New Android App released for Pilots showing Aircraft Traffic (TCAS)

[swedeflyer]

TrafficAssist, a new Android App that displays Airplane Traffic uncluttered to help you with Situational Awareness in avoiding a possible Collision. The App follows closely the TCAS II protocol (Except Resolution Advisories ‘RA’) using the ADSB data over Wifi using the GDL90 open protocol.

Types of ADSB-In receivers that functions with TrafficAssist:

• Stratux/FlightBox (Falken Avionics)

• Appareo Stratus 3 (in Open GDL90/Open GDL Mode)

• uAvionics PingUSB

• GRT Discovery ADSB

• Dynon SV-ADSB-472 (Using the Dynon WI-FI Adapter for SkyView)

• Levil Aviation iLevil

• other ADSB-IN devices supporting the GDL90 format using Wifi



It is highly customizable, for example you can have trend lines or not,

You can display tail numbers, you can display make and model.

The App also supports sharing the ADSB data stream for other EFB apps when used on the same tablet.

This app is free, to have an unrestricted version of the app you can purchase it for a nominal fee, search for "TrafficAssist" (One Word) in Google Play.

The free version is called “TrafficAssist Demo”

Here are some comments about the early adopters of this App:

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/// Interesting app. It is only for traffic information. But it does a great job. If, like me, you find the traffic displays on the map apps, EFB's difficult to see, this app is what is needed. With different settings, selectable by the user, clean screen view, along with the ability to split screen with a map app, this allows one less tablet in your lap, and a great traffic view. Using this app just one time, will make you a believer. No more squinting to find traffic on the map app.

/// The fantastic application mimics big boys (commercial airplanes) and high-end avionics' dedicated cockpit applications. Highly configurable to your flying taste.

/// This APP does an excellent job of providing ADSB-IN traffic information while in flight. It integrates with a number of ADSB devices (I use a PING) and works seamlessly on my Samsung phone and tablet - you can even display an overlay in your EFB APP such as Foreflight or Oz Runways. The APP is simple in its presentation however the menu provides a number of customizable options so you can set it up to suit your needs. Best of all the developer is responsive to product improvements.

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To learn more about the App you can peruse the TrafficAssist User Guide:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-7Vcgeh-3F3uLpFFVXqcWeOa8RFywHcA/view?usp=sharing

To learn more about the TCASII specification by the FAA:

https://www.faa.gov/documentlibrary/media/advisory_circular/tcas ii v7.1 intro booklet.pdf

Try it, it is a game changer for me....

 

[planenutz]

As an early adopter of this APP I can highly recommend it. Its now my go-to for ADSB-IN traffic information, whether I'm on a cross country or just zooming around the local patch. Give it a go.

 

[lndwarrior]

Can someone explain how this display or functionality is better than my Stratus ESG ADSB display on say Foreflight or IFly GPS with the sectional underlay?

At first glance it seems less clear...

Also, how does the APP differ from a true TCAS system/display (I've never used one)?

Thx!

 

[Snowflake]

I think the idea is that it does mimic the TCAS display, so anyone familiar with that would be instantly familiar here.

But for a GA VFR pilot I don't see the value over FltPlan Go and a Stratux... To use this i'd have to give up my moving map on my tablet.

 

[blaplante]

I'm thinking as an Android App, it could run on a small retired Android phone and give a dedicated traffic display.
with some 3D print work, maybe panel mount an old phone even.

 

[Thermos]

I like the display, and really like the list of aircraft types with speed and altitude - I wish my G3X Touch traffic display did that.

About the traffic alerts...a tremendous amount of validation and testing went into TCAS and ADS-B traffic alerting, I'd be very wary of relying on alerts from an app without any insight into who developed it and how it was built and tested.

ds

 

[swedeflyer]

Can someone explain how this display or functionality is better than my Stratus ESG ADSB display on say Foreflight or IFly GPS with the sectional underlay?

BASICALLY LESS CLUTTER, HAVING TRAFFIC ON A VFR TYPE MAP ALTHOUGH A GAMECHANGER IN AND OF ITSELF, HAVING IT ON A DEDICATED DISPLAY MAKES IT MUCH MORE USEFUL

At first glance it seems less clear...

Also, how does the APP differ from a true TCAS system/display (I've never used one)?

