AA.VI.C.R2FAA-S-ACS-11A · Nov 2023Risk management
Limitations of traffic avoidance equipment.
Limitations of traffic avoidance equipment.
Bottom line
Since TCAS does not respond to aircraft which are not transponder equipped or aircraft with a transponder failure, TCAS alone does not ensure safe separation in every case. In certain airspace, not all aircraft will be equipped with ADS-B Out or transponders and will not be visible on your ADS-B In display. Pilots should incorporate the traffic display in their normal traffic scan to provide awareness of nearby aircraft.
FAA references
- AIM 4-4-16 (Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS I & II)) — AIM Basic 2/20/25 w/ Change 1 (8/7/25) & Change 2 (1/22/26)
- IFH ch. 11 (p. 11-12) — FAA-H-8083-15B
- PHAK ch. 14 (p. 14-30) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
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