Airborne Weather Radar PILOT’S OPERATING GUIDErtiradar.com/pdf/img04a_POGsamplepgs.pdf · Radar Training International’s comprehensive one-day seminar on air-borne weather radar.

Airborne Weather Radar

PILOT’S OPERATING GUIDE

A workbook and reference tool of RTI Airborne Weather Radar Seminars

Airborne Weather Radar Pilot’s Operating GuideCopyright ©2009, Radar Training International, Inc. (RTI)

All rights reserved. Printed in USA.

No part of this Pilot’s operating guide may be reproduced without written permission from Radar Training International, Inc. (RTI).

Objective Storm Hazards Indexing Test ©1989 AjT Inc., used with permission from Archie L. Trammel and AjT Inc.

Cover photograph ©2009, Radar Training International, Inc. (RTI). All radar images ©2009, Radar Training International, Inc. (RTI) except, where noted, Archie Trammel’s radar images, ©1989 AjT Inc. and used with permission.

Book design and packaging: Leslie Eliel Gooseberry Productions, Seattle WA, [email protected]

Note: Only those persons who have attended an airborne Weather radar seminar con-ducted by Erik Eliel and/or who have completed a formal airborne weather radar training course via digital or print media created by Radar Training International Inc. (RTI) are au-thorized to use this Pilot’s operating guide. This guide may not be used in an operational or instructional context by anyone who has not completed an RTI training course, though it may be referenced as a study guide by those preparing to participate in training by RTI.

Disclaimer: This Pilot’s operating guide was developed by Radar Training International, Inc. (RTI). No warranties expressed or implied about the material in this book are made by RTI, nor does RTI make any express or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use. The information contained in the following pages have been obtained from sources that RTI considers to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness are not guaranteed and RTI shall not be subject to liability for human error or defect or failure of machines and equipment. Manufacturer guidance and information take precedence over this pilot operating guide.

Assumptions: Regarding the information in this Pilot’s operating guide, continental USA operations are assumed. The suggestions may not be valid in other geographic areas. For operations outside the United States, please call RTI.

All questions and comments relating to the content of this guide and the training program should be addressed to:

Radar Training International, [email protected]

2818 69th Ave. Ct. NWGig Harbor, WA 98335, USA

Toll free: 888-503-2032 Cell: 425-503-2032

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Introduction

About This Guide ........................................................ 1

Section 1: Preflight

1. Atmospheric Assessment ......................................... 42. Terminal Area Weather Graphic ................................. 63. Preflight Planning .................................................... 7

Section 2: In-Flight Operation

4. Taxi-Out ...............................................................115. Takeoff .................................................................136. Departure/Climb ....................................................157. Cruise – Upper Flight Levels ....................................178. Descent ................................................................19

9. Approach ..............................................................21

Section 3: Principles for Review

10. My Radar ............................................................2411. Expanded Basics ..................................................2512. Evaluating the Radar Top ......................................2813. Tilt-Up Technique (TUT) ........................................3114. Threat Identification Position (TIP) .........................3315. Normal Antenna Position (NAP) ..............................3416. NEXRAD Considerations ........................................3517. Automated Radar Systems ....................................3718. Reflectivity ..........................................................4019. Attenuation .........................................................4220. Avoidance Criteria ................................................45

Appendix A: Microburst Windshear Probability Chart .......50Appendix B: Top-versus-Intensity Chart ........................52

CONTENTS

Information for pilot consideration in the risk man-agement decision process, to aid in understanding the subject or remembering steps.

Note

General reminders of important points covered in the seminar.

Rem

em

ber

Information that alerts pilots to situations or steps that, if disregarded, may result in equipment damage and/or injury or fatalities.!

INTRODUCTION

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1

ABOUT THIS GUIDE

This reference guide is to be used only by individuals who have attended Radar Training International’s comprehensive one-day seminar on air-borne weather radar. Condensing essential information covered at length in the seminar, it is divided into three general sections:

SECTION 1. Preflight: Information intended to assist pilots in getting into the proper frame of mind prior to flight activities by defining specific weather areas around the departure, destination, and alternate fields. The Objective Storm Hazards Indexing Test (p. 5) presents a series of ques-tions and non-radar clues, setting the stage for the proper employment of airborne weather radar by assessing atmospheric potential for a convec-tive explosion.

