TCAS is a wonderful technology that enhances aviation safety. Possibly they were notified by Air Traffic Control additionally the TCAS would have shown the traffic. The pilots were aware of the opposite-direction traffic. implemented Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM). You were right about it being 2,000 feet until January 20, 2005, when the U.S. Is this normal and did the pilots know about the incoming aircraft? As I recall, our aircraft did not move left, right or any vertical direction.Ī: The standard for vertical separation is now 1,000 feet. I thought ATC wouldn't allow two aircraft traveling in opposite directions to come within 2 miles horizontally or 2,000 feet vertically. Visibility wasn't good and it freaked me out.

As I looked out of the window of our 737, I saw another aircraft going the opposite direction come within (what appeared to be) 500 feet from the wingtip (estimating wingtip to wingtip).

We were at our cruising altitude, but couldn't tell where (it was within 1.5 hours of takeoff) and it was cloudy. Q: A few years ago I was flying from San Diego to Newark. I became a true believer in the technology after that day. We and another airplane would have passed very, very close without TCAS providing separation. I saw the benefits of TCAS one afternoon descending into Florida. If a component is not listed in the MEL, it must be operative prior to flight. The MEL is an FAA-approved document that lists many components and systems within the airplane and provides operation limitations if they are inoperative. TCAS can be inoperative for a few flights using the provisions of the Minimum Equipment List (MEL). If only one airplane has TCAS, those pilots are instructed to climb or descend to provide the maximum separation. If both airplanes are TCAS equipped and the paths get too close, TCAS provides a coordinated maneuver (one airplane is instructed to 'climb' while the other to 'descend').

TCAS advises the pilots about a threat based on information from the transponder (a device that transmits specific data in response to a radar pulse). — - Question: Hi captain, is it compulsory to have the TCAS (Traffic Collision and Avoidance System) working within the USA and Europe? Can you explain how it works?Īnswer: Traffic Collision and Avoidance System (TCAS) is a wonderful technology that provides flight crews with information of potential midair collision threats.

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