A Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System(TCAS) antenna is mounted on a selected forward portion of an aircraft thereby extending the effective forward range of the TCAS. The antenna and ground plane are tilted relative to conventional TCAS antennas thereby aligning a peak of the antenna's radiation pattern along the aircraft's level line of flight. The resulting increased gain directed forward of the aircraft increases the forward range of the TCAS for both receiving and transmitting TCAS signals. The invention is also useful to extend the range of other aircraft systems including transponders. Alternate embodiments include tilting a conventional TCAS antenna mounted on a middle portion of the aircraft.