User Guide Part 1
Table Of Contents
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