User Guide Part 1

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.
A SKY497 Pilot’s Guide