Falcon 2000
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 4480; Flight Crew Type 160
Situational Awareness; Human-Machine Interface; Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation - Altitude Overshoot; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure
Upon descent from FL410 to FL330; ATC advised the crew that there was traffic at FL320 ahead. Weather conditions were intermittent IMC. The other aircraft appeared on our TCAS as a red diamond. Our aircraft was on a course that would have us cross directly overhead 1000 feet above. ATC directed us to turn ten degrees right for traffic; PF [Pilot Flying] complied; although it looked like a direct heading conflict; albeit a 1000 feet vertical clearance. As we approached the aircraft; our TCAS advised us to reduce descent rate and the pilot flying complied. In the transition to level through FL333; our Resolution Advisory activated directing us to pitch up and we complied and leveled at FL350. ATC was notified and asked us if we had seen the other aircraft climb. PNF [Pilot not Flying] responded no and told them we were responding to an RA and we were intermittent IMC. Flight continued to a successful landing. Upon a crew debrief it was agreed that in the future if there is a question about a heading it should be addressed with ATC. The crew saw a potential conflict coming and was prepared to react to an RA. A slower descent rate prior to level-off may have helped with the RA.
We climbed approx. 200 or 300 feet and the resolution cleared. The first officer reported the TCAS RA to ATC. After the traffic passed; ATC cleared us for a further descent.
A DA2000 descending to FL330 with head-on traffic at FL320 took evasive action from a TCAS RA; climbing to clear the conflict. ATC had advised about the traffic.