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Weather Radar

What is Airborne Weather Radar ? Is it required ?

Airborne weather radar is a type of radar used to provide an indication to pilots of the intensity of convective weather. Modern weather radars are mostly doppler radars, capable of detecting the motion of rain droplets in addition to intensity of the precipitation.

Typically, the radar antenna is located in the nose of the aircraft. Signals from the antenna are processed by a computer and presented on a screen which may be viewed by the pilots. Droplet size is a good indicator of strong updrafts within cumulonimbus clouds, and associated turbulence, and is indicated on the screen by patterns, color coded for intensity.

Some airborne weather radar systems may also be able to predict the presence of wind shear.


Weather Radar

 

Is it required to be installed in Aircraft?

 

As per FAA and aviation regulators worldwide, all operators shall not operate unless it is equipped with airborne weather radar equipment. This is not applicable to light weight aircraft (i.e MTOW is less than 5700 kgs)

Weather detection mode:

In the weather detection mode, the radar detects precipitation of water or ice particles present in clouds. Weather targets are colour coded in function of the precipitation intensity (drop size, density, reflectivity of target). The crew interprets the resulting picture. It is therefore of prime importance that the picture be as accurate as possible and representative of the actual precipitation. Only this will allow the crew to make the right assessment and take the appropriate flight path to avoid adverse weather, turbulence and lightning strikes.

Weather Radar couldn’t detect : ICE Crystals, snow, Clear Air Turbulence, Sandstorms.


Weather Radar Display

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