Name: American Express® Gold Card
Brand: American Express

Air Traffic Control around the world is more advanced than it has ever been. There are strict rules on how close aircraft can fly to ensure that air travel is as safe as possible.

However, like all good safety systems, there should always be multiple layers of backups should the main procedures fail. Should ATC inadvertently allow two aircraft to become too close, there is one final system at the pilot's disposal to save the day.

Aircraft identification

The need to correctly identify aircraft came during WW2 when formations of returning Allied bombers would be infiltrated by German aircraft. Radar systems at the time were in their infancy -- able to detect aircraft, but unable to confirm who they were. A formation of aircraft flying toward the U.K. would come up as a blip on the screen, but there was no way of determining if they were friend or foe.

To help determine if an inbound radar blip was friendly, British scientists developed a system called the parrot. Aircraft were given a unique two-digit code which identified them as a particular aircraft.

Returning Allied bombers used the first transponder systems (Image courtesy of the Town of Gander) — Returning Allied bombers used the first transponder systems. (Photo courtesy of the Town of Gander)

When returning to the U.K., controllers on the ground would instruct pilots to turn their system on by asking them to "squawk your parrot." With the system turned on, the controller on the ground could confirm that the aircraft was friendly. The phrase "squawk" is still in use by controllers and pilots today.

Primary and secondary radar

The radar systems used during the 1940s are what's known as primary radar. The antenna emits a high energy beam into the air, which bounces back off aircraft in the sky. This returning "ping" is then displayed on a screen to the radar operator. However, it's functionality is really only limited to the direction and distance of the aircraft, hence the need for the parrot system.

Secondary radar (or secondary surveillance radar -- SSR) is far more advanced. Not only does it detect the position of the aircraft, but it also requests a range of other information from the aircraft, such as unique identity and altitude using the aircraft's transponder.

What is a transponder?

The parrot system used in WW2, in conjunction with the American "identification friend or foe" system, developed into the advanced transponder systems, which all airliners have today.

Not only are they used by ATC to determine the position of aircraft, but they are also used by aircraft to determine the position of other aircraft around them. Transponders on modern aircraft are also able to transmit important data to ATC such as airspeed and altitude.

The Transponder code displayed in the flight deck of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner (Image by Charlie Page/The Points Guy) — The transponder code displayed in the top right of the screen in the flight deck of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. (Photo by Charlie Page/The Points Guy)

Before each takeoff, pilots are issued with a departure clearance. Not only does this define the departure route which the pilots must fly, but it also specifies the transponder code which the pilots must set, or as it's more commonly known, the "squawk code."

This code is specific to that flight at that moment, not the aircraft itself. The same flight the next day will most likely have a different squawk code.

As we fly from one area of the world to another, we often have to change our code due to conflict with another flight's squawk code. To do this, ATC quite literally asks us to "squawk" the new number they give us.

Types of transponder operation

When operating the transponder system, there are a number of modes available to pilots.

Mode C, or "Mode Charlie," not only sends back the aircraft's position and identification, but it also includes the aircraft's altitude to the closest 100 feet.

Mode S, or "Mode Sierra," builds on the advances of Mode C but takes the system to a whole new level. Aircraft equipped with Mode S transponders are able to share a far greater range of data with ATC, including:

Call sign (e.g. "UAE001")
Altitude to the nearest 25 feet
Indicated airspeed
Magnetic heading
Groundspeed
Rate of turning

This extra information gives ATC a superior picture of what the aircraft is doing, without having to waste precious seconds asking the pilots for the information. It's particularly useful to approach controllers who can use the exact speed of an aircraft to determine if it is going to get too close with the one ahead.

Not only do aircraft transponders share information with ATC, but they also share information with other aircraft. Whilst pilots don't have a need for most of this information, on that one day in a million, it could save their lives.

TCAS

Traffic Collision Avoidance System, or TCAS, uses the aircraft's transponder to broadcast its position to other aircraft. The receiving aircraft then take this information and display it on the navigation display to the pilots.

The TCAS system generates an invisible "safe zone" around the aircraft based on time to a potential collision. This zone isn't fixed but varies depending on how quickly targets are moving toward the aircraft.

The system constantly makes calculations on the trajectory of all the aircraft that it is tracking, ensuring that none of them conflicts with the "safe zone." If it looks like a particular aircraft is heading toward a position where they could become a threat, the system escalates the warnings to the pilots as appropriate.

Depending on the level of threat, there are four ways in which other aircraft can be displayed to the pilots.

Pilots use the wether radar to avoid thunderstorms (Photo by Charlie Page/The Points Guy) — TCAS displays Other Traffic on the Navigation Display. (Photo by Charlie Page/The Points Guy)

Other traffic

Aircraft that are in the vicinity but are not close to being a threat are depicted by a hollow white diamond. Depending on the aircraft type, this may be displayed along with the height of the traffic, relative to the pilot's own aircraft. For example, "-20" means that the aircraft is 2,000 feet below. "+10" means that the aircraft is 1,000 feet above.

Proximate traffic

When another aircraft comes within six miles and 1,200 feet of the pilot's own aircraft, the hollow diamond becomes solid white. Whilst the other aircraft isn't an immediate threat, its proximity means that it could become a threat if either aircraft changes its flight path.

