We all have had out of memory messages and software overloading errors. But can this happen in an aircraft?

For example, in the 737 NG, on the ND you have a whole bunch of options for things to display on it e.g. Wx, Terrain, Traffic, Airports, Waypoints etc. But what would happen if you pushed and held all of those buttons at once??? Blue screen?

 

Also, another question. With TCAS, you have TA only and TA/RA. I know what they both mean, TA/RA mean you get a resolution advisories after the initial traffic alert. But when you have it set on TA only, it means that the other aircraft is going to have to do the maneuvering while you just keep doing what your doing. But what if the 2 aircraft are both set on TA only, do they both just do nothing and hope for the best???

You can get resolution advisory from ATC or from PM or from your own brain. After all TCAS RA is just a suggestion, pilot has to make a move.

1. No, nothing would happen, we

Are talking about 50million + worth of hardware, not windows

Vista on a cheap desktop.

 

2. You don't need a RA to avoid a mid air collision, it is an advisory, both flight crews would hear 'traffic' and take evasive action.

Can you "break" a plane?

 

 

 

 

Yes.  :smile:

 

Joking apart, good question, re: the computers but I guess they are programmed with every eventuality covered, so that the computer can always "fail SAFE", to a last known state or condition, rather than the bail outs we suffer on our domestic PCs, such as blue screens and CTDs.

 

Good question about the TCAS too; I never thought of that, what happens if one is on TA and the other TA/RA and a conflict occurs.

 

TCAS is the thing I am worst with when simulating airliner operation - always forget to turn it from Standby to TA or TA/RA! 

It really is a no brainier, the one that is on RA gets a resolution advisory and follows it whilst attempting to get a visual, the other that is on TA attempts to avoid visually or from the information on the ND.