A TRUE TCAS II SYSTEM IS AN ACTIVE SYSTEM BASICALLY USING THE 1090ES TRANSPONDER AND ADDITIONAL HARDWARE, TWO CONFLICTING AIRCRAFTS 'TALK' TO EACH OTHER AND WHEN CLOSE THEY WILL ISSUE A RESOLUTION ADVISORY 'RA', E.G. IT WILL TELL ONE AIRCRAFT TO CLIMB AND THE OTHER ONE TO SATY LEVEL OR DESCEND.
TRAFFICASSIST DOES NOT ISSUE A RESOLUTION ADVISORY 'RA', AS THE ADSB DATA IS READ-ONLY (PASSIVE) THE THRESHOLD FOR 'RA' IS THERE IN THE APP BUT IT IS CALLED 'CRITICAL TRAFFIC ADVISORY'. OTHERWISE IT FOLLOWS THE TCASII SPEC AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE

Thx!

 

[swedeflyer]

I like the display, and really like the list of aircraft types with speed and altitude - I wish my G3X Touch traffic display did that.

About the traffic alerts...a tremendous amount of validation and testing went into TCAS and ADS-B traffic alerting, I'd be very wary of relying on alerts from an app without any insight into who developed it and how it was built and tested.

ds

YOU SHOULD BE WARY, BUT WHO SAYS THAT OTHER APPS DOES THAT, TRUST BUT VERIFY.

 

[swedeflyer]

I think the idea is that it does mimic the TCAS display, so anyone familiar with that would be instantly familiar here.

But for a GA VFR pilot I don't see the value over FltPlan Go and a Stratux... To use this i'd have to give up my moving map on my tablet.

NO, YOU DON'T YOU CAN IN FACT HAVE BOTH YOUR FAVORITE EFB AND A DEDICATED TCAS DISPLAY ON THE SAME TABLET

 

[swedeflyer]

I like the display, and really like the list of aircraft types with speed and altitude - I wish my G3X Touch traffic display did that.

About the traffic alerts...a tremendous amount of validation and testing went into TCAS and ADS-B traffic alerting, I'd be very wary of relying on alerts from an app without any insight into who developed it and how it was built and tested.

ds

btw, if you're interested in the test effort and validation you can contact me directly;
[email protected]

 

[jclark]

As one of the testers of this app during development, I can say that "swedeflyer" listened to us and always tried to address any concerns we had.

Now, in my plane, I already have at least four (4) displays that can address traffic, so i can dedicate one to worry about that, BUT(!!!) ...

Where I see this being very applicable is where someone has a limited panel and maybe have an iPad but want to declutter the iPad app. Or, if traffic is a BIG deal for you, you can get a CHEAP Android tablet and have a dedicated traffic display.

The basic idea here is that "swedeflyer" is making available an alternative and dedicated TRAFFIC DISPLAY. And for some people, this is what they have been wanting.

 

[Snowflake]

NO, YOU DON'T YOU CAN IN FACT HAVE BOTH YOUR FAVORITE EFB AND A DEDICATED TCAS DISPLAY ON THE SAME TABLET

Only if your tablet supports split-screen multitasking, butif it does, then yes.

 

[swedeflyer]

Only if your tablet supports split-screen multitasking, butif it does, then yes.

With one caveat:
You must have TrafficAssist running, which will forward the data stream on the other Port. If you do not use TrafficAssist, then you cannot have 2 apps on the same device use the data stream, this because the producer of the data stream, the ADSB-IN device uses a UNICAST UPD protocol.

 

[FlyGuy65]

Is an IPhone version available?

 

[Walt]

Advertising this as a "TCAS" system is misleading at best, it is not a TCAS system.
Maybe it's a great app, don't know, but it's not TCAS.

 

[Paul 5r4]

Is it called TrafficAssist? I can't find it.
Edited: Actually, I can't find anything regarding this app. Nothing when googled and nothing in the apps store on my android tablet.

 

[swedeflyer]

Is it called TrafficAssist? I can't find it.
Edited: Actually, I can't find anything regarding this app. Nothing when googled and nothing in the apps store on my android tablet.

A Ghost App, well, Google Play kind of tries to figure out if you have a device that could run this, overkill.
Anyway here's a link to teh App:

TrafficAssist - Apps on Google Play

Small Aircraft Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance (TCAS) using ADSB-In data

play.google.com

Peter

 

[swedeflyer]

Advertising this as a "TCAS" system is misleading at best, it is not a TCAS system.
Maybe it's a great app, don't know, but it's not TCAS.