As the normal safe separation is 1,000 feet vertically, proximate traffic is fairly common, particularly when flying in the lower altitudes around the approach and departure. As both other traffic and proximate traffic are common occurrences and pose no threat to the aircraft, they are displayed on the screens without any aural alert.

If there are displays of this kind of aircraft, we make a mental note of them but say nothing more. They are so common that if we don't see any other or proximate traffic on our screens, it's an indication that there may be something wrong with the TCAS system.

However, every so often, we get the next level up -- a traffic advisory (TA).

Boeing 787 TCAS displays. (Image by Charlie Page/The Points Guy)

Traffic advisory -- (TA)

In most situations, a traffic advisory will result from proximate traffic changing its flight path to one which breaks the TCAS system's "safe zone." Traffic advisories are normally triggered when a threat is 48 to 20 seconds from a potential collision.

The whole point of a traffic advisory is to alert the pilots that an aircraft which was previously not a problem, is now worthy of their attention. It consists of the traffic target going from a white diamond to a sold yellow circle and an audio alert of "TRAFFIC! TRAFFIC!"

However, it's important to note that a TA is based on the rate of closure, it does not take account for what the pilots are actually planning to do. The most common cause of a TA is when climbing and descending near to an airport.

Due to the large volume of traffic, ATC will often issue climb and descent clearances of just a couple of thousand feet at a time. Even if a climbing aircraft is going to level off a safe 1,000 feet below the aircraft above, if the aircraft is climbing too quickly, it could break the "safe zone" and both aircraft will issue a TA to its pilots.

This type of scenario is the most common source of TAs. That said, traffic advisories are still fairly infrequent in that an airline pilot may experience a TA once every couple of months.

Resolution advisory -- (RA)

If the TCAS system determines that the separation from the threat may not be sufficient, it increases the warning level to the highest alert -- a resolution advisory, or "RA." This consists of the traffic display changing to a solid red square, an aural alert and a command to change the pitch of the aircraft. A resolution advisory will be issued 35 to 15 seconds from a potential collision.

The key to a successful RA is that the TCAS systems on both aircraft communicate with each other and coordinate their commands. If one aircraft instructs its pilots to climb, the other will instruct its pilots to descend. Once an RA has been issued, it is imperative that the pilots obey the TCAS instruction and ignore any climb or descent commands given by ATC.

Resolution advisories are very rare. Most pilots will go a whole career and maybe have a few. In the 15 years I have been flying, I've had just the single RA.

Pilot's actions

As other traffic and proximate traffic are common occurrences, there is no need for pilots to say or do anything when they appear on the screen. In an approach to a busy airport, discussing other traffic with each other may be useful to build situational awareness and create a mental picture of what other aircraft are doing in relation to your own aircraft.

When climbing out of a busy airport, if other traffic is observed nearby, particularly just 1,000 feet above the altitude to which you've been cleared, a good crew may wish to reduce the rate of climb so that they do not activate a traffic advisory.

If a traffic advisory is activated, depending on the aircraft type, there's still very little for the pilots to do. On the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which I fly, the flight manual directs both pilots to look for traffic using the traffic display as a guide.

The minimum vertical separation is 1000ft (Image by Charlie Page/The Points Guy) — The minimum vertical separation is 1,000 feet. (Image by Charlie Page/The Points Guy)

A good crew may use this moment to confirm which pilot is currently responsible for flying the aircraft (Pilot Flying -- PF) with a call of "TCAS -- I have control." They can then look at their screen and call out the position of the traffic and its relative height. The PF can also use this time to mentally rehearse their actions should the situation escalate.

The other pilot (Pilot Monitoring -- PM), can then look out the window to see if they can visually identify the threat aircraft.

Resolution advisory

If the TA progresses to a RA, things have got serious. Depending on the trajectory of each aircraft, the TCAS system on both aircraft will communicate with each other and calculate a vertical escape path for each aircraft.

When issuing an RA command, there are three initials actions which the TCAS system could instruct the PF to do:

"CLIMB! CLIMB!"
"DESCEND! DESCEND!"
"MONITOR VERTICAL SPEED"

At the same, the display on both the primary flight display screen and in the head-up display change, providing a target to aim for. If a climb or descent is needed, the PF disconnects the autopilot and the auto-throttle and smoothly adjusts the pitch to satisfy the target set by the TCAS system.

If the instruction is "MONITOR VERTICAL SPEED," the PF can leave the automatics engaged and just monitor the situation.

The job of the PM is not only to ensure that the PF is correctly complying with the TCAS instruction but to also inform ATC that they are maneuvering to obey a TCAS RA. This should stop ATC from inadvertently issuing a conflicting instruction.

If both sets of pilots correctly execute their TCAS maneuver, a collision will be avoided. All that is left to do is return to the original cleared altitude and inform ATC.

Bottom line

Very rarely does TCAS need to be used, but on the rare occasion it does, it can mean the difference between a safe flight and a serious accident. To ensure that we are ready for this once in a career event, pilots practice TCAS scenarios in the simulator every six months. Even if this incredibly rare event does happen on your flight, you will most likely be unaware it is happening. It's just another task your unassuming pilots see as part of their role in transporting you safely to your destination.

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Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

More details

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Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Air Traffic Control around the world is more advanced than it has ever been. There are strict rules on how close aircraft can fly to ensure that air travel is as safe as possible.