L 3 Communications Avionics Systems TRC497 SkyWatch Traffic Advisory System User Manual Pilot s Guide for SKYWATCH SKY497
L-3 Communications, Avionics Systems SkyWatch Traffic Advisory System Pilot s Guide for SKYWATCH SKY497
Contents
Pilots Guide part 1 of 2
$12.00 U.S.
Traffic Advisory System
Pilot’s Guide
for the
Model SKY497
EYES THAT NEVER BLINK™
Early Traffic Advisory Systems
In the early days of flight, when air traffic was light and slower moving, pilots were
equipped with all they needed for effective collision avoidance–a sharp pair of eyes to scan
the horizon.
Even today, visual contact is still the surest means of identifying intruder aircraft. But with
more traffic in closer proximity and at higher speeds, today’s pilots need all the help they
can get.
For large commercial airliners, this need led to the development of
TCAS II
(Traffic Alert
and Collision Avoidance System II); but that technology has proved to be too expensive
and complex for most regional airlines, business, and general aviation aircraft.
SKYWATCH™
BFGoodrich Avionics Systems, Inc. recognized the need for a viable alternative to
TCAS II
and developed their
TCAS I
; but even
TCAS I
has proved to be too expensive for small
business and general aviation aircraft. That’s why
BFG
developed the
SKYWATCH
™
model
SKY497
Traffic Advisory System.
The
SKY497
provides most of the capabilities of
TCAS I
, but at a significantly lower cost
making it practical for small aircraft. In addition, the
SKY497
can share the display that
comes with the
STORMSCOPE
®
model
WX-1000
so there’s no need to buy another display
if you already own a
WX-1000
display (part number 78-8060-5900-8). The
SKY497
can also
display its traffic information on a growing number of multifunction displays from
companies such as Avidyne, Eventide, and Garmin. You can even display
SKYWATCH
traffic information on a compatible weather radar indicator via the
BFG
Radar Graphics
Computer, model
RGC250
.
Proven Experience
BFGoodrich Avionics Systems, Inc. has been involved in the development of collision
warning programs since the early 1980’s. In 1985,
BFG
began development of an
enhanced collision warning system for the U.S. Navy which awarded
BFG
a contract for
systems to be installed in T-34C training aircraft.
Based largely on the success of the Navy project,
BFG
was selected to validate the
specifications for
TCAS I
under an
ARINC
contract with the
FAA
. The completion of this
contract represented another first for
BFG’s
TCAS I
unit, the
TCAS791
; it was the first
TCAS
I
to be
TSO’d
, first to receive a full, unrestricted
STC
, first to fly, and first to be delivered.
The BFGoodrich tradition of aerospace innovation dates back to the earliest days of
powered flight when
BFG
supplied tires for the Glenn Curtiss pusher. Since then,
BFG
has
developed a wide range of aerospace products and services including flight instrumen-
tation and avionics.
ASKY497 Pilot’s Guide
$12.00 U.S.
modifications, or products at any time without notice.
© Copyright 1997, 2000
BFGoodrich Avionics Systems, Inc.
SKYWATCH
™
,
EYES THAT NEVER BLINK
™
, and
STORMSCOPE
®
are trademarks of
BFGoodrich Avionics Systems, Inc.
Designed and manufactured in the United States of America by
Methods and apparatus disclosed and described herein have been developed solely on company funds of
BFGoodrich Avionics Systems, Inc. No government or other contractual support or relationship whatsoever has
existed which in any way affects or mitigates proprietary rights of BFGoodrich Avionics Systems, Inc. in these
developments. Methods and apparatus disclosed herein may be subject to U.S. Patents existing or applied for.
BFGoodrich Avionics Systems, Inc. reserves the right to add, improve, modify, or withdraw functions, design
Traffic Advisory System
Pilot’s Guide
for the
Model SKY497
ii SKY497 Pilot’s Guide
Safety Summary
These warnings and cautions appear later in this guide and are repeated here for emphasis:
(page 2-4)
To avoid power surges that could damage the
SKY497
and the
optional
WX-1000
, start your engines before turning on the
SKY497
.
(page 2-8)
If the
SKY497
is in
SKYWATCH
mode, the display will not auto-
matically switch into
STORMSCOPE
mode to display thunder-
storms or
STORMSCOPE
errors: You must use the remote
SKY-
WATCH
/
STORMSCOPE
mode switch to periodically check for
thunderstorms or
STORMSCOPE
errors.
(page 2-8)
The
SKY497
relies on information obtained from transponders in
nearby aircraft. The
SKY497
does not detect or track aircraft which
are not equipped with an operating
ATCRBS
transponder.
