Terrain awareness and warning system

Imagine you're riding your bike and come across a big hill. You might not see it coming and it could be dangerous if you ride down it too fast. That's why bikes often have a little bell or a light to warn you of any changes in terrain ahead.

Planes also need something to warn them of changes in the terrain they're flying over. Sometimes, there are mountains or deep valleys that can be dangerous if the plane is flying too low or too fast. That's where the Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) comes in.

TAWS is a special computer system that is installed in planes. This system uses information about the plane's location and the land underneath it to create a digital map of the terrain. The map shows the altitude of the land and any obstacles that might be in the plane's path.

The TAWS then uses this map to warn the pilots if there are any dangers ahead. For example, if the plane is flying too low over a mountain, the TAWS will sound an alarm and flash a warning on the plane's control panel to tell the pilots to climb higher.

The TAWS can also warn pilots if the plane is flying too close to the ground, flying towards an obstacle like a hill or tall building or even help with landing on runways.

In short, TAWS is like a little helper in the plane that tells the pilots if there are any big hills or obstacles ahead, so they can adjust the plane's flight path and avoid any danger.