Garmin G1000 Pilot's Training Guide (-05) - Page 54

TRAFFIC AWARENSS Traffic Collision and Avoidance Systems (TCAS) represent another technological advance that has been made in the area of traffic avoidance. Originally developed for large commercial aircraft, TCAS technology is now starting to trickle down features and capabilities to the GA feet. For example, the GTX 33 Mode-S Transponder can be used as an optional component in GIFDequipped aircraft and brings Traffic Information Service (TIS) data directly to the cockpit.3 TIS data is provided and transmitted by the FAA over Mode-S terminal radar sites and is derived from the actual transponder returns of aircraft as seen on the air traffic controller's scope. A key difference between TIS and a TCAS system is that TIS should only be used as an additional tool to see and avoid traffic. Therefore, the pilot should not become reliant on TIS and try to avoid traffic solely by reference to the traffic display in the cockpit. Mode-S radar coverage and TIS service are only available in areas equipped with Mode-S terminal radar. Since TIS service may not always be available in the enroute environment, the pilot should not entirely depend on this tool to acquire traffic visually and should always scan for traffic. Deviations should not be performed until the pilot has visually acquired the threat traffic. TERRAIN AWARENESS The last tool to be discussed given its benefit to the ADM process is the new generation of GA terrain awareness systems. Terrain awareness systems are split into two generic classes, that is, certified systems and non-certified systems. Certified devices are classified as Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems, classes A and B (TAWS-A and TAWS-B). These systems provide a number of terrain avoidance features that are not available in the non-certified terrain awareness systems. The GIFD includes a non-certified terrain awareness feature that can be displayed on both the MFD and the PFD Inset Map. TAWS-B is an option available on certain GIFDequipped aircraft. A map terrain overlay is available to depict dangerous terrain elevations relative to aircraft altitude. Red terrain indicates that terrain elevation is within 100 feet of or higher than the aircraft altitude. Yellow terrain indicates that terrain is within 1,000 feet of the aircraft altitude. These two colors allow the pilot to look at the planned route and then decide on an optimal altitude for completion of the flight. This color scheme also provides additional situational awareness during the critical approach phases of the flight in both VFR and IFR conditions. With the interest in preventing Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT) accidents, even simple situation awareness tools such as the built-in GIFD terrain awareness feature can provide yet another helpful input to the ADM process. 50 GIFD Pilot's Training Guide 190-00368-05 Rev. B