How many phases are in the TBAS Airplane Tracking test?

Airplane Tracking runs in three phases: Phase 1 uses rudder pedals only to control the lower reticle, Phase 2 uses the joystick only to control the upper reticle, and Phase 3 combines both at the same time.

What controls move each reticle?

Joystick controls the upper reticle in two axes: push down to move the reticle down, pull back to move it up, left/right to move left/right. Rudder pedals control the lower reticle horizontally: right pedal moves right, left pedal moves left.

What should I focus on during Phase 3?

In dual-input Phase 3, most candidates perform better by prioritizing the upper target (joystick) and managing the lower target with peripheral vision. This helps preserve precision where directional changes are more demanding.

Why do some candidates struggle even with good simulator experience?

Testing hardware is often more rustic than home setups and may include mechanical play. If you over-control, you lose accuracy. Use small, smooth corrections, calibrate sensitivity when possible, and expect slight lag or slack in the controls.

TBAS Airplane Tracking Test: Full Breakdown and High-Impact Strategy

Airplane Tracking is a two-subtask psychomotor test: one reticle controlled by joystick, one reticle controlled by rudder pedals. This guide explains exactly how each phase works and how to train smarter.

Quick Answer

In TBAS Airplane Tracking, you must keep two crosshairs on two moving aircraft silhouettes: the top reticle with the joystick and the bottom reticle with rudder pedals. The test progressively adds workload across three phases (rudder only, joystick only, then both together). Your score reflects how consistently you stay on target under pressure.

TBAS Airplane Tracking gameplay with top and bottom aircraft silhouettes and two independent reticles

Airplane Tracking interface with upper joystick task and lower rudder task

Phase 1: Rudder Pedals Only (Bottom Aircraft)

You control only the lower reticle while tracking the lower aircraft moving left-right. This phase isolates foot coordination and lateral precision with the rudder.

Phase 2: Joystick Only (Top Aircraft)

You control only the upper reticle to follow the upper aircraft as it moves in straight segments and changes direction every few seconds. This phase isolates hand-eye tracking with two-axis stick control.

Phase 3: Joystick + Rudder Together

Both subtasks run at the same time. You must split attention, keep smooth corrections, and avoid over-controlling either reticle.

Advice: During Phase 3, most candidates perform better when they prioritize the top aircraft (joystick) and manage the lower aircraft with peripheral vision. This keeps precision where directional complexity is highest.

Dual-input phase in Airplane Tracking where joystick and rudder are used simultaneously

Phase 3 demands simultaneous control and disciplined attention switching

Use this mapping exactly as you practice:

Push joystick -> upper reticle goes down
Pull joystick -> upper reticle goes up
Move joystick left -> upper reticle goes left
Move joystick right -> upper reticle goes right
Right rudder pedal -> lower reticle goes right
Left rudder pedal -> lower reticle goes left

If controls are inverted on your setup, directions can flip. Confirm your mapping before serious practice sessions.

Airplane Tracking controller settings showing joystick and rudder sensitivity configuration

Controller settings panel: verify axis behavior and sensitivity before practice

Warning: Real testing hardware is often rustic and may have mechanical play (slack). Do not get surprised by this. Use small smooth corrections, avoid sudden jerks, and expect minor dead-zone behavior.

Airplane Tracking scoring is fundamentally a time-on-target consistency problem. High performers are not the most aggressive movers; they are the smoothest and most stable over the full duration.

Phase 1 Goal

Build clean left-right rudder tracking with minimal oscillation around the target.

Phase 2 Goal

Stay smooth through direction changes instead of chasing with large stick corrections.

Phase 3 Goal

Maintain stable upper tracking while keeping lower tracking acceptable via peripheral monitoring.

Airplane Tracking dual-task gameplay showing top and bottom aircraft in motion

Stability over time beats aggressive over-correction

Tension Grip

Hand or leg tension creates noisy control inputs. Relax your grip and apply pressure smoothly instead of in pulses.

Losing Focus After a Mistake

The real score drop often comes after an error, not from the error itself. If you miss one target moment and mentally disconnect, you can lose several seconds of tracking. Stay combative, reset instantly, and get back on target on the very next correction.

Hyperfocusing on One Indicator in the Combined Phase

In the combined phase, over-fixating on one reticle can make you lose the other. Even a few extra seconds of tunnel vision can tank your consistency. Keep a short scan rhythm and re-check both zones continuously, including when one side feels stable.

Three phases: rudder-only, joystick-only, then combined joystick+rudder tracking.

Most candidates score better by prioritizing the upper joystick target and managing the lower rudder target with peripheral vision.

Reaction speed alone is not enough. Instability usually comes from over-correction and hardware slack. Smooth small inputs outperform fast large ones.

Yes. TBAS performance contributes to PCSM, and Airplane Tracking is one of the most direct psychomotor indicators in the battery.

Ready to Practice Airplane Tracking?

Train the combined two-indicator phase, improve your time-on-target consistency, and build better joystick+rudder coordination.

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