PCAS - Portable Collision Avoidance System

Mike Schumann wrote:
That is NOT correct. TCAS was specifically designed to provide evasive
maneuver info for airliners that are on a collision course with GA aircraft.
However, the GA aircraft needs a Mode C Transponder (and it needs to be
turned on).

You are correct, I was confusing limitations of TCAS I with TCAS II...

Marc

Marc Ramsey wrote:

But doesn't TCAS gives you resolution without the need to spot the
threat?
I was under the impression that it does.

Only if the threat is also equipped with TCAS...

Marc

A TCAS equipped aircraft with be given a resolution advisory for a
threat aircraft that has a mode C or Mode S transponder. The threat
aircraft does not need to have TCAS, and does not need to be
interrogated by an ATC radar site.

When both involved aircraft have TCAS the avoidance maneuver is agreed
between them. If only one has TCAS it decides what to do on it's own.

Andy

I know quiet a few which use the Zaon and are very pleased. I am using
the Monroy ATD200 and am pleased with it too. It is an older unit,
about the same size of the Zaon with the same functionality, including
voice alert, except it does not have altitude band. I am considering
upgrading to the Zaon since I am flying in an area with lots of traffic
thus preffer to have an altitude band to reduce alarms from non
threats, but for someone in less traffic area it is sufficient. so if
anyone is interested in an even cheaper PCAS just drop me a line.
http://www.monroyaero.com/atd200.html
http://www.flightstore.co.uk/monroy_...6.dept_l3 .0/

Ramy

wrote:
PCAS - Portable Collision Avoidance System
http://www.zaonflight.com/mrx.html
Is there anyone out there using this system in their glider?

From what I have read, it seems like a like a pretty nice system to
at least make you aware of what fast moving traffic is approaching
your current airspace.
If you think that an airliner in going to spot you just because
you have a transponder, is a very false security.
I fly a Boeing jet for a living and at times it is very hard to see
another jet that ATC and TCAS alerted us to.

When I flew my glider in Moriarty last June, I was amazed at the number
of large jets coming in from the east passing above and below me.
I was talking and listening to ABQ approach control. ACT gave the
approaching traffic my position and altitude and none of the airliners
could look visually locate me. I saw all of them. I am sure that most
of these pilots are running their descent and approach check lists,
doing an approach briefing and saying a few last words to the
passengers.

At work when we get below 18,000 feet, I am always looking for gliders
below the base of the clouds. I have never seen a glider in over
19 years of flying, but I know that they are there. I am hoping that
they see me.
It seems to me that a PCAS type of system would help me locate
a majority of the biggest and fastest moving threats in the sky,
commercial airliners, corporate jet and higher-end general aviation
aicraft).

Any PCAS users out there?

Randy

After flying with the ZAON collision avoidance system,we became one of their
dealers. You can find it on our web site listed below.

It was very interesting to have the device give warnings for aircraft I did
not see.

It works exactly as advertised, & seems well worth the cost, especially when
flying near high density areas such as we fly.
It receives it's data from other nearby aircraft equipped with a
transponder. Our glider also has a transponder.

Tom Knauff
Knauff & Grove Soaring Supplies

www.eglider.org