About TCAS in the US...

[Shaka 2]

Hi there,I was just watching the news on the CBC, an they started talking about TCAS, which is not required on aircraft in Canada. Naturally, any aircraft which flys to the US has it installed, which mostly leaves smaller private and regional aircraft that don't have it installed here in Canada.They mentioned that TCAS was required on ALL aircraft flying in the US. Can someone confirm this? Does that include small private aircraft, or is it restricted to commercial aircraft?Thanks a bunch.- Martin

[Jeff Nielsen 1,386]

As far as I'm aware it'a just for "commercial" as you say, or scheduled air carrier operations (part 121). I'm not sure about charter (part 135).For GA I don't think it's required. There may be some other aircraft restrictions though for certain aircraft types operating under part 91, etc., i.e, resposition flights, etc. Not sure if there is any specific airspace requirements either.You can always contact your local FSDO/FAA or equivalent to be certain.That's a good question. I'll make a call today, as that raises my curiosity also.

[Guest DNelson]

I do recall hearing that starting in 2006, TCAS is required in U.S. registered aircraft that have turbine engine(s) and 6 or more seats. I'm not sure of the exact requirements, but that's close. I believe it's required even if the plane is only flown under Part 91. So the smaller jets/turboprops like a Citation CJ1, Piper Meridian, KingAir C90, etc, will be required to have it installed now.

[Geofa 108]

My understanding is that Ads-B may change all this within a couple of years.http://adsb.tc.faa.gov/ADS-B.htmhttp://mywebpages.comcast.net/geofa/pages/rxp-pilot.jpg

[Jeff Nielsen 1,386]

I made a call to a friend of mine, Mike E (local KC Lear45 Captain and Avsim freeware scenery contributor), and as suspected, there are all kinds of sub rules that will apply differently to everyone.Sorry not to be able to answer the original poster about foreign a/c entering the US. I do believe though that Canadian carriers probably have it on board as their rules are pretty close to ours if I'm not mistaken.I don't think that for GA aircraft you have to worry about it at this time. We don't here is US anyways.

[Guest jboweruk]

I would have thought it's a pretty moot point with airliners as most (if not all) modern jet airliners have TCAS as standard don't they?

[Jeff Nielsen 1,386]

For the US I think so, yes.

[Shaka 2]

This was pretty good info. Thanks all.- Martin

[Guest jboweruk]

As far as I know it's a legal requirement in Europe too, ever since that Russian plane hit the DHL one a few years back.edit: Called ACAS in Europe and mandatory for all aircraft over 5700KGs in weight.edit again: here from a page on aviation law, it was on an FAQ page:The carriage and operation of ACAS/TCAS is not an RVSM requirement. However, the ICAO Regional Supplementary Procedures for Europe (Doc 7030/4) require that ACAS II be carried and operated in the European Region by all civil, fixed-wing turbine-engined aircraft having a maximum take-off mass exceeding 5700 kg or a maximum approved passenger seating configuration of more than 19.

[Guest kombi]

>As far as I know it's a legal requirement in Europe too, ever>since that Russian plane hit the DHL one a few years back.Both aircraft involved in that incident had TCAS installed.

[Guest jboweruk]

That's right I remember now, it's because the Russian crew were arguing over whether to obey TCAS or ATC, and by the time the pilot settled on ATC it was way too late. Thanks for the correction.