So here I am, on final into KABQ from KPHX in the 600 and all of the sudden I get this traffic warning. I love the TCAS system by the way. Anyhow, I look and this clown is coming up behind and below within the traffic ring. I was really doing pretty good with the hand flown approach and was lining up the ILS markers (reference for me when flying manual). I decided to turn traffic off so I could land and not G/A. I hate that when AI just comes out of nowhere.QUESTION: When is traffic supposed to show on the display? I have it set for real life op, as you guys said they can't see regular traffic. So how many feet above/below and how close before they are displayed?Also, anyone using the fictional "display non-threatening traffic" setting? I kinda feel like turning it back on for something else to look at, lol.Chris

Hey Chris,"Also, anyone using the fictional "display non-threatening traffic" setting? I kinda feel like turning it back on for something else to look at, lol."Yep, I use it. In real life I wouldn't need to because I know all the aircraft are following set airways and rules and the chances of a collision are minimal. However in FS all the AI fly direct great circle routes so the can be aiming for you in all different directions. I keep it on the fictional setting so I can spot them long before it's too late. AI traffic seem to be magnetically attracted to my aircraft.Also gives me something to look at :)The threatning traffic, AFAIK, should only show up when the TCAS system determins that the diamond aircraft symbol should be turned solid white (i.e. The 'Look at me, I could be a pain in your a$$ pretty soon' display)Cheers,David

Threat determination (TA and RA) is generally based on time to closest point of approach. The time thresholds are in the range of 15 - 48 seconds, depending on TA vs. RA and your own altitude, with larger time thresholds being used for higher altitudes.Lee Hetherington, PP-ASEL (KBED)

Thanks for the replies! Lee, is there not an altitude or distance that the aircraft will show even when both aren't changing altitude or direction?In other words, I'm flying at FL210 (290 kts) and another plane is at FL220 (290 kts) heading right for me, when would they show in this situation? Or is it just more complicated than that?Thanks,Chris

Hi Chris,I just looked at the TCAS II v7 specs (and my code) to verify, but at FL290, the vertical threshold for a TA is 850ft. If you were both level 1000ft apart, even head on you would not get a TA. I believe this threshold used to be 1200ft before RVSM was implemented. Above FL420, the threshold is still 1200ft, probably because RVSM isn't used that high.So, to get back to the point of your question. I do not know exactly what Boeing displays when it is only displaying "threatening" traffic, but I would assume in this mode it only displays TAs and RAs and not "proximate" (solid white diamond) or "other" (hollow white diamond) traffic. In the logic, an intruder generating a TA is called a "potential threat," and an intruder generating an RA is called a "threat."Lee Hetherington, PP-ASEL (KBED)