ATC Basics: Pilot's Environment - Flight Management & Alert Instrumentation

What is a computer system that uses a large database to allow routes to be preprogrammed and fed into a system by a data loader & automatically selects the best NAVAID?

Flight management system (FMS)

What are the 3 displays that the FMS will include?

1. Primary Flight Display

2. Navigation Display

3. Multifunction Display

What serves as a multi-functioning computer and can be used as a backup to other displays?

MFD (multi-functioning display)

What replaces the attitude indicator, altimeter, radar altimeter, airspeed indicator, & glideslope indicator?

Primary flight display (PFD)

What are the 5 instruments the PFD replaces?

1. Attitude indicator

2. Altimeter

3. Localizer

4. Airspeed indicator

5. Glideslope indicator

What can be configured in either the full-compass or segmented arc configuration and can display information to help navigate to different headings?

Navigational display (ND)

What is a self-contained, airborne collision system that is intended to provide a backup for the separation services provided by ATC?

TCAS

What are the levels of TCAS?

1. TCAS I (generates traffic advisories)

2. TCAS II (generates traffic advisories AND resolution advisories)

What are the 3 functions of the TCAS?

1. Surveillance

2. CAS (collision avoidance) algorithms

3. Air-to-air coordination

Which piece of the TCAS transmits interrogations and processes replies from transponders in order to identify & track intruder aircraft?

Surveillance

Which piece of the TCAS uses track information and determines if a nearby aircraft represents a threat to its aircraft? (In TCASII, it will also provide an RA)

CAS Algorithms

Which piece of the TCAS ensures coordination between two aircraft for any RA? (One ascends, the other descends)

Air-to-air coordination

How far out are TAs issued?

45 seconds

How far out are RAs advised?

30 seconds

If you are alerted to an RA, what should you do as the controller?

Do not issue control instructions that are contrary to the RA

What are the 2 biggest limitations of TCAS?

1. It doesn’t know the intention of either aircraft (despite someone trying to land, it may have them pull up, for example)

2. Only identifies aircraft with operational transponders

What will TCAS say if it senses a threat?

Traffic, traffic, traffic

What does an intruding aircraft look like on the TCAS display?

Yellow dot with + or - (to indicate if they’re above or below) and up/down arrow (to indicate if they’re climbing or descending)

When an incident is avoided, what will the TCAS say?

Clear of conflict

What occurs when the blood, tissues, and/or cells don’t receive enough oxygen?

Hypoxia

What are some behaviors controllers may expect from pilots experiencing hypoxia? (3 things)

1. Slurred speech

2. Disorientation

3. Erratic headings

As a controller, what should you do if you suspect a pilot is experiencing hypoxia?

Descend the aircraft & remind the pilot to use oxygen

What type of failure can cause the malfunctioning of tools?

Pitot static/gyroscopic failure

What can a controller expect from a pilot if they’re experiencing pitot static/gyroscopic failure? (3 things)

1. Difficulty maintaining straight flight

2. Inaccurate indicated airspeed/attitude

3. Difficulty maintaining an assigned heading

As a controller, what should you do if you suspect an aircraft has pitot tube/gyroscopic failure?

Let pilot know & provide no-gyro vectors to reported VMC/to an airport