(page 2-8)
The
SKY497
does not track intruder aircraft approaching at a
closure rate greater than 900 knots.
(page 2-8)
Some traffic within the chosen display range may not be displayed
due to traffic prioritizing or antenna shielding.
(page 2-8)
Optimum
SKY497
performance is realized when intruder aircraft
are reporting their altitude (via a mode C or other altitude
reporting transponder).
(page 2-9)
Do not attempt evasive maneuvers based solely on traffic informa-
tion shown on the
SKY497
display. Information on the display is
provided to the flight crew as an aid in visually acquiring traffic; it
is not a replacement for
ATC
and See & Avoid techniques.
Table of Contents
Page
List of Illustrations............................................................................iv
List of Tables....................................................................................iv
Chapter 1 System Description.........................................................1-1
General Description.............................................................................................1-1
Transmitter Receiver Computer (TRC)..................................................................1-1
Directional Antenna.............................................................................................1-1
Display.................................................................................................................1-2
Interaction of Major Components.........................................................................1-2
Functional Description.........................................................................................1-4
Features...............................................................................................................1-4
Chapter 2 Operating Instructions....................................................2-1
Controls & Indicators..........................................................................................2-1
Turn On the SKY497...........................................................................................2-4
Run the Operator-Initiated Self Test......................................................................2-4
Switch Between Standby and Normal Operating Mode..........................................2-6
Change the Display Range....................................................................................2-6
Change the Altitude Display Mode.......................................................................2-7
Switch Between SKYWATCH
™
and STORMSCOPE
®
Modes (Optional)............2-8
Observe the Display..............................................................................................2-8
Respond to Traffic Advisories...............................................................................2-9
Turn Off the SKY497 and the Optional WX-1000................................................2-9
Failure Response...................................................................................................2-9
Operate the Optional WX-1000 When the SKY497 is Removed.........................2-10
Operate the SKY497 When the Optional WX-1000 is Removed.........................2-10
Chapter 3 Principles of Operation....................................................3-1
Introduction........................................................................................................3-1
Sensitivity Levels..................................................................................................3-1
Sensitivity Level A............................................................................................3-2
Sensitivity Level B.............................................................................................3-2
Audio Inhibit, SKY497.........................................................................................3-2
Audio Inhibit, GPWS...........................................................................................3-4
TA Symbol Duration............................................................................................3-4
Ground Target Filtering........................................................................................3-4
Chapter 4 Display Interpretation.....................................................4-1
Introduction........................................................................................................4-1
Chapter 5 Specifications.................................................................5-1
Chapter 6 Warranty Information.....................................................6-1
Introduction........................................................................................................6-1
Warranty Statement..............................................................................................6-1
Related Policies and Procedures.............................................................................6-2
SKY497 Pilot’s Guide iii
List of Illustrations
Figure Title Page
1-1 SKY497 Major Components.....................................................................1-1
1-2 Display with Typical SKYWATCH Screen.................................................1-2
1-3 Display with Typical STORMSCOPE Screen (Optional).............................1-2
1-4 SKY497 Simplified Functional Diagram....................................................1-3
1-5 Altitude Display Modes and Traffic Zones..................................................1-5
2-1 SKY497 Controls and Indicators...............................................................2-1
2-2 BFGoodrich Screen...................................................................................2-5
2-3 SKY497 Standby Screen............................................................................2-5
2-4 In-Flight Traffic Screen..............................................................................2-5
2-5 SKY497 Failed Screen...............................................................................2-5
2-6 Operator-Initiated Test Screen...................................................................2-5
2-7 Traffic Screen Set on 6 nmi Range.............................................................2-6
2-8 Traffic Screen Set on 2 nmi Range.............................................................2-6
2-9 Altitude Display Modes.............................................................................2-7
3-1 TA Zones If Your Aircraft Has a Radio Altimeter........................................3-3
3-2 TA Zones If Your Aircraft Has No Radio Altimeter, But Does Have
Retractable Landing Gear..........................................................................3-3
3-3 TA Zones If Your Aircraft Has Fixed Landing Gear and No Radio Altimeter3-4
4-1 Traffic Advisory and Other Traffic.............................................................4-1
4-2 Out-of-Range Traffic Advisory....................................................................4-1
4-3 Non-Altitude-Reporting Traffic..................................................................4-2
4-4 SKY497 Standby Screen............................................................................4-2
4-5 SKY497 Failed Screen...............................................................................4-2
iv SKY497 Pilot’s Guide
List of Tables
Table Title Page
2-1 SKY497 Controls and Indicators...............................................................2-1
3-1 Ten Situations in Which a Traffic Advisory Will Occur..............................3-1
5-1 Transmitter Receiver Computer (TRC497) Specifications...........................5-1
5-2 WX-1000/SKY497 Display Specifications.................................................5-2
5-3 NY164 Directional Antenna Specifications................................................5-2
SKY497
System Description
Pilot’s Guide 1-1
Chapter 1
System Description
General Description
The
SKYWATCH
™
model
SKY497
from BFGoodrich Avionics Systems, Inc. is an airborne
Traffic Advisory System (
TAS
). It monitors the airspace around your aircraft and advises the
flight crew where to look for transponder-equipped aircraft that may pose a collision threat.
