What should you do if you lose track of potential traffic during climbs or descents?

Performing a visual scan while utilizing the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) is crucial when losing track of potential traffic during climbs or descents. A visual scan helps maintain situational awareness and allows you to observe your surroundings while actively monitoring your altitude, attitude, and airspeed.

Using TCAS in conjunction with a visual scan enhances safety by providing alerts about nearby aircraft and potential collision threats. TCAS works by sending out signals to other transponder-equipped aircraft to gather information about their position and altitude. When you're unable to see other traffic visually, TCAS can indicate if there's any traffic nearby and provide actionable instructions if a conflict is detected.

This combined approach ensures that you maintain situational awareness and are better equipped to avoid potential mid-air collisions, crucial during critical phases of flight like climbs and descents.