AVWEB: The traffic alert and collision avoidance systems used in thousands of aircraft need to be upgraded, the FAA said this week, to prevent them from missing targets in high-density areas. During a flight test, a TCAS unit built by Aviation Communications & Surveillance Systems (ACSS) dropped several aircraft tracks because of interference limiting, the FAA said. The dropped tracks could “compromise separation of air traffic and lead to subsequent mid-air collisions,” according to the proposed airworthiness directive. The fix will cost about $3,000 per airplane, the FAA said. The units are installed on about 7,000 aircraft operated by U.S. airlines and more than 1,800 business aircraft, an FAA spokeswoman told The Wall Street Journal. More…
AOPA The Wall Street Journal reports that the Federal Aviation Administration has made public its concerns over midair collision warning devices installed on nearly 9,000 U.S airliners and business aircraft. The FAA is reportedly recommending software upgrades for aircraft using the Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems manufactured by a unit of L-3 Communications Holdings Inc. The Wall Street Journal