SECTION 2. In-Flight Operation: Concise information and key concepts in a layout convenient for reference during preflight, taxi, or in-flight op-erations. Do not allow use of this guide to distract from the primary duty of safely operating the aircraft.

SECTION 3. Principles For Review: An abbreviated discussion of perti-nent topics that are covered in detail during the RTI seminar.

Throughout the manual, information that may have particular relevance to a specific topic or phase of flight will be highlighted with one of these three icons:

Section 1

PREFLIGHT

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W3 Wx-WARNING Area: 3 nm. from runway edges

Operating within high-threat environments, including the fol-lowing conditions within W3, entails significant risks:

Virga is present with other indications of a microburst. 3Any portion of an extreme cell is within W3. 3Any cell within W3 is exhibiting clues of significant 3attenuation.The effects of hazardous weather are reported, forecast, 3observed, or anticipated.

W20 Wx-ALERT Area: 20 nm. from runway edges

Hazardous weather within W20:Can produce hazardous conditions; consider modifying 3arrival and departure operations.Can have effects that extend to at least 20 nm. 3

W100 Wx-AWARENESS Area: 100 nm. from ARP

Hazardous weather within W100:Can have a significant impact on departure and 3arrival operations.Is capable of precipitating hazardous weather 3anywhere within W20 or W3.

7Topic 3

PREFLIGHT PLANNING

WEATHER EVALUATION (Departures, Destination, and Alternate)

Evaluate departure, en route, arrival, and alternate Wx. yAugment the aerodrome forecast (TAF) with other weather yproducts.

The TAF is valid for a small geographic area surround- �ing the airfield.

Refer to Appendix A, “Microburst Windshear Probability yGuidelines” (p. 50), for terminal area operations, as appro-priate.

Section 2

IN-FLIGHT OPERATION

IN-F

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The

haza

rds a

ssoc

iate

d w

ith co

nvec

tive

wea

ther

are

a

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nctio

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seve

rity

an

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Twen

ty n

m. i

s con

sider

ed th

e m

inim

um sa

fe o

pera

ting

dis

yta

nce

from

haz

-ar

dous

conv

ectiv

e w

eath

er. O

pera

ting

insid

e 20

nm

. ent

ails

incr

ease

d ri

sk.

As i

nten

sity

incr

ease

s, so

shou

ld th

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um sa

fe o

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ting

dist

ance

.

Nev

er o

ver-

fly co

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ther

if ci

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(upw

ind

pref

erre

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an

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AP

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crui

sing

mid

-30s

or h

ighe

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ells

disp

laye

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side

25–3

0 nm

. will

be

clea

red

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�

less

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5,0

00 ft

., if

clea

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at a

ll.D

ecisi

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ay b

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yond

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Act

ual

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top

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17

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Topic

7

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UPPER

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EVELS

Remember

Remember

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Ha

zard

s a

sso

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ted

wit

h c

on

ve

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e w

ea

ther

may e

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nd

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to t

he c

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air

ab

ove c

ell

.

Ra

isin

g t

he

til

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imiz

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r e

lim

ina

te

gro

un

d r

etu

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incr

ea

ses

the

ris

k o

f o

ve

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an

nin

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lose

-in

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Th

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row

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ea

the

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ay

ex

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eve

ral

tho

usa

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et

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No

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Section 3

PRINCIPLES for REVIEW

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ATTENUATION

Stratus Weather

The absence of ground returns where they should otherwise be (outer yportion of the display) is a strong indication of total attenuation.

Attenuation is confirmed if the outer edge of the returns re- �mains at the same relative distance on the display.

43

Shadows

Convective Weather

The absence of ground returns behind a cell indicates total atten- yuation.

Because radar energy is unable to make the two-way trip �through the cell, its shape and gradient may be grossly misrep-resented. The worst of the weather may reside (undetected) in the shadow.

Embedded Cells

Attenuation characteristics are a combination of the convective yweather and stratus weather characteristics listed previously.

Due to the increase in precipitation intensity, dips in the outer �perimeter of the displayed precipitation may coincide with areas where embedded cells are located.Areas where the intensity is less may appear as a bulge in the �outer perimeter of the weather returns (i.e. the radar energy has penetrated further).

Outer boundary of returns staying in the same relative position

Absence of ground returns (antenna NAP)

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