Zaon XRX Pirep

Traffic awareness is everyone's concern, but so has been the cost of traffic systems. PCAS XRX is the first ever portable, passive, stand-alone collision avoidance system for general aviation to offer direction from within the cockpit. PCAS™, or Portable Collision Avoidance System, is Zaon's solution for providing high-quality, low cost traffic information to the general aviation pilot.

Features At A Glance

• 3-D view Quadrant Direction, 45° increments
• Instant traffic updates with no delays
• Tiny, unobtrusive size (3.9” x 3.6” x 2.7”)
• Completely portable and self-contained
• Digital range, scalable from 6NM to 1NM
• Audio voice alerts for threats and advisories are included,with both Headset-Direct™ hookup and in-cabin output
• Relative altitude, scalable from ±2500 ft to ±500 ft, with ascending/descending indicator
• Designed for metal, composite or fabric-covered airframes,high- or low-wing
• Displays top three intruders
• A built-in altimeter, a built-in compass, and built-in turn/bank and internal thermal sensing provide the highest,real-time accuracy available
• Built-in directional antenna
• Menu-driven interface, with selectable aircraft profiles and advanced calibration options
• Displays the local squawk code, pressure altitude, bank angle, bearing and temperature
• Integrates with third-party moving map and EFIS systems, including Garmin, Blue Mountain, and others

XRX delivers the three dimensions of traffic information that pinpoints where traffic is located; direction, range and relative altitude. The most important job of any collision avoidance system is to tell you what is a threat, and quietly provide information on traffic that is not a threat. An important distinction with PCAS is the difference between traffic detection and traffic alerts. XRX will detect any aircraft in the detection window you specify, but will alert you to traffic that has become a threat based on the aircraft's relative altitude, range, track over time, and ascent/descent status.

Now for the flight test...

I'm solo on this flight today so there won't be much video of the actual equipment in action. The XRX is completely packaged in a hard shell box which protects the unit and makes the transition to the aircraft neat and orderly. Hook up was pretty simple and the start of the video shows the mounting position. It did take some getting used to having it sit in my line of sight. I may move it to my left or right and use the 45* setting, I'll figure this out as I get to use it on my various flights. I changed my screen to show the 3 mile 'zone of safety' ring, I think it helps track targets better. On the left side of the screen it shows the distance and altitude difference from my aircraft to the target and it continually updates. It has various audible alerts that were not to distracting but I will work with that as I get more familiar with the system. I made a video but there is no shots while in the air. Millville gets busy and I much rather "fly the plane" with my head on a swivel then bend metal keeping my eyes inside. I'll have a fellow pilot or Mary ride along next time when I fly. I'll get them to video the PCAS in action.