The
SKY497
is intended for use by corporate and general aviation aircraft. Figure 1-1 shows
the major components of the
SKY497
.
The
SKY497
displays traffic information on a
BFG WX-1000/SKY497
display and generates
aural announcements on the cockpit audio system. The display can be dedicated to the
SKY497
or shared with a
STORMSCOPE
®
Weather Mapping System (model
WX-1000
)
using a remote
SKYWATCH/STORMSCOPE
mode switch.
Traffic information on the
CRT
display consists of green symbols and text. The traffic
information generally includes the relative range, bearing, and altitude of intruder aircraft.
SKY497 Pilot’s Guide
Transmitter Receiver Computer (TRC)
The
TRC
is the primary unit of the
SKY497
. It contains the circuitry necessary to convert
inputs from the directional antenna and from other aircraft systems into an on-screen
representation of intruding aircraft, and if necessary, aural traffic advisories. The
TRC
can
track up to 30 intruder aircraft simultaneously, but to reduce clutter, the
SKY497
only
displays the eight most threatening intruders being tracked. The
TRC
also contains Built-In
Test Equipment (
BITE
) which detects faults and verifies proper operation.
Directional Antenna
The directional antenna transmits omnidirectional mode C interrogations and receives
directional replies from other transponder-equipped aircraft in the vicinity.
Figure 1-1. SKY497 Major Components
Directional AntennaTRCDisplay
1-2 Pilot’s Guide
System Description
SKY497
Display
The display is a self-contained,
3-ATI
-sized unit with a high resolution, green monochrome
Cathode Ray Tube (
CRT
) display. The bezel contains four momentary contact push-button
switches and an on/off/brightness knob. The display provides control and display
functions for the
SKY497
and for a
WX-1000
STORMSCOPE
(if installed).
The display does not display traffic and storm information simultaneously. The position of
a remote
SKYWATCH/STORMSCOPE
mode switch determines whether the display dis-
plays traffic or storm information; however, if you’re in
STORMSCOPE
mode and the
SKY497
detects traffic that may pose an immediate threat to your aircraft, the display will
temporarily switch to
SKYWATCH
mode. Figure 1-2 shows the display with a typical
SKYWATCH
screen. Figure 1-3 shows the display with a typical
STORMSCOPE
screen.
MENU
CLEAR
120$
25
100nm
300$
BRT
OFF
NRM 6nm
-13
+01
+25
+10
+05
BRT
OFF
Figure 1-3.Display with Typical STORMSCOPE
Screen (Optional)
Figure 1-2.Display with Typical SKYWATCH
Screen
Interaction of Major Components
Figure 1-4 shows how the major components of the
SKY497
connect to each other and to
other aircraft systems.
Notes on Figure 1-4:
1.The optional radio altitude input affects the
SKY497
audio inhibit
feature, the ground target filtering feature, and the sensitivity levels
feature. (See chapter 3 for details.)
2.A flight data computer or other Arinc 429 output device may replace
individual analog sensors for supplying barometric altitude & heading.
3.The
SKY497
will work without a heading input, but it will experience
degraded performance during high-rate-of-turn maneuvers.
4.The
SKY497
may be installed on aircraft with fixed landing gear. The
optional landing gear position input affects the sensitivity levels feature.
(See chapter 3 for details.)
SKY497
System Description
Pilot’s Guide 1-3
5. This audio inhibit input is only required if you have a Ground
Proximity Warning System installed.
6. The position of the
SKYWATCH/STORMSCOPE
mode switch deter-
mines whether the display displays
SKYWATCH
or
STORMSCOPE
information. The switch also determines whether the buttons on the
display control the
SKYWATCH
or
STORMSCOPE
system.
7. The optional
MFD
or
RGC250
/radar indicator can be in place of, or in
addition to the standard
WX-1000/SKY497
display.
8. The flight data
RS-422
output and the diagnostic
RS-232
input/output
are not required for normal
SKY497
operation.
