User Guide Part 1

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