In article .com,
"Ramapriya" wrote:

To leave it to the pilots doesn't appear to be too much of an
advantage, with a relative speed of two planes being about 1000 mph
towards each other. Also, given the small reaction time, there's also a
chance, howsoever small, that the pilots could both take action that'll
precipitate a collision instead of avoiding one; both diving, for
example.

1) Reaction times are less of an issue with TCAS because normally
the system will advise the crew of traffic (called a traffic advisory or TA)
when the conflicting aircraft is (iirc) 40 seconds out. This allows the
crew to begin scanning for the potential conflict.

2) If the two aircraft involved in a potential conflict are both TCAS II
equipped, the systems will coordinate. That is, generally the higher
aircraft will get a "Resolution Advisory" or RA to climb (or possibly not
descend) while the lower aircraft will get a descent (or possibly not
climb).


If it isn't automatic, I think the TCAS should be. For sure.

you have far more faith in automation than I.

btw - since TCAS can only see transponder-equipped aircraft, it
wouldn't be real smart to make the system automatic beause you
wouldn't want the system to fly the aircraft into conflict with
a non-transponder aircraft.

--
Bob Noel
looking for a sig the lawyers will like