Oral Exam English

ORAL EXAM

How do you think so many planes can be in the sky without crashing into each other?

Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)

• Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) → Système de prévention des collisions en vol
• Transponder → Transpondeur (appareil qui échange des signaux radio pour identifier un avion)
• Traffic Advisory (TA) → Alerte de trafic (avertissement indiquant qu’un avion est proche)
• Resolution Advisory (RA) → Alerte de résolution (instruction immédiate pour éviter une collision)
• Autonomous → Autonome (fonctionne sans intervention humaine)
• Trajectory → Trajectoire (chemin suivi par un avion en vol)
• Surveillance system → Système de surveillance (ensemble des technologies pour suivre les avions)
• Air traffic controller → Contrôleur aérien (personne qui gère la circulation des avions)
• Collision course → Trajectoire de collision (itinéraire qui mène à un choc entre avions)
• Freighter → Avion cargo (avion destiné au transport de marchandises)

Difficult words

• Principle and operation of TCAS
• Integration of TCAS in modern aviation
• Case studies and TCAS limitations

Summary

Principle and operation of TCAS

Integration of TCAS in modern aviation

Boeing 747 and an Airbus A320 in 2011

Tupolev Tu-154 and a Boeing 757 in 2002

Case studies and TCAS limitations

Conclusion

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• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) - https://www.icao.int → TCAS regulations and international standards.

• Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) - https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/direction-generale-laviation-civile-dgac

→ TCAS rules and requirements in France.

• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - https://www.faa.gov

→ Technical explanations of TCAS operation and pilot training.

• Eurocontrol - https://www.eurocontrol.int

→ Air traffic management in Europe and the role of TCAS.

• Report on the Überlingen disaster (2002) - https://aviation-safety.net → Case study of a TCAS failure and its consequences.

Webography

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What is the main function of TCAS?

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TCAS is used to avoid mid-air collisions by detecting other aircraft and giving instructions to pilots.

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What is the difference between a TA alert and an RA alert?

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A TA (Traffic Advisory) simply warns that an aircraft is close, while a RA (Resolution Advisory) gives an immediate instruction to avoid a collision.

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Why should pilots always follow TCAS instructions?

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Because TCAS reacts faster and more accurately than an air traffic controller in the event of a risk of collision.

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QUESTIONS

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