GPS Application to General Aviation Collision Avoidance

Jonathan C. Baldwin and Alexander E. Smith

Abstract:	This paper describes the application of GPS to the FAA’s safety mission of traffic collision avoidance, specifically to GA. TCAS I-which alerts pilots to nearby aircraft-is now being installed by the commuter airlines, but its sophisticated design and comparatively high cost has restricted more extensive use. Small airplanes have so far had limited access to the TCAS “safety net” and depending on their transponder equipage, are not always detected by airliners, or by ground surveillance systems. The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a Small Business Innovative Research contract to Rannoch for the development of a small, low cost general aviation cockpit device aimed at enhancing air safety by combining Mode S and GPS technology. This paper presents the issues and challenges of designing a system that will satisfy the needs of general aviation and the TCAS community. Nothing contained within this paper is intended to reflect the official position or view of the TCAS Program Office. This paper reflects only the understanding and views of the authors.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 1994 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 24 - 26, 1994 Catamaran Resort Hotel San Diego, CA
Pages:	315 - 321
Cite this article:	Baldwin, Jonathan C., Smith, Alexander E., "GPS Application to General Aviation Collision Avoidance," Proceedings of the 1994 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, San Diego, CA, January 1994, pp. 315-321.
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