PPRuNe Forums - Question about TCAS RA

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Question about TCAS RA

Hi everyone,
For any reason you decided to climb to 2,000ft above the optimum altitude - or flying a 737-300, for example, the airplane is leveled at FL370. Later, during cruise level, there’s a TCAS RA. The question is: In this case does the TCAS consider aircraft performance or limitation and always command a descent maneuver?

Hamil,

1. This has been done to death on this forum, but...

2. The TCAS doesn't know if you are a bit heavy today for the altitude (or whatever other excuse/scenario you had in mind), so it may command a climb, and...

3. Even if you ARE a bit heavy/hot/whatever, if you are succesfully in the cruise at FL370, then a pull on the yoke WILL make the aircraft climb. It may not be a lot, it may not be very sporty, and you may not be able to keep it up for long, but you WILL avoid hitting the other guy.

I hope this is a wannabe question, because if you were already flying a 737, you should know this already.