An autopilot-coupled traffic alert and collision avoidance system (AP TCAS) configured to be implemented on an aircraft, the AP TCAS comprising: a flight control system that is configured to provide a first and a second aircraft vertical speed setting; an automatic flight control system (AFCS) configured to provide a first horizontal heading direction setting and a second horizontal heading direction setting, the second horizontal heading direction setting being different to the first horizontal heading direction setting and associated with a subsequent FMS leg; an autopilot system that is configured to automatically cause the aircraft to fly at a vertical speed in accordance with the first vertical speed setting and in accordance with the first horizontal heading direction setting; a traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) that senses a range, bearing, and relative altitude of an intruder aircraft, and, based on the sensed range, bearing, and relative altitude, is configured to issue a preventative resolution advisory that indicates a maximum vertical speed the aircraft should not exceed in order to avoid a conflict with the intruder aircraft and further indicates to maintain the first horizontal heading direction setting; and wherein the AP/automatic flight control system (AFCS) is configured to receive the second aircraft vertical speed setting after the TCAS issues the preventive RA, wherein the second aircraft vertical speed setting exceeds the maximum TCAS vertical speed, the AP/AFCS being further configured to: 1) modify the second aircraft vertical speed setting so as to be less than the maximum vertical speed, and relay the modified second aircraft vertical speed setting to the AP/AFCS system to automatically cause the aircraft to fly at a vertical speed in accordance with the modified second vertical speed setting, and prevent the aircraft from initiating a turn maneuver that would comply with the second horizontal heading direction setting so as to automatically cause the aircraft to continue to fly in accordance with the first horizontal heading direction setting; and 2) relay a command to the AP/AFCS system to initiate an automatic, corrective flight maneuver if the vertical speed of the aircraft is within a predetermined amount of the maximum vertical speed or exceeds the maximum vertical speed. a flight control system that is configured to provide a first and a second aircraft vertical speed setting; an automatic flight control system (AFCS) configured to provide a first horizontal heading direction setting and a second horizontal heading direction setting, the second horizontal heading direction setting being different to the first horizontal heading direction setting and associated with a subsequent FMS leg; an autopilot system that is configured to automatically cause the aircraft to fly at a vertical speed in accordance with the first vertical speed setting and in accordance with the first horizontal heading direction setting; a traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) that senses a range, bearing, and relative altitude of an intruder aircraft, and, based on the sensed range, bearing, and relative altitude, is configured to issue a preventative resolution advisory that indicates a maximum vertical speed the aircraft should not exceed in order to avoid a conflict with the intruder aircraft and further indicates to maintain the first horizontal heading direction setting; and wherein the AP/automatic flight control system (AFCS) is configured to receive the second aircraft vertical speed setting after the TCAS issues the preventive RA, wherein the second aircraft vertical speed setting exceeds the maximum TCAS vertical speed, the AP/AFCS being further configured to: 1) modify the second aircraft vertical speed setting so as to be less than the maximum vertical speed, and relay the modified second aircraft vertical speed setting to the AP/AFCS system to automatically cause the aircraft to fly at a vertical speed in accordance with the modified second vertical speed setting, and prevent the aircraft from initiating a turn maneuver that would comply with the second horizontal heading direction setting so as to automatically cause the aircraft to continue to fly in accordance with the first horizontal heading direction setting; and 2) relay a command to the AP/AFCS system to initiate an automatic, corrective flight maneuver if the vertical speed of the aircraft is within a predetermined amount of the maximum vertical speed or exceeds the maximum vertical speed. 1) modify the second aircraft vertical speed setting so as to be less than the maximum vertical speed, and relay the modified second aircraft vertical speed setting to the AP/AFCS system to automatically cause the aircraft to fly at a vertical speed in accordance with the modified second vertical speed setting, and prevent the aircraft from initiating a turn maneuver that would comply with the second horizontal heading direction setting so as to automatically cause the aircraft to continue to fly in accordance with the first horizontal heading direction setting; and 2) relay a command to the AP/AFCS system to initiate an automatic, corrective flight maneuver if the vertical speed of the aircraft is within a predetermined amount of the maximum vertical speed or exceeds the maximum vertical speed.