FAA Approves OCAS Audio Visual Warning System | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-04.01.24

Airborne-Unlimited-04.16.24

Airborne-FlightTraining-04.17.24 Airborne-AffordableFlyers-04.18.24

Airborne-Unlimited-04.19.24

Join Us At 0900ET, Friday, 4/10, for the LIVE Morning Brief.
Watch It LIVE at
www.airborne-live.net

Thu, Aug 27, 2009

FAA Approves OCAS Audio Visual Warning System

First Such System Installed, Tested And Approved For Use In National Airspace

The FAA recently published a memo announcing the approved use of Audio Visual Warning Systems (AVWS) in the National Airspace System (NAS) and the administration’s intentions to update Advisory Circular 70/7460-1K, Obstruction Marking and Lighting, the recommended marking standards for obstacles that penetrate the NAS.

An AVWS is described by the FAA as "a system that activates obstruction lighting and audio signals to alert the pilot of potential collisions with obstacles." The FAA memo goes on to state "OCAS is the first AVWS to be installed, tested, and approved in the National Airspace System (NAS)."

An AVWS is designed to significantly reduce the potential for a wire strike or obstacle collision for low flying aircraft. There are over 5000 such incidents/accidents in the National Transportation Safety Board database.

The Obstacle Collision Avoidance System (OCAS) uses a small radar to detect and track an aircraft’s proximity to an obstacle. Two warning zones are defined. The first warning is the activation of medium intensity strobe lights to allow the pilots to visually identify the obstacle. If the pilot does not take avoidance action and the aircraft enters the second warning zone, a VHF broadcast is transmitted to the pilot’s radio. The message includes warning tones and a description such as “POWER LINES…POWER LINES.” The OCAS system has the ability to simultaneously broadcast on several frequencies within the VHF range of 118-136 MHz. The FAA/FCC will determine acceptable broadcast plans based on the geographical location of the system.

No additional onboard equipment is required, which makes it available to almost all aircraft. OCAS says the audio warning is the most powerful aspect of the system as it provides a warning in any type of visibility or weather conditions.

OCAS is currently operational in the US, Canada, and Europe.

FMI: www.ocasinc.com

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (04.16.24)

Aero Linx: International Business Aviation Council Ltd IBAC promotes the growth of business aviation, benefiting all sectors of the industry and all regions of the world. As a non->[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (04.16.24)

"During the annual inspection of the B-24 “Diamond Lil” this off-season, we made the determination that 'Lil' needs some new feathers. Due to weathering, the cloth-cove>[...]

Airborne 04.10.24: SnF24!, A50 Heritage Reveal, HeliCycle!, Montaer MC-01

Also: Bushcat Woes, Hummingbird 300 SL 4-Seat Heli Kit, Carbon Cub UL The newest Junkers is a faithful recreation that mates a 7-cylinder Verner radial engine to the airframe offer>[...]

Airborne 04.12.24: SnF24!, G100UL Is Here, Holy Micro, Plane Tags

Also: Seaplane Pilots Association, Rotax 916’s First Year, Gene Conrad After a decade and a half of struggling with the FAA and other aero-politics, G100UL is in production a>[...]

Airborne-Flight Training 04.17.24: Feds Need Controllers, Spirit Delay, Redbird

Also: Martha King Scholarship, Montaer Grows, Textron Updates Pistons, FlySto The FAA is hiring thousands of air traffic controllers, but the window to apply will only be open for >[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2024 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC