A319 flight crew reported a TCAS RA event and a difficult time seeing the visible TCAS solution guidance on the PFD display due to sunlight and dark CRT screens. The crew received a clear of conflict message and continued the approach and landing.
Synopsis
A319 flight crew reported a TCAS RA event and a difficult time seeing the visible TCAS solution guidance on the PFD display due to sunlight and dark CRT screens. The crew received a clear of conflict message and continued the approach and landing.
Narrative
Radar vectors to ILS XX at ZZZ. I was operating as FO and pilot monitoring. Captain was flying with autopilot and auto thrust engaged. Uneventful capture of ILS. Both approach controller and tower had advised of traffic in the pattern at ZZZ1. We identified and reported to the tower that we were visual with the traffic crossing from right to left in front of us. As we descended with the ILS glideslope a monitor vertical speed" RA was generated by intruding traffic in the pattern at ZZZ1; and by now was passing beneath us. It was early morning and the sun was directly in our face; I had sunglasses on and was fully utilizing the inbuilt sunshade. Due to the old CRT screens it was difficult to see what the TCAS commanded vertical speed indication was showing. The contrast between the bright morning sunshine and very dim screens meant I was unable to see if we were inside the required green target range for the TCAS maneuver. The TCAS situation disappeared after only a few seconds and the captain had not even begun to respond to the maneuver by this time. It transpired that the captain couldn't see the required TCAS commanded vertical speed information either. Since we were still stable on the approach; and now clear of traffic; we elected to continue to an uneventful landing.Bright morning sunshine directly into the cockpit led us to wear sunglasses. Despite trying to force the screens to brighten up by shining torchlight into the light sensor; the screens were very dim. This led to difficulties reading critical information in a timely manner. Replacement of the old CRT screens and light sensors can't come soon enough. Had we been required to initiate a complex TCAS maneuver at that point; I would not have been confident that we would have been able to see the required TCAS commanded vertical speed."
Second reporter narrative
Established on localizer and glide slope for ILS; just to the North of ZZZ1 airport. Approach control called traffic climbing in the pattern for ZZZ1; myself and the first officer had visual on the aircraft. Shortly after we received a Monitor Vertical speed". Due to landing east and in to the sun neither one of could make out the guidance from TCAS; the screens were not visible or easily recognizable due the darkness of the PFD's before we could react we received "Clear of Conflict" continued the approach and landed normally. Cause: Congested air space; numerous GA aircraft; landing into the sun; dim and difficult to see PFD's"
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.