TCAS - Absolute Altitude
 

My aircraft has a Rockwell Collins TCAS II 4000 controlled by an RTU 4210. On the RTU there are two altitude choices of "REL" and "ABS".

I cannot find anywhere a reference as to what these two settings mean.

I am happy that REL is intruder altitude relative to my altitude and ABS shows intruder pressure altitude however I need a reference.

This Pilots Guide to a Bendix King TCAS II system, page 38, describes the difference. Generally speaking, the system defaults to Relative Altitude, but if you press Absolute, it'll show you the threat's actual altitude for X seconds, before reverting to Relative Altitude, which is what you really want, afterall.

See FAA Advisory Circular 20-151a, "Airworthiness Approval of TCAS II, Versions 7.0 & 7.1 and Associated Mode S Transponders"


https://www.google.co.uk/#safe=activ...rcular+20-151a


2-7. Pilot Control. A pilot control for the TCAS equipment shall be provided...
c. The following optional controls may be provided:...
(4) Selection of actual flight level (FL) or relative altitude of traffic.

TCAS Absolute Altitude is Absolute Pressure Altitude
 

Absolute Pressure Altitude is confusing because TCAS manual writers drop the pressure, and land short with Absolute Altitude.


This is confusing because Absolute Altitude means height above the ground to the FAA.


A TCAS standards document, called DO-185B says basically, Altitude is... absolute pressure altitude... 29.92 in. hg.


Any time TCAS panels or TCAS manuals say "absolute," add pressure. Absolute pressure altitude.