Short Term Conflict Alert

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Short Term Conflict Alert (STCA) is an automated air traffic control (ATC) safety net, which alerts controllers to separation conflicts, that might be coming up within several minutes in spite of the other safety nets. This is achieved via a visual alert on the radar display, though some systems also provide an audible alert. STCA is a concept rather than a specific system, there are therefore a number of differing implementations used by ATC providers across the world.

The STCA is just another element in the ATC system beside TCAS, airway and flight plan and can only be seen as a last but important measure in the case of failure of the other safety nets.