Aircraft
Audio
System
Aircraft Power
Flight Data (RS-422)
8
SKYWATCH
Display
ARINC429
SKYWATCH
Control
Diagnostic Commands
and Status (RS-232)
8
Arinc 429 Radio
Altimeter or Flight
Data Computer
(Optional)
SKYWATCH/
STORMSCOPE
Mode Switch
Data
Recorder
(Optional)
Third-Party
MFD or BFG
RGC250/
Radar
Indicator
(Optional)
7
Diagnostic
Equipment
(Optional)
Squat Switch
(Optional)
GPWS (Optional)
Landing Gear
Switch (Optional)
WX-1000
Processor
STORMSCOPE
WX-1000
Maintenance
Switch
Aircraft Compass
System
Aircraft
Suppression Bus
Encoding Altimeter
Arinc 429
Radio Altitude
1
SKYWATCH/
STORMSCOPE
Mode Selection
Barometric Altitude
2
SKYWATCH
STORMSCOPE
or
Display
6STORMSCOPE
Display
TRC On/Off Control
When WX-1000 is
Powered Down or
Removed
WX-1000
On/Off Control
Display Power/
TRC On/Off Control
Display Power
TRC
SKYWATCH
STORMSCOPE
or
Control
6
STORMSCOPE
Control
On/Off Control
STORMSCOPE
Option
14 or 28 V dc
Aural TA's
Heading
TX/RX Inhibit
Landing Gear Position
4
Audio Inhibit
5
Weight On Wheels
Display
Directional
Antenna
Transponder
Replies
Transponder
Replies
Transponder
Interrogations
SKY497
Intruder Aircraft
Transponder
Interrogations
2,3
Figure 1-4. SKY497 Simplified Functional Diagram
1-4 Pilot’s Guide
System Description
SKY497
Functional Description
The
SKY497
is an active system that operates as an aircraft-to-aircraft interrogation device.
The
SKY497
interrogates transponders in the surrounding airspace similar to the way that
ground-based radar interrogates aircraft transponders. When the
SKY497
receives replies
to its interrogations, it computes the responding aircraft’s range, bearing, relative altitude,
and closure rate. The
SKY497
then plots the traffic location and predicts collision threats.
Figure 1-5 shows the
SKY497
altitude display modes (look up, look down, and normal).
The figure also shows the traffic zones around your aircraft and the traffic symbols that
appear on the display when intruding aircraft enter one of those zones.
A solid circle is the visual part of the Traffic Advisory (
TA
) that the
SKY497
generates when
it predicts that an intruder aircraft may pose a collision threat. The aural part of the
TA
,
“traffic, traffic,” is annunciated over a cockpit speaker or headset. An open diamond
represents traffic that does not pose an immediate collision threat.
The
SKY497
uses either sensitivity level A (
SLA
) or sensitivity level B (
SLB
) to determine
when to display a
TA
. In general,
SLB
is used during the in-flight phase and
SLA
is used
during takeoff and landing. Sensitivity levels and other factors affecting the display of traffic
symbols are discussed in detail in chapter 3. Look up, look down, and normal altitude
display modes are described in chapter 2.
Features
• Tracks up to 30 intruder aircraft (displays the 8 most threatening)
• Tracks intruder aircraft approaching at closure rates up to 900 knots
• Fraction of the cost of a
TCAS I
or
II
• Does not require a mode S transponder
• Two horizontal display ranges (6 nmi and 2 nmi)
• Three altitude display modes: normal (±2,700 ft), look up (–2,700 ft to +9,000 ft), and
look down (–9,000 ft to +2,700 ft)
• Generates visual and aural advisories of aircraft that may pose a collision threat
• Automatic and pilot-initiated self test functions
• High-resolution, green monochrome,
CRT
display
• Can transmit interrogations from the ground as well as from the air
• Can share a display with the
STORMSCOPE
WX-1000
• Can display its traffic information on a compatible weather radar indicator (via a
BFG
RGC250
) or on a third-party multifunction display in addition to, or in place of the
BFG
display.
• Automatically switches back to the
SKYWATCH
screen from the
STORMSCOPE
screen when a
TA
is issued
• Uses only one antenna
• Display fits in a standard
3-ATI
cutout in the cockpit panel
SKY497
System Description
Pilot’s Guide 1-5
Figure 1-5. Altitude Display Modes and Traffic Zones
0.2 nmi
0.55 nmi
6 nmi
+2700 ft
–2700 ft
+9000 ft
Intruder Aircraft
–9000 ft
*15 seconds for non-altitude reporting intruder aircraft
Not To Scale
+800 ft
–800 ft
+600 ft
–600 ft
6 nmi
SensitivityLevelA
Look Down (BLW)
Look Up (ABV)
Normal (NRM)
0 ft
**20 seconds for non-altitude reporting intruder aircraft
Refer to chapter 3 for details. CPA means Closest Point of Approach.
*
**