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How
Does TPAS™ Work? TPAS™
is a stand alone, passive reception, traffic proximity alert
system. It utilizes the transponder equipped on almost every
aircraft flying today. TPAS contains dual sensitive microwave
receivers which decode transponder signals and display target
proximity with a phase averaging / amplitude comparison technology.
A digital
system converts this information to nautical mileage for the
display. It does not include altitude information, however,
much like a VOR and DME system, aircraft flying overhead or
beneath you will not trigger alerts if they are out of potential
conflict boundaries. As an example, an aircraft flying over
you in a traffic pattern at 14,000 would never show less than
2.5 NM. TPAS will also ignore aircraft with altitudes over FL
250. It does not include altitude information, however, much
like a VOR and DME system, aircraft flying overhead or beneath
you will not trigger alerts if they are out of potential conflict
boundaries. As an example, an aircraft flying over you in a
traffic pattern at 14,000 would never show less than 2.5 NM.
TPAS will also ignore aircraft with altitudes over FL 250. Other computations
include decoding various transponder signals to determine if
your aircraft is being interrogated by a ground Secondary Surveillance
Radar or TCAS equipped aircraft which may be in the area. This
information is useful to a pilot in many ways. At times while
flying in remote areas, it may not be clearly known if RADAR
coverage is available. When a Mode C or Mode A Interrogation
is performed by a ground facility, a red LED SSR light will
illuminate with a DOWN arrow. A green UP arrow indicates that
a TCAS equipped aircraft may be in proximity and interrogating
your aircraft for position. Knowing this, it is likely that
the TCAS aircraft is also monitoring you. TPAS contains
a mode option to select either TCA (Terminal Area) or ENROUTE.
This function will change range options and the rate at which
audio alerts are heard. Should another aircraft come within
5 miles in Enroute mode, or 2.5 mile in TCA Mode a BLUE LED
light will illuminate to indicate a potential traffic conflict.
If the intruder continues closer, a YELLOW “TRAFFIC ADVISORY”
along with audio advisory, will indicate range within 2 miles
in ENROUTE mode, or 1/2 mile in TCA mode. Closer presence
of an intruder will trigger the RED “TRAFFIC ALERT”
and audio warning. This will occur at a range of 1 mile in ENROUTE
mode and within 2000 feet with TCA Mode. A YELLOW LED will indicate
that the TPAS system is in active scan. TPAS model
RX-110 does NOT discriminate for aircraft altitude. There is
NO collision device priced under $1000 that does. By the nature
of design, some signal shadowing does occur, giving anti-collision
devices more sensitivity laterally than horizontally. TPAS is
programmed to ignore your on board transponder replies, and
various other transmissions, however, they will be shown by
an absence of the Scan LED being lit during such broadcasts.
An on-board TEST function is activated with a momentary switch,
and it is recommended to be performed before EACH Flight. TPAS
will operate on either a 12 or 28 volt DC system or by using
the built-in 6 “AA” battery system (batteries not
included). Width: 5",
Height: 1.25", Length: 6.25".
Patent Pending.
Shipping Weight: 5 lbs | 
