Traffic Information Service

AIM ¶ 4-4-17 — Traffic Information Service

AIM 4-4-17 explains Traffic Information Service (TIS): proximity warnings only, no avoidance maneuvers, and pilot responsibility for safe flight.

In Plain English

Traffic Information Service (TIS) is an ATC-uplinked traffic display designed for aircraft not required to carry TCAS. It gives you a heads-up about nearby transponder-equipped traffic so you can visually acquire it — nothing more.

Key points from AIM 4-4-17:

TIS provides proximity warning only. It does not issue or authorize avoidance maneuvers (unlike TCAS RAs).
TIS does not alter or reduce the pilot's authority and responsibility for safe flight.
TIS will not show:
- Aircraft without a transponder
- Aircraft with a failed transponder
- Aircraft outside radar coverage
Therefore, TIS alone does not guarantee safe separation.
No ATC service or handling is based on you having TIS — or an ADS-B cockpit display — onboard.
A "traffic in sight" call to ATC must be based on seeing the traffic out the window, never on a cockpit display.

Operationally, treat TIS (and ADS-B In traffic) as a situational-awareness aid that supplements — never replaces — the see-and-avoid responsibility.

Would you catch this on the written? Try 5 questions below — no signup

AIM Source Text

FAA AIM ¶ 4-4-17

TIS provides proximity warning only, to assist the pilot in the visual acquisition of intruder aircraft. No recommended avoidance maneuvers are provided nor authorized as a direct result of a TIS intruder display or TIS alert. It is intended for use by aircraft in which TCAS is not required. TIS does not alter or diminish the pilot's basic authority and responsibility to ensure safe flight. Since TIS does not respond to aircraft which are not transponder equipped, aircraft with a transponder failure, or aircraft out of radar coverage, TIS alone does not ensure safe separation in every case. At this time, no air traffic service nor handling is predicated on the availability of TIS equipment in the aircraft. Presently, no air traffic services or handling is predicated on the availability of an ADS-B cockpit display. A “traffic-in-sight” reply to ATC must be based on seeing an aircraft out-the-window, NOT on the cockpit display. Previous | Top | Next AIM | ATPUBS | FAA | Send your comments regarding this website.

Read the AIM? Now prove it

Would you catch these on the written?

Five FAA-written-style questions. Instant explanations, every answer cites its source — no account needed.

Live demo · no account needed

1/5

You are flying VFR in Class E airspace at 8,500 feet MSL during the day. What are your minimum visibility and cloud clearance requirements?

Keys A–D answer · Enter continues

PPL5 sample questions — in the app, the drill engine covers 88 PPL topics and every answer cites its source

Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1What is the purpose of Traffic Information Service (TIS), and what are its limitations?

Per AIM 4-4-17, TIS provides proximity warning only to assist visual acquisition of intruder aircraft. It is intended for aircraft not required to have TCAS. It does not provide or authorize avoidance maneuvers, and will not display aircraft without a working transponder or those outside radar coverage, so it alone does not ensure safe separation.

Q2If you see traffic on your cockpit traffic display, can you report 'traffic in sight' to ATC?

No. Per AIM 4-4-17, a 'traffic in sight' reply to ATC must be based on seeing the aircraft out-the-window, not on the cockpit display — this applies to both TIS and ADS-B traffic displays.

Q3Does having TIS or an ADS-B cockpit traffic display change the air traffic services you receive?

No. Per AIM 4-4-17, no air traffic service or handling is predicated on the availability of TIS equipment or an ADS-B cockpit display in the aircraft. The pilot retains full authority and responsibility for safe flight.

Related Paragraphs in Chapter 4

¶ 4-4-1

ATC Clearance

¶ 4-4-10

Adherence to ATC Clearance

¶ 4-4-11

IFR Separation Standards

¶ 4-4-12

ATC Speed Adjustments

¶ 4-4-13

Runway Separation

¶ 4-4-14