What should a pilot do if they receive a traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) warning?

When a pilot receives a traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) warning, the appropriate response is to follow the TCAS instructions and resolve the potential conflict. TCAS is an important safety system designed to prevent mid-air collisions by providing pilots with actionable guidance when an aircraft is in proximity to another. The system communicates both the potential threat and the recommended actions, which typically include climbing or descending to avoid the other aircraft.

Adhering to TCAS instructions is crucial because these recommendations are based on real-time data and designed to ensure safety in flight, taking into account the relative positions and velocities of nearby aircraft. This systematic and automated approach allows pilots to respond quickly and effectively during critical situations, overriding other priorities temporarily if needed.

In contrast, descending to the nearest altitude could worsen the situation, as it may not align with TCAS recommendations and could bring the aircraft into a conflict with another aircraft below. Contacting air traffic control for further instructions could lead to delayed responses when immediate actions are required, and ignoring the warning in good visibility could also have dangerous consequences. Hence, compliance with TCAS instructions is vital for maintaining flight safety.