Can you expand on that thought, what makes you think that the APP is NOT a TCAS app, note that TCAS stands for Traffic alert and Collision Avoidance System
I'd be curious,
Cheers,
Peter

 

[swedeflyer]

Is an IPhone version available?

Nope sorry, Android only, you can get a Samsung 8" Tablet for about $120, can't beat that. Or if you have an old beater phone Android you can use that too unless it's super old.
Cheers,
Peter

 

[Dad's RV-10]

Can you expand on that thought, what makes you think that the APP is NOT a TCAS app, note that TCAS stands for Traffic alert and Collision Avoidance System
I'd be curious,
Cheers,
Peter

Does your system provide Resolution Advisories (RA's)? RA's are a core aspect of TCAS.

If both conflicting aircraft are TCAS equipped, the systems communicate to generate a safe escape maneuver. This would advise one aircraft to climb while advising the other to either descend or maintain level, until clear of conflict. If only one aircraft is TCAS equipped, the system will generate an RA based on the ADS information received from the conflicting target.

RA's are what make a system a Collision Avoidance System. Without RA's, it's simply a Traffic Alerting System.

 

[swedeflyer]

Does your system provide Resolution Advisories (RA's)? RA's are a core aspect of TCAS.

If both conflicting aircraft are TCAS equipped, the systems communicate to generate a safe escape maneuver. This would advise one aircraft to climb while advising the other to either descend or maintain level, until clear of conflict. If only one aircraft is TCAS equipped, the system will generate an RA based on the ADS information received from the conflicting target.

RA's are what make a system a Collision Avoidance System. Without RA's, it's simply a Traffic Alerting System.

Yes TrafficAssist relies on passive ADSB-IN information thus NO RA's. ALL commersial aircraft operating in US airspace must be TCAS compliant, of course if it encounters a small airplane then it will for alert the pilot and given the thrust it can do a 4 - 6000 ascent. Also know that the TCASII only gives vertical guidane, well, they did have a TCASIII proposal, but the equipment did not meet standard for lateral avoidance maneuvers, so therefore the standard was scrapped.

Yes, you can be cute and dissect the literal of what TCAS means. I intend to make the best possible tool for small airplanes simply to help in collision avoidance. Without Resolution advisories the it is still in my opinion a Traffic Avoidance System. If you disagree that's OK.

If you peruse the TrafficAssist User guide you will see the Caveats of using this system:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-7Vcgeh-3F3uLpFFVXqcWeOa8RFywHcA/view?usp=sharing

To learn more about the TCASII specification by the FAA:

https://www.faa.gov/documentlibrary/media/advisory_circular/tcas ii v7.1 intro booklet.pdf

To have a dedicated Traffic Display has been a game changer for me, been using it with EFBs prior, which is also fantastic..

Cheers,

Peter

 

[Dad's RV-10]

Yes, you can be cute and dissect the literal of what TCAS means.

I'm not trying to be cute or criticize. I'm just stating how TCAS functions vs. your app's functionality.

I commend you on your effort.

 

[swedeflyer]

I'm not trying to be cute or criticize. I'm just stating how TCAS functions vs. your app's functionality.

I commend you on your effort.

OK, reason for using the TCAS wording was that I closely followed the iconage and levels, proximate, other advisory etc. of the TCASII spec. I liked the spec as the iconage is very specific and very simple, I added some other functionality to the app such as identifyingthe aircraft etc.

If there is more pushback on this I guess I should make the TAS reference instead (Traffic Alert System),

Cheers,

Peter

Btw, If you have the adsb-in devices I support let me know I get you the full blown version

 

[Walt]

TCAS is also an 'active' system as I'm sure you know, (it doesn't rely on ground stations or ADS-b).
ADS-b is a great traffic alerting system as well, but it's not TCAS.

 

[swedeflyer]

TCAS is also an 'active' system as I'm sure you know, (it doesn't rely on ground stations or ADS-b).
ADS-b is a great traffic alerting system as well, but it's not TCAS.

Well, my ADSB-IN device (Stratux) receives both 1090 and 978MHz, the 1090 are directly received from other Aircrafts just like the TCAS system, the 978 is like you said Ground station based. I receive both types and threat them equally. Here in the NYC area I easily get between 150 and 200 targets, sometimes more.
Peter