICAO Doc 8168 (flight proc)
c) in the event of an RA, pilots shall:
1) respond immediately by following the RA as indicated, unless doing so would jeopardize the safety of the
aeroplane;
1) respond immediately by following the RA as indicated, unless doing so would jeopardize the safety of the
aeroplane;
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: UK
Conclusion, never follow an RA through automation...whatever the A/C type.
Airbus studies emergency traffic avoidance system to act without pilots-22/03/2006-Toulouse-Flight International
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From: Between Vedex and Murag!
Let's see what the ACAS III is all about first and we will talk about the future when it arrives...
Funny quote from your 2006 article:
FDs OFF is true for all Airbus FBW.
Funny quote from your 2006 article:
He is not specific about if and when the new system will enter service, but says it will probably be available on the A350 when deliveries begin in 2010
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Uh... Where was I?
Airbus:
TA: call out "TCAS I HAVE CONTROLS"
RA:
FIRST: AP OFF (you are now hand flying)
SECOND: FDs OFF (BOTH, please!) (A/THR reverts to SPEED)
Now you can pitch up or down smoothly but promptly to put the V/S in the green.
TA: call out "TCAS I HAVE CONTROLS"
RA:
FIRST: AP OFF (you are now hand flying)
SECOND: FDs OFF (BOTH, please!) (A/THR reverts to SPEED)
Now you can pitch up or down smoothly but promptly to put the V/S in the green.
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From: Between Vedex and Murag!
it is interesting to note that on parallel approaches a hand flown break out is also necessary
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Seat 1A
In cruise with autopilot engaged and RA suddenly occurs. Should you
On my machine, when an RA occurs, pushing the AP disconnect button will make the FD bars automatically go away. Neat.
