[Pearls Before Swine]

However the official said it would be "extra-ordinarily difficult" for a light plane to crash into a large passenger plane due to collision avoidance systems in larger airliners.

Do these collision avoidance systems work when the airliner is taxiing on the runway? I didn't think so.

Can't these journalists think a little before they dribble out inane feel good (or bad) pronouncements?

[Redcloak]

Also, the collision avoidence systems he's talking about assume that neither pilot involved wants a collision!

[smith288]

They work while taxiing... Itll beep all day instructing Mr Pilot that an insane islamunist is heading directly at them with no intention to stop...

They are force fields.... "Journalists" are morons.

[in the Arena]

However the official said it would be "extra-ordinarily difficult" for a light plane to crash into a large passenger plane due to collision avoidance systems in larger airliners.

You've got a good point. It would not be difficult for a more agile 'light plane' to target a passenger jet.

The collision avoidance systems (TCAS) issues Traffic Advisories (TA) and Resolution Advisories (RA) to the pilot. The TA is a warning to the pilot and the RA is recommended pilot action...this all is dependent on the fact that both aircraft need to have their Transponders turned on and working and the pilots have to take action.

The TCAS provides safety information for the pilot, it will not prevent a collision if pilot action is not taken and it will not prevent a collision if another aircraft is 'purpose' flown into it.

[Bogey78O]

Well I imagine the TCAS on the taxiing aircraft will tell it to drop altitude. Lotta good it'll do. :/

[expatpat]

The collision avoidance systems won't work if the small plane turns off its transponder. This is a no-no near airports, but if you're going to commit murder......

[vox humana]

Can't these journalists think a little before they dribble out inane feel good (or bad) pronouncements?

Please be advised that the words journalists and think are mutually exclusive terms. You should never use them together in the same sentence!