Disclosed is an autopilot-coupled traffic alert and collision avoidance systems (AP TCAS). The AP TCAS includes a an AP/automatic flight control system (AFCS) that is configured to receive a vertical speed setting after the issuance of a preventive resolution advisory, wherein the aircraft vertical speed setting exceeds the maximum vertical speed allowed by the resolution advisory, the AP/AFCS being further configured to: (1) modify the aircraft vertical speed setting so as to be less than the maximum vertical speed, and relay the modified second aircraft vertical speed to an autopilot system of the aircraft to automatically cause the aircraft to fly at a vertical speed in accordance with the modified second vertical speed setting; and (2) relay a command to the autopilot system to initiate an automatic, corrective flight maneuver if a current vertical speed of the aircraft is within a predetermined amount of the maximum vertical speed.