Zaon PCAS Supplements 'See And Avoid'

Have you ever wished you could have a collision avoidance system in your light single, but didn't want to spend more than your plane is worth? Zaon may just have the answer.

The company says its Portable Collision Avoidance Systems, or PCAS, may look small, but improvements in RF technology and detection algorithms enable the tiny units to scan and deliver traffic out to five miles in range.

Its MRX model is portable, powered by two "AA" batteries or from aircraft power, allowing pilots to take the unit from aircraft to aircraft.

"Portability is an important new feature of collision avoidance devices," says Jason Clemens, CEO of Zaon Flight Systems, manufacturer of the PCAS systems, including the MRX. "In addition to reducing the price to a tenth of traditional installed collision avoidance systems, pilots now have the ability to take their systems with them."

Zaon claims the MRX can "see" the transmission from another aircraft's transponder when that transponder responds to a hit from a ground station or airborne TCAS. It then displays range and relative altitude of the closest threat, with continuous monitoring of the top 10 threats within the 5 NM scalable detection window. Pilots can scale altitude detection up to +/- 5000 ft.

The unit incorporates a built in solid-state altimeter. That, with data from the Mode C transmissions of other aircraft provides the basis for relative altitude information. The unit uses sunlight-readable LEDs to display all data.

The company says with 98% of aircraft using operating transponders in high-density areas, and nearly 100% of the US in ground radar or TCAS-interrogation coverage, it is nearly impossible to fly in an area where traffic information is not available.

Zaon stresses the MRX is not a substitute for a good traffic scan. In areas of low radar coverage and without a TCAS equipped aircraft to interrogate another plane's transponder, the MRX will not display the position of that aircraft. See and avoid is one of a pilot's most basic responsibilities in VMC.
 
But in a high-density traffic environment, it's nice to know another set of eyes is helping out -- even if they are electronic!

Zaon has priced the MRX at $499.

FMI: www.zaonflight.com