TAWS/GPWS

Terrain Avoidance and Warning System (TAWS)

Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS)

Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS)

Definition

A system that provides the flight crew with sufficient information and alerting to detect a potentially hazardous terrain situation and so the flight crew may take effective action to prevent a CFIT event.

Source: US FAA

Description

A Terrain Avoidance and Warning System (TAWS) is a safety net that automatically provides a distinctive warning to pilots when the their aeroplane is, based only on the radio altimeter reading and terrain closure rates derived therefrom, in potentially hazardous proximity